In memoriam: Doug Kessler

When I graduated high school in 1986, I'm sure I felt like most of my peers; invincible and able to begin a long journey on the road of life. But even before graduation day arrived, my classmates at Pascack Hill High School experienced two introductions into the cold reality of life that would haunt us. During our junior year of high school, one of our classmates committed suicide. Then during the summer between our junior and senior year, another was killed in a car crash involving a train.

Since then, we've seen other classmates taken from us in various ways. I'm sure this makes us no different than other classes from our school, or other classes that graduated the same year which we did. Still, by the time we reached our 20-year reunion in 2006, ten of our class members were gone. Perhaps just as innocuous is not just how many have passed on, but how they succumbed. One to breast cancer; one involving a shooting outside a nightclub; one involving a gas station robbery where they were at the wrong place at the wrong time; one to HIV; two from drug related issues; one from brain cancer; and another reportedly from an accident swimming in the ocean where a strong tide current slammed him into a pier.

And now I've learned of yet another loss recently. It's my sad duty to report that Doug Kessler passed away in March after an 18-month battle with colon cancer. Unfortunately by the time Doug was diagnosed, the cancer had already begun to spread to his lymph nodes, liver, and spine.

Greg Blue filled me in on some of the details of Doug's passing. But what I was struck by, in even the briefest of messages, was the impact Doug had on Greg in those final months. Greg made sure to tell me about Doug's spirit in battling the disease, and remaining active in terms of athletic pursuits. He also shared with me how loving a husband and father Doug was to his wife and their two children. I know that Doug and Greg were part of a tight circle of friends from high school that still remained friends 22 years following graduation day.

So, I wanted to acknowledge Doug's passing today with this posting. Doug and I played on soccer and baseball teams together when we were little kids, and he was always a gentle and kind person. I'm very saddened by his loss, and wish to extend my condolences to his wife Ivy, and their children Ryan and Emily. I also want offer my apologies on their loss to his parents and his brother Andrew, as well as all of his close friends from our class. I also understand from Greg that donations can be made in Doug's name to the following:

JCC of Central NJ
1391 Martine Ave.
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Greg also wanted me to mention that if you make a donation to please notate that it is in memory of Doug Kessler, because that money will be applied towards the creation of a new recreation facility being built there. I know that times are tough financially for all of us, but any positive gesture on your part would be greatly appreciated.