We miss you, Wayne... always in our thoughts,
Jeannine and Hans.
PS. I put the pink teddy bear as my candle just because I figured it would make you laugh:)

The one regret I have Is that I didn't have Wayne in my life for a longer period of time. He gave me his friendship so easily and completely that I knew he was someone that didn't come along often in life. He was generous to a fault and his sense of humor was just freaking awesome. He made me laugh out loud many times. My heart is truly broken. I had never invited someone to my home to have

The one regret I have Is that I didn't have Wayne in my life for a longer period of time. He gave me his friendship so easily and completely that I knew he was someone that didn't come along often in life. He was generous to a fault and his sense of humor was just freaking awesome. He made me laugh out loud many times. My heart is truly broken. I had never invited someone to my home to have dinner with my family that I had only met once. Except for Wayne. After that evening we all looked forward to seeing him. I am so grateful that Wayne let me and my family into his life. I guess my deep regret can also be my biggest stroke of luck, that I did have Wayne in my life, even if it was only for 5 or 6 years. A memory I have to share is one time when he was at my home, we talked about everything under the sun for hours and hours. The next time he came by he had a box of items with him that included his Clash box set and a bunch of NY Ranger signed pucks and paraphernalia from his days working as an EMT. He remembered our likes from our conversation and brought some of his things that he thought we would like to have. I miss him and think of him often.

Wayne and I met many years ago. 1985 I believe, or '84..I remember telling him that we would have "gone out" if I hadn't just started a relationship with someone else.
Instead we became very good friends...and our relationship lasted a lot longer than that "someone else" and I did.

He had special nicknames for me, and was allowed to sleep over my house any time. My parents adored him.

Time marches on and I find it hard to believe that in 30 days it will be one year that he is gone.

Godspeed.

Wayne and I met at Nancy's Wines for Food in New York in the late 1990s. My husband Hans and I considered him to be one of our very best friends. Time just flew by when he was around. He was always helping us with stuff... moving, setting up for parties, going to IKEA... We spent hours playing Scrabble (he almost always beat me), downloading music, making each other laugh. Once I made a pot roast on a Tuesday and

Wayne and I met at Nancy's Wines for Food in New York in the late 1990s. My husband Hans and I considered him to be one of our very best friends. Time just flew by when he was around. He was always helping us with stuff... moving, setting up for parties, going to IKEA... We spent hours playing Scrabble (he almost always beat me), downloading music, making each other laugh. Once I made a pot roast on a Tuesday and invited him over. He thought that was so great, pot roast on a Tuesday. I wish I could cook him a special meal right now, get a great big bear hug and hear his infectious laugh. Once he drove me from NYC to Baltimore so I could be with my sister when she had surgery there. What a road trip that was. He emailed me a very long and bizarre list of snack requirements, which still makes me laugh every time I read it. Wayne, you were one of a kind and I miss you every day. Lisa, the poem you wrote for Wayne is incredibly moving and beautiful. I am so sorry for your loss, and think this tribute is just wonderful.

How such a big guy could have an even bigger heart... A mystery. To come up with a specific memory right now is too difficult. It's still too close. Suffice to say, Wayne was always there for us. Good times and bad. I suppose one of my most vivid memories is the Oshkosh EAA convention in 2005. Wayne was one of my only friends with whom I shared a love of aviation. Being there with him, seeing Space Ship One,

How such a big guy could have an even bigger heart... A mystery. To come up with a specific memory right now is too difficult. It's still too close. Suffice to say, Wayne was always there for us. Good times and bad. I suppose one of my most vivid memories is the Oshkosh EAA convention in 2005. Wayne was one of my only friends with whom I shared a love of aviation. Being there with him, seeing Space Ship One, watching warbirds flying around, including his favorite, the B-17 named Yankee Lady... I have a photo from one of the days -- Wayne and myself looking at each other with that knowing "look where we are" look. I still get that feeling when I'm there. And I will treasure the memory of sharing it with my friend.

