Dear Catalin

I'd been missing our regular chats, texts, and emails for a couple months and wondering what you were up to.  I figured you were busy with work as you sometimes are and expecting an end of day phone call any time.  I was very sorry to hear that you had such a good reason for not getting back to me.  Life is simply not fair.

I first met you in 1999 at a Yardi computer course for SQL programmers.   We hit it off right away and I enjoyed becoming friends with you and all the times we spent together.   I used to tell my friends and co-workers here in Edmonton about this "amazing" person I had met.   You seemed so much larger than life with all of your accomplishments, energy, and interests.   I confess to initially not believing some of your claims to fame.  How could one person have done so many things.  Ski patrol, military, whirlwind engagement, racer, robotics, advanced systems and computing.   As I got to know you though I was convinced and even more deeply impressed.   So much so that I set my ringtone for you as the Mission Impossible theme.  

I would find it so frustrating when we went karting that I always got the slower kart.  You'd show me the line then pull aside so I could pass, but before I knew it you'd be zooming past on the inside corner.  Then we'd swap karts and you'd just do it all over again, smiling the whole time.

We had a lot of great adventures over the years.  Skiing at Tremblant, many laps around the karting course, mock-skydiving in the wind tunnel, firing off a few rounds at the gun range, the Candian Finals Rodeo, and of course, lots of walking and a few good glasses of wine.  

I was so happy that you visited me for my birthday week in 2012 and apologize again for the incredible winter storm of the century that greeted you.   You were never one to let circumstances get you down so we carried on regardless.  That was a great week.

I will miss you deeply my friend, and sincere condolences to Emilia and your daughter.