Roger Christie
Aloha. Deep breath ...
I was shocked and saddened to see the news that Richard has passed from this life.
This is Roger Christie a long-time friend of Richard's who we (Yazzie and I) jokingly called "Vinnie" because of his east-coast smarts and special attitude which we loved and laughed with. Vinnie's gone? How could that be? It sounds impossible.
I've been in federal prison for the last 50 months for operating The Hawai'i Cannabis (THC) Ministry on oceanfront in Hilo for many happy years. Thankfully Richard got to see and visit our Ministry and enjoy some of the good times we had there. While getting back online I saw the memorial notice button on the Hawaii Tribune-Herald website and thought I'd take a look. What a terrible surprise to see the photo and name of Richard Ortega there!
Richard lived the good life to the best of his ability and he lifted-up those close to him as I can confirm. He loved his precious family, his good friends, his beautiful artwork, his gourmet Cannabis, his amazing(!) cooking and his famous Kona party hosting.
I've got many special memories of Richard Ortega that I hope to always remember. Life on Earth is fleeting. Life is special., challenging and more. Richard made my life better and happier and more complete.
Thanks for being you, Richard! I hope you're having a blast 'over-there', wherever that is. Maybe, hopefully, we'll meet again in the infinite afterlife and have some more fun. Til then and beyond ...
Lots of love to you!
Roger
www.thc-ministry.org
www.the-last-marijuana-trial.com
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