Late last night we received a phone call from the police department. One of our managers (my uncle owns a few Hotel and Motels) passed away. He wasn't just a manager. He was a good friend.

We spend some time over there takling to the police and trying to aid them in contacting our friend's next of kin. Unfortunately, he was very secretive. A former marine who had so many great stories to tell. All we know is that he has two daughters and a son.

He was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago and passed sleeping on the sofa in his house.

I am trying to do the best I can to reach his family, but that is impossible, we have no names, no phone numbers no address. This is a person who has received numerous medals, and he should get the proper, military funeral. Unfortunately they won't do anything unless this is initated by next of kin.

Our family is very sad and I am trying to help my uncle today to get some things squared away and to try to find someone in our friends family.

This morning when I entered this board some of the saddness was washed away by the splendid humor you guys always checker around here. For that I thank you, for it was a difficult night.

Thanks for listeing guys. This shows how fast life can end.

Scott

Just trying to help.

And since you said you need cheering up:

My friend had a dog with no legs which he called 'cigarette'.

Why? Becuase every day he used to take him out for a drag.

(I hope I didn't offend anyone, I'm not trying to make light of a serious situation)

We have some very savvy people on the board.

Camillu, you are so funny. Thank you for cheering me up. Much appreciated.

Jack, and the rest of you, his name was Joe Goodall. He lived in Long Beach Ca. WE know he has two daughters and a son. His wife, before she passed away, was Asian. I think, I am almost sure, she was Japanese. Last we heard was that one of his daughters lived in New York.

That's all I got right now.

Thanks for your sympathys and help.

You guys are really incredible. Greater human beings one cannot find.

Scott

You might try 1800ussearch.com. It's a fee service, but it's supposed to provide you with relative's names and addresses.

Hope that helps

You're best bet will be if you have his Social Security number or Military ID number. With that information, any decent cop should be able to track down next of kin.

Failing that, consider the following:

Also check any pension or life insurance policies. These often have the names of beneficiaries who are usually kin.

Also check old phone bills for long distance records. These often have phone numbers of kin or friends who may know next of kin.

With a military ID number the VA may have some information related to his family, especially if he married his wife over seas and brought here to this country while stationed there. You will certainly be able to contact other members of the armed forces that he served with and they may give you further information to lead you in other directions.

Cancelled checks can be a valuable resource as they often have next of Kin or acquaintances as payee. The routing numbers on the back can tell you what general region of the country it was cashed in as well as which bank did the cashing.

Health Insurance policies are seldom issued without a ton of valuable information hidden away in them. Even admittance to a county facility can offer information as admittance clerks are notoriously nosy.

Any lodges or fraternal organizations may also have information on his past, although they are likely to be reticent in giving such information to a non member.

In short, unless he has taken deliberate steps to conceal his past, you can eventually track somebody down. Even if he has, with enough time, you can crack it if you have his SSN#

A guy was washed up on a deserted island, where he lived alone for 15 years. When a rescue ship finally arrived, he ran to greet them. He exclaimed, "I'm so glad to see another human being! At last I can go home again!"
The ship's captain noticed three huts on the island. He asked, "What are those huts?"
The guy said, "Well, that one's my house, and that other one is my church."
The captain asked, "What about the third hut? What is that one?"
The guy replied, "Oh...that's the church I USED to go to..."

BA-DUM-BUMP!

I am reduced to the size of ants by the response of this family. Truly I am blessed to be part of this great society.

Some avenues suggested above have already been traveled, without much success. Yet other's are quite beneficial and will be attempted. It is only unfortunated that it is a weekend and a lot of offices are closed.

The matter is now out of the hands of the police, and in the hands of the county mourge. No idea what, if anything they are doing, which is why we are working so hard on this.

Will keep you posted and thanks everyone for the suggestions and jokes.

You have my sympathy Scott.

A: Anything you like....He can't hear you!