RIP Allen Wilson

[Moderator1]

Very sad stuff, died at 49. I did not know Allen, but heard only great things about him. I did have a chance to meet his wife Lisa, now the SE in Buffalo. Condolences to the family and all those at the News.

http://www.buffalonews.com/deaths/local-obituaries/article654586.ece

 

[Fran Curci]

That is very rough. The obituary is very nicely done. Allen Wilson sounds like quite a class act.

 

[pseudo]

Jerry Sullivan: Football, family tugged at writer's big heart

Perfect, Jerry. We'll miss you, Big Al.

 

[henryhenry]

two grafs in the obit stand out as terrific writing:

Allen Wilson was blessed with all of the underrated "soft skills" that make a successful journalist.

He was a great listener. He was sincerely curious about everyone. He made people see that he was genuinely interested in whatever they had to say. He rarely turned the focus of the conversation on himself. He had to earn everything he got in life, so he wasn't judgmental with the people he interviewed. He empathized with people across all social boundaries.

 

[JR]

Saw the tributes to the man on Twitter.

In addition to a moment's silence at the Bills game, there were statements not just from the organization but one from the players.

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Bills-family-feels-loss-of-respected-reporter/8d3ccfd9-9c4d-48d3-b678-7ed1b8c4572f

Part of it:

So on behalf of the guys in our locker room, his presence will certainly be missed. Allen was an all-around great guy. The Buffalo News not only lost a good writer but they lost a good man. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family at this time.”

In front of his usual spot in the press box the Bills put a vase of roses and a framed picture of Mr. Wilson.

Sounds like he was beloved by everyone.

RIP

 

[pressmurphy]

Allen was a great guy. He worked hard for everything he got but never had to work at being a stand-up guy and great friend to many. That came naturally to him.

 

[pseudo]

Info on services, if anyone needs it:
http://obit.amigonefuneralhome.com/obitdisplay.html?id=999048&listing=Current

 

[beardpuller]

Nice, decent man who was determined to be a good father to his daughter. Taken from his family with his daughter 4 years old. Just awful.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

PK had a very nice mention of Allen in MMQB today.

 

[pseudo]

Last night, Tim Graham posted some thoughts on Facebook. He thought they were important to share, and I agree. Reprinted with his permission:
https://www.facebook.com/Tim.Graham.ESPN/posts/317758924920440

I've steered clear of social media since Buffalo News colleague Allen Wilson died Saturday afternoon. After reflecting, I want to share something about him I'll cherish always. And I have a request ...

Allen's last words to me were delivered at what must've been a terrifying time. We'd just held the benefit for him at Ilio DiPaolo's. The night was uplifting and came shortly before he was to undergo a marrow transplant that we hoped would conquer his leukemia. The next morning, he learned his perfect-match donor no longer could help. The donor, Allen's brother, had a previously undetected condition. The transplant was canceled.

A couple days later, Al sent a note to say he loved me. I'm sure he told many others the same. But to read those unexpected words -- from one unrelated man to another -- landed flush.

A man facing death obtains a certain wisdom we might know but frequently take for granted. It was important for Allen to tell me how he felt.

Expressing affection while we're still able should be important for all of us. As such, I have a favor to ask: In tribute to Allen, tell at least one person for the first time that you love them. Men especially. Nobody ever would dare call Allen less of a man for telling coworkers and friends that he loved them. That, in fact, made him a bigger man.

I love you, too, Al.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I knew him, but not well... I was in a notes-sharing group with him and we traded info a few times when the team I covered played the Bills.

It's very sad. Way too young...