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Claude

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Claude's Candy Corner: Giant Bomb Life and Death

 

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I wanted to write something for you the Giant Bomb faithful and my fellow video game loving brethren. My wife passed away today after having a stroke early Monday. Why am I doing this you ask? Because Giant Bomb became my place to be when my wife's health took a turn for the worse. At the same time Jeff was fired from Gamespot, I had to quit my full time job to concentrate on my wife and become her caregiver. Jeff's blog and later Giant Bomb gave me that safe haven for fun and video games. I was 43 years old at the time and now I'm sitting at 47. I've played a lot of video games in my life starting with the great Pong. Well, Pong was kind of simple, but you know what I mean. 
 
My wife had a chronic disease called Lupus and with that many illnesses manifested themselves. She was diagnosed when she was 18 years old, and we started dating when she was 24. I was 23. Even with all the health issues, I saw her become a mental health therapist and she was still practicing part-time at the time of her death. June of this year would have marked twenty years of marriage. I loved her dearly and always will.
 
Being that Giant Bomb is just a click away on the internet, it's safe to say I've read all the well wishes and good thoughts coming my way. Being a member of Giant Bomb has meant a lot to me. I've been up and down emotionally and sometimes I can take out my frustrations here good and bad. Sometimes I feel great creativity in writing my strange and obtuse blogs. Other times I try to help and be a good guy. And then there's the forum fun, odd polls and maybe just a little bit of trollism hidden in there. I've met many people here that I consider friends and would enjoy sitting and chatting about life and video games.
 
As for the community, don't let anyone tell you you're just the internet. I'm a firm believer in speaking your mind and letting your opinion be heard. I believe in Giant Bomb and I believe in you. So let your freak flag fly Giant Bomb. I ain't going no where. Don't ban me, bro!
 
Thank you all for the good thoughts. And remember that the internet is not such a bad place, we're just going through growing pains because our world is getting smaller. 
 
Claude
266 Comments

267 Comments

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Virago

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Edited By Virago

Oh Claude, you're in my heart as always dear friend. Many hugs sent your way!! <3

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Jeffsekai

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Edited By Jeffsekai

Holy shit. :(

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Canteu

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Edited By Canteu

Damn. I really don't know what to say, as if saying anything would help at all.

We'll always be here Claude.

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Deranged

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Edited By Deranged

Man... it's one of the hardest things to bear in life to see a loved one pass away. I know that personally but I won't go into it because it's depressing enough.

My best wishes to you mate and I hope you pick yourself back up!

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Rowr

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Edited By Rowr

My condolences claude, i'm sorry for your loss. Being expected doesn't make it any less painful and i'm sorry.

Your presence at giantbomb from the start has made it a better place, and for me personally the place that it is in my heart and the way i'll always remember it from the good old days, from the friendly way you have always approached on the forums to the (always hilarious) subtle to not-so-subtle trolling not to mention the occasional drunk blog :P

Although people tend to take an anonymous approach to forums, you are right they are absolutely real life (virago and myself can say better than most) and don't ever forget the friends you have here.

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Scooper

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Edited By Scooper

My condolences.

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Justin258

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Edited By Justin258

I'm sorry for your loss, Claude, and wish you the best of luck in years to come!

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jacksukeru

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Edited By jacksukeru

...

*slow clap*

You're a good man Claude, I hope you'll get through this ok. For this moment, you'll have my thoughts.

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sweep

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Edited By sweep  Moderator

It's hard to articulate how genuinely upset I am to hear this news. You are one of the weirdest, most abstract motherfuckers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I am truly sorry that you have to go through this.

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Pabba

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Edited By Pabba

I'm very sorry for your loss, Claude. :(

Stay strong, as you obviously are.

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deathstriker666

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Edited By deathstriker666

We'll always be here for ya, Claude. Stay strong and keep loving that god-damn Wii

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Trilogy

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Edited By Trilogy

You're a stronger man than I am, Claude. I don't want to even imagine being in your position but I can imagine how much strength it takes to share this stuff with a bunch of people you haven't meant on a website about video games. Good luck, sir. I'm glad you're sticking with us.

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RVonE

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Edited By RVonE

I've tried writing this message over and over again, but nothing comes out quite right. My condolences, of course, but it hardly seems enough, nothing seems enough. I wish you and your family strength.

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SeriouslyNow

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Edited By SeriouslyNow

My Dearest Claudio Beardkinski,

My thoughts are with you. I hope you're catching all the positivity being sent your way bro.

Remember keep your chin up and your beard down.

Much Love.

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Slaker117

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Edited By Slaker117

I'm sorry for your loss, Claude. You are truly an institution in this community, and for that, you have our sympathies.

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TheSouthernDandy

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Edited By TheSouthernDandy

So sorry to hear that Claude :( glad you're still here dude it wouldn't be the same without you.

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yyZiggurat

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Edited By yyZiggurat

That was a great post. Sorry for your lose, Claude.

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cookiemonster

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Edited By cookiemonster

That was really touching. Best wishes mate.

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FancySoapsMan

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Edited By FancySoapsMan

Wow, I can't imagine what you're going through :( 
 
but as you can see GB is very fond of you and I appreciate that you took the time to share this with everyone

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mfpantst

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Edited By mfpantst

The shadows pass and the grass holds still.

- Condolences, Claude

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Karl_Boss

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Edited By Karl_Boss

Sorry for your loss Claude, condolences to you and your family.......stay strong.

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Nux

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Edited By Nux

Stay strong and remember the power of the Other Motherfucker.

