Flashing: Obituary

Time. Time is going to be a huge problem for this project. When I was doing the Moose In The Closet time was never really an issue. Once I got into the habit of writing little memoirs I found I was able to bang out first drafts in ten minutes. For this project, however, there's a ton of research to go into each piece, even for something as simple as an obituary. Between research and idea generation and development, I'm lucky if I have thirty minutes left over for drafting and rewriting. I'm going to have to dedicate several hours over the weekend to researching the genres and forms I'm committing to so that I'll have more time over the week to actually write the stories.

Anyway, here's an obituary. Obituaries are so formal and lifeless, I had to plant clues in the piece to tie it back to the original story. I hope you enjoy it, and for more Flashing stories you can go to this link.

___________________

James "Jim" K. Torres Jr. (261 words)

James K. Torres Jr., Age 39, a resident of Alexandria, VA since 1998, formerly of Brooklyn, NY, died Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the George Washington University Hospital, Washington DC after a courageous two year battle with Sporadic Fatal Insomnia.

He was born February 20, 1969 in Brooklyn, NY.

Loving husband of Britney X. (nee Kidd) Torres of Waltham, MA, whom he married May 25th, 2007; beloved father of Jesse and Reilly; devoted son of Jacqueline and Phillip Torres; wonderful brother of Margaret Torres-Tanner of Brooklyn, NY; special son-in-law of Julia and Frank J. Kidd; fond brother-in-law of Mike Kidd of Killeen, TX; adored uncle of Alex Torres-Tanner.

Jim grew up in Brooklyn, attended P.S. 29 Elementary School and was a 1987 graduate of Edward R. Murrow High School. He held a degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and had been employed with Northrop Grumman in Alexandria since 1992, most recently as Senior Project Manager.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman and food aficionado. He always appreciated time alone in Shenandoah, but hated to be away from his wife and kids once he finally settled down.

Visitation Wednesday, March 25, 3:00-8:00 P.M. at Everly Funeral Home, 1500 West Braddock Road, Alexandria. Services will begin Thursday, March 26, 9:15 A.M. from the funeral home and will proceed to a 10:00 A.M. Mass of Episcopal Burial at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3601 Russell Road, Alexandria. Interment: Private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: James K. Torres Jr. Children's Education Fund.

For information: 703.555.1213.

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