Mahoney, Ronald

I first met Ron at a gay dance at the Galleria on August 17, 1980; and I remember vividly the instant we met and his first words to me as our eyes locked on each other: Well, hello there! From then until July 1981 we were practically inseparable and grew to love each other deeply. Then I went to South Korea to serve in the U.S. Army until July 1982 and came back to San Francisco (SF) only to find out that Ron had found a new lover, Bob McElroy. To say I was devastated is to put it mildly; but I was then transferred to Virginia, where I stayed until August 1983. I returned to SF, renewed my friendship with Ron, and went on various day excursions with him, such as a horseback riding stable near SF, until I moved to Honolulu, HI in July 1984 for work. I kept in contact with Ron by letters and phone calls and last saw him in March 1985 in SF, when he was suffering from various conditions related to AIDS and his CNS toxoplasmosis. I can remember the last instant I saw him alive in March 1985, gave him a loving kiss on his forehead, and told him, I love you very much. He called me one last time in August 1985 from SF to Honolulu and said, I am SO tired. Then I called a mutual friend in SF in late October and found out Ron had just died on 10-24-1985. I screamed, No!, and began to cry uncontrollably for Ron, my only lover and a beloved and loving friend. He was only 39 when he died. I miss him every day and often think back to our wonderful times together, which seem just like yesterday, although they are now over 30 years ago. RIP, my dearest Ron. I hope to see you and your beloved Dalmatian, Chelsea, again in heaven.