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catcatcatcatcat

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Edited By catcatcatcatcat

Best wishes Pal.

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gamer_152

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Edited By gamer_152  Moderator

I don't know what to say Claude. You're a user on this site I care about and this is genuinely very sad news. If this blog post is anything to go by you're keeping your chin up remarkably well, and I hope you carry on with life as best you can. Never stop being Claude.

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Cloudenvy

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Edited By Cloudenvy

I was almost tearing up at the end of that post. D:

I wish you the best, Claude!

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Oni

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Edited By Oni

Damn man, I don't know you very well but condolences. I admire how you seem to be dealing with this. I won't say stay strong, but yeah... I don't know what to say. Good luck.

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turboman

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Edited By turboman

Sorry to hear the news, Claude. I would say that you're in my thoughts and prayers... but I know that you'd call me a pussy for saying that so I'll just keep my mouth shut.

I'll always enjoy having you around on these forums, and I hope you know that I'm still counting down the days when we finally meet in real life.

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Getz

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Edited By Getz

Your wife was lucky to have you, and I'm sure that she was glad to have spent those last 20 years with you. Don't forget the good times, especially now.

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Masha2932

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Edited By Masha2932

My condolences mate. Stay strong.

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mustachioeugene

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Edited By mustachioeugene

So sorry for your loss mate, you have my condolences and are in our thoughts.

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Pezen

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Edited By Pezen

Dear Claude,

There are days when ones world is put in perspective by looking through the lens of someone else's situation. Today is one of those days. The warmth with which you speak of your wife and how long you two have been with each other is inspiring and genuinely flat out wonderful. Couples that care for each other like that are what I strive to achieve in my relationships, though I'll admit I haven't been that successful just yet but it's a progress as with all things. It's always a shame to see tragedy strike at such a gift, and my thoughts are with you proportionally more than I know you personally. Your post is tragic but filled with hope, and I wish nothing but the best for you and yours.

And you can bet that I'll always ride with the freak flag high, I don't know any other way to be.

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Damian

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Edited By Damian

You're an amazing dude, Claude. Your wife must have been an amazing lady.

My condolences, man. May she rest however she wished.

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poisonmonkey

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Edited By poisonmonkey

Sorry to hear the news, Claude my condolences and best wishes

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s-a-n-JR

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Edited By s-a-n-JR

I'm sorry for your loss, Claude. Stay strong duder.

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cornbredx

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Edited By cornbredx

That sucks man. My condolences for your loss.

Keep it positive, though, as best as you can.

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yoshimitz707

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Edited By yoshimitz707

That is really awful. I'm sorry for your loss but you're the amazing Claude so I'm sure you'll make it through this.

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rmanthorp

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Edited By rmanthorp  Moderator

+1 here for well wishes man! There is such a huge community behind you and we are ready to hear it all! You are a great man and I have the upmost respect for how strong you are being. I know if the same thing happened to me I would be a mess I don't think I would be able to express my feelings so well through text like that. My thoughts are with you duder and stay strong. You have certainly done a huge amount for this community to have left a huge and unforgettable impression on myself and many others.

I'm sure she was a wonderful woman and may she rest in piece.

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Brendan

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Edited By Brendan

I'm sorry.

Keep on living strong.

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Pop

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Edited By Pop

Damn man. Stay strong duder.

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randiolo

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Edited By randiolo

My deepest condolences. I cannot comprehend weight of your loss. Stay strong.

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deactivated-5d61ff6f14b61

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Just being able to go on the internet and write a coherent sentence shows you're tougher than I am in situations like this. Kudos.

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LordAndrew

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Edited By LordAndrew

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. You have always meant a lot to us and we're here for you, Claude. You will always be our other motherfucker. Stay strong.

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Hosstile17

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Edited By Hosstile17

I am really sorry, Claude. I don't post a large amount on the forums. But, you are a constant source of smiles and chuckles as I daily stalk the forums, without much in the way of posting. As Matt Rorie would say, "It's been a long road". Your post was filled with the same optimism and forward thinking that will get you through this and know that we are all here for you. Even though most of us will still make fun of you liking the Wii so much.

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Wacomole

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Edited By Wacomole

Damn, mate.

That's truly saddening news to hear.

I'm pretty sure everyone that's ever encountered you here at your second family on Giant Bomb will be wishing you all the best.

Stay Claude, Claude!

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OmegaPirate

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Edited By OmegaPirate

Speechless Claude - just - speechless :(

You know where we are <3 x

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PK_Koopa

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Edited By PK_Koopa

I'm not really sure what to say, or if anything I say will actually help, but by the looks of how you wrote that post I think you're gonna be alright.

I'm just a lurker, but I've seen and loved many of your threads. I'm glad you were able to share this with us too, and I'm really sorry for your loss.

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Ghostiet

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Edited By Ghostiet

Strength, man. Strength.

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Sackmanjones

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Edited By Sackmanjones

Best wishes to ya mate. I can't imagine what your going through. I think it's amazing how supportive an Internet community can be and I'm proud to be apart of it. Again I'm very sorry for your loss, keep your head up. Your wife was very lucky to have someone like you

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deactivated-57beb9d651361

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I've been with my girlfriend since I was 17 (currently 23) and the thought of losing her makes me feel ill.

That you were with your wife for more than 20 years? Man, I can't even imagine the feeling of losing your partner. At least you had all of those years together, though.

Huge condolences, man.

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OllyOxenFree

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Edited By OllyOxenFree

Claude, even though I thought you were a crazy old bastard, the loss of your wife is truly saddening. My condolences.