R.I.P. My Dear Friend Bruce
Forgive me if this is scattered, I'm quite shook ...
I first encountered Bruce once he began playing back in ATG II. (almost 20 years ago?) He saw me as #1 here, Frank Bailey #2 and Bruce quickly became #3 while admittedly setting his sights on taking me down. He was pompous, arrogant and brutally honest as Petrosian, and we butted heads from day one. I'd tell him "oh Bruce you might not be #1 but to me you'll always be #2" He took the dig as intended
. He made plenty of enemies his first couple of years here. Even threatened to show up at my house once...Part of his reason to changing his name to Mex344 (I bet not many of you knew he briefly played under that name) was to give himself a fresh start with much of the community. He ofc eventually settled on the Last Druid. Through intense battles and plenty of colorful language we came to respect each other. The respect opened a new type of dialogue and from that we then we became true and good friends for many years...Man I was over my head with Bruce, he was brilliant, but patient with me, and we could, and did, talk about everything, even though I'm normally quiet and private here ...I've only got about 6 friends here and Bruce was one of them...and at some point a few years back if anyone asked, I'd tell them Bruce became #1...Bruce was the best...With deep sadness I mourn his passing...In my mind and my heart Bruce will always be #1