My friend Phil had been renting my condo for the last two years. We were relatively close. Not best buds or anything but would grab an occasional meal, text or talk at least once a week, and I would usually see him at least twice a month.
This morning I got a call from his best friend telling me that Phil had a massive heart attack last night and died before paramedics could get there.
He was middle aged, a smoker, and around 30 pounds over weight but I didn't see this coming. I last saw him on Monday. I had some BBQ for memorial day with my dad and went over to the condo to get something out of a storage until I have there.
He told me this story; He had called his brother who he had been estranged from for over 10 years earlier in the day. He said "Brandon, we're both getting older in age and we don't have much longer to live. I'd hate for one of us to die before we made things right"
They talked for over an hour. He said the conversation went well. I gave him a hug and told him I would talk to him soon.
Last night at 4am, he apparently started having chest pains. He called a mutual friend (who lives 30 minutes away) and asked him to come over. He didnt call 911. Our friend started calling Phil while he was driving over. No answer. He then called 911 himself. When he got there, 911 had taken the hinges off my door to gain entry and found Phil dead. They attempted to revive him but I was told paramedics knew he was dead and not coming back but that this was protocol they had to follow.
His brother is flying in today from Cali with his wife to identify the body and take care of his affairs.
I am supposed to play the circus at 7pm today. Initially I wasn't going to. But after talking to my dad and some friends I am probably better off playing instead of staying home and thinking about this and grieving and just getting more depressed.
I need some advice if anyone can offer it. All the bills were in his name. How do I go about transferring them back into mind? Actually just the power. The cable can just be cancelled. Do I need a death certificate? I can only think you can't just call and say "hey so and so died, please turn off their utilities"
Also, he had a lot of stuff at my house that I know no one will want. Clothes, trinkets, etc. Would salvation army pick it all up when the time is right?
I am just overwhelmed. I got my cry out of the way. And the only way I can function is to start thinking ahead to all that needs to be done.
Going to head out soon and try to eat something before circus starts at 7pm. Will update on twitter.
GS
ZoD