Last night as we were leaving Ultimate, I received a text message on my phone from Anna-Mariah Kelly informing me that Toby Coate, longtime Juneau resident and all-around awesome guy died while fishing on a river on Prince of Whales Island.
Naturally it comes as a shock. Within the last 9 months alone (since September) there have been 4 deaths of people that I know. Jody Watson, Kenneth Natkong, Anne Shima, and now Toby Coate.
Jody’s death hit me pretty hard. I had grown closer to her as a friend (I was essentially trying to get to know her before instigating a romantic relationship), and also, with her as the first death, it was a more serene atmosphere. I had given her the Dream Giver for Christmas after we talked once in the hallway in egan. She was working on becoming a nurse, and was nervous of past history in her family catching up with her. (Alcoholism, etc.) I remember her Mother sending me a note about the book and the impact that it had on her. I had no clue. It rocked the Student Accounts area where she was working, and from that I wound up working to help in the Agency Contract area. She died in a head on car accident; pronounced dead at the scene. She had just turned 24. My age at the time. I think of her each time I cross Brotherhood Bridge where the impact took place.
I knew Ken peripheally. He usually was in a pleasant mood and often times came into the Helpdesk for assistance, especially after he purchased his first laptop. He died suddenly, in his sleep. He was 32(ish).
Anne Shima was the sister to Jason Shima who I knew throughout school, and daughter to Noel Shima, who has, for a long time, been active in Juneau soccer. It’s an additional tragedy that this had to be layered on top of the mother of the family passing recently of cancer. She died also in a car accident; this time a T-bone type impact. The marks are still on the Back Loop road right at the Montana Creek intersection.
And now Toby… I spent the time to write up a Myspace bulletin to announce his passing to fellow myspacers, perhaps it’s easiest if I just copy and paste:
“For those of you who know Toby, you know that he is a man of committment and love. Integrity and strength of character are his trademarks. In his numerous roles throughout Juneau he has been closely involved with many people. I personally have seen him connecting with people at camps, through ministry efforts like BCM, and of course as the UAS Student Government President. An impressive repretoire of influence and example.
That said, I bear the unfortunate news that he drowned today in a river while fishing on Prince of Whales Island.
I’m uncertain yet what arrangements are being made for a memorial or otherwise, but your prayers, well wishes and good thoughts for his wife of 6 months, family and friends are greatly appreciated.
I encourage you all to celebrate his life and the many great memories he has left with us.
If I can help in any way, whatever that may be, please don’t hesitate to call. My number is 425-417-4073.
My deepest sympathies,
-Cody”
So as you can see, his mark on the world was vast and greatly positive. Many people will have troubles with his departure because they don’t understand how bad things happen to good people. Sometimes I question that too, but I’m reminded, from my own experiences with my father’s death, that pain and victory are often tied into the same package. How funny, he was fishing when he died: seining a river. Drawing a net across a habitat to catch fish to feed others. And here we sit, mourning his death when we need to recognize that he was a fisher of men as well. He drew a net larger than we know throughout his community and helped others to realize that eating food is well and dandy, but being fed spiritually is vastly more important. We all knew him to be a passionate, strong, loving man. How little did we know that his message would be more strongly imprinted on our hearts from an event such as this. Thanks to Toby for his constant example of integrity, character, and faith; something which we all could stand to be more solid in.