Wayne was truly a great friend of mine... we met when we were kids in elementary school. I loved his sense of humor and his wonderfully offbeat way of looking at things. He unselfishly gave me his time, his knowledge... he changed my life in so many ways. You left us too soon Wayne... Love you and miss you!

*A very special thank you to Mrs. Centabar (Wayne's mom) for her insightful words to me after Wayne's passing.

Funny how a virtual friendship came to be a personal one.
We first crossed paths 7+ years ago as a result of our mutual love of 80's music. That initial shared interest took on an added dimension when it became a shared responsibility during a joint moderating stint for a New Wave message board. How amusing that out of all the possible places to hail from across the Internet, we turned out to be literally from the same local LI community.

Funny how a virtual friendship came to be a personal one.
We first crossed paths 7+ years ago as a result of our mutual love of 80's music. That initial shared interest took on an added dimension when it became a shared responsibility during a joint moderating stint for a New Wave message board. How amusing that out of all the possible places to hail from across the Internet, we turned out to be literally from the same local LI community. During our then frequent conversations, we became aware of our fondness and affinity for things aviation, in particular WWII aircraft. We first came to meet for lunch at a diner by Republic Airport just down the road from the site of one of your favorite haunts SPIZE. Again, music and aviation came to be the two key topics interspersed in our conversations. Fast forward to last year (2010) to our last meet up at The American Airpower Museum which happened to net you a random chance encounter with hero US Airways pilot Capt Sully Sullenberger right before my arrival. I had to chide you for not having snapped a pic because no one from the museum actually believed Sully was there. Despite the lack of 'evidence' your candor was proof enough for me that it did indeed happen and when word finally came that he was there, you turned to me, smirked and said DUDE.. I TOLD YA!! I never doubted you my friend..

Not that you lived your life like a candle in the wind but it would have been great to have you around a little longer. We always enjoyed a good laugh whenever we ran into one another regardless of how much time elapsed in between.

The last laugh we shared was on Facebook last year when I rolled the clocks back for your birthday to give you an extra hour. You laughed and thought it was the most unique gift. If only I could turn back time now.

You are missed my friend.

Kevin

There are two things that I'm very grateful for: 1. For having met you. 2. For Facebook because even though you're gone, your legacy and effects on others are so visible.

Ford keeps your vibrant personality very much alive and every time I see a comment or a "like" from him, it echoes you. What a precious friendship you two must've had. What an empty hole your passing must've caused in his life. Watch over him, Wayne. You owe him

There are two things that I'm very grateful for: 1. For having met you. 2. For Facebook because even though you're gone, your legacy and effects on others are so visible.

Ford keeps your vibrant personality very much alive and every time I see a comment or a "like" from him, it echoes you. What a precious friendship you two must've had. What an empty hole your passing must've caused in his life. Watch over him, Wayne. You owe him that.

This tribute page and poem that your sweet sister created are testimonies to the love that your family has for you. You owe them a few decades of Guardian Angelness, since you left so early.

I owe you a big Thank You for all of the laughter and tears that we shared as life made several twists and turns. I'm sorry that I didn't get to see you on my last NY layover while you were alive. Lisa is completely and heartbreakingly correct about not assuming that tomorrow will always be there.

I know that there's music in Heaven and I know that you're okay. I also know that I'll see you again and that makes me smile.

My Uncle i love you so i think of u every day!! i am so filled with sadness that u are not here with us..... Today is your birthday and i miss you so ,but just for today i will remember the life you had with me and the happiness we have shared to over sized easterbunnys and the presents wrapped in newspaper and electrical tape to the music we listen to and books you have read to me i

My Uncle i love you so i think of u every day!! i am so filled with sadness that u are not here with us..... Today is your birthday and i miss you so ,but just for today i will remember the life you had with me and the happiness we have shared to over sized easterbunnys and the presents wrapped in newspaper and electrical tape to the music we listen to and books you have read to me i love you so much my one and only uncle of mine you left this world a day before my son was born but i c you in him so much so hear is a picture of him so u can c how much he has grown all tho i know u are are gaurdian angel and watching over us each and every day well till we u will see each other again i know you will be waiting I LOVE U and HAPPY BIRTHDAY :-) xoxoxo