Epicurus Emmons (Marcel) died 10th March 2011.

I'll open this with a shocking message sent to us yesterday.

"It is with the deepest sense of loss that I have to inform all of our friends here on Second Life that, after 18 months fighting with a brain tumour that kept coming back, my darling Epi passed away at 8.55 p.m. UK time on 10th March. I was at his side holding his hand talking to him and comforting him. My mother, sister and daughter [who he considered as his own] were with me.

I will forever be grateful that Fanci brought us together and that we shared our lives for what time he had left.

I will never forget him or the love we shared because - I carry his heart in my heart and I always will."

Pippa Rexen
March 2011

---

Over the years i have sat in many a boat with 'epi' (Marcel), he truly loved Second Life and the joy it brought him not only in-world but in his real life later. He quickly became a respected member of the sailing community and ran the original yacht club at Fisher's Island for a period of time. This is where i first met him. Because i liked wacky things in Second Life i attended some sailing classes at Hollywood YC. There i met a number of people, one of which was Abella Beck, who had a store selling sails on the island in Sailors Cove. She said you like nutty things I know someone like you and teleported me over to Fisher's Island - many years ago now - She said, "this is Beejee and Epicurus," they were two Dutch guys who really enjoyed what SL had to offer. We instantly hit it off and we firm friends from that day. That moment was probably a turning point for me as until then i felt very lost in there.

I sold epi my very first product in Second Life that i built in a sand box called a 'Woot Airhorn'.

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Woot-Air-Horn-Party-sound-Boat-Sound/326271

I said, "here what do you think of this?!!!" Epi sitting at his desk in the club headquaters there at FI said, "thats cool i'll buy it from you!" "$100L!" I said, "nah thats ok make it half price," LOL, and those horns sold in their droves and set the creative spark going - never looked back.

So he was also encouraging of others to make the best of SL as well as a mentor to many sailors who needed a careful hand of guidance he could offer.

I worked with him on a series of training images for his clubhouse here is an example.

Shortly afterwards i became interested in filming in Second Life and again after the America's Cup for 9th.com video he was instantly interested in producing a little video short about sailing in and around Fisher's Island and here is that very film. Of course in comparison to the wedding video later it is less quality but it does show epi enjoying what he did most and it is his boat crossing the line at the end - appropriate considering.

If you would like to stream this in Second Life click here
http://blip.tv/file/get/Surfwidow-ThePianoManWithEpicurusEmmonsMp4398.mp4
if this video is unavailable to view click here
http://blip.tv/file/get/Surfwidow-ThePianoManWithEpicurusEmmonsMp4398.mp4

His love of the Dutch Barges and sailing them in SL encouraged me to create a scale sized version, he oversaw every aspect of that, and to be honest that's more his boat design than mine :) Even today if you take out my Dutch Barge

https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/DUTCH-BARGE-10-SKUTSJE-Sailing-Boat-Racing-Wind-Powered-Bargain-Price/326253

You will see on the free demo version available at my mall in Boogdolt, Weston Marina on the sails it says 'SKUTSJE MUSEUM' that he created some time ago.

Relationships

I am sure he had no shortage of girls after him in SL but one in particular captured his heart and he became smitten' that of Pippa, a charming and lovely girl who has been a tower of strength through all his illness.

He then married the love of his life Pippa Rexen in real life as well as Second Life.

At that time we were all aware that he was gravely ill, just at a time he had launched his book in real life based on philosophy of Epicurus (ironically). So an intellectual man too.

His Book (now also available in English is called 'De remedie van Epicurus', and the publisher is ASPEKt, NL. The author's name is Marcel Verweij.

His wedding I knew may well be his last appearance in Second Life so i went all out to create them a video of it as a wedding gift to them both but most of all Pippa so she had something wonderful to remember of him in SL.

Here is that video if you would like to watch it.

Here is the video and the opening music track is particularly poignant :'*)

Larger online streaming MP4 version available here (not recommended for full screen viewing download

the DVD quality file for that).
http://blip.tv/file/4035923

Streaming in world mp4 Quicktime version here
http://blip.tv/file/get/Surfwidow-PippaAndEpisSecondLifeWeddingMp4StreamingQuality512.mp4

Streaming Hi Bandwidth HiQ .wmv version
http://blip.tv/file/get/Surfwidow-PippaAndEpisSecondLifeWedding815.wmv

There is more on his wedding here
http://surfwidowsweb.blogspot.com/2010/08/epicurus-emmons-and-pippa-rexen-wedding.html

During his illness his dear wife Pippa kept us fully informed as to his progress, the ups and downs, the surgery and the moments of hope, that extended the short precious time they had left together.

I'll leave you with some more photos of epi doing what he did best :)

(This was very hard to write :'*( ).

There will be a memorial in due course in SL to celebrate his life perhaps a big sailing regatta?

There is a memorial Skutsje here in SL pop by and pay your respects.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Clipper%20Bay/157/243/22

It reads

"Fear of Death is unecessary. That is precisely why this gives me peace of mind and a positive and meaningful life."

The quote is very apt and something his life was influenced by.

Bon Vent! My friend!

We'll miss you.

Surfy

Some more lovely photos of him