Tim Petitte, You’ll Truly be Missed May 7th, 2009
Tim and I had known each other virtually for close to 9 years. We met over IRC when I was still attending college at Eastern Michigan University. We had common taste in music and movies though we frequently debated which were the better and worst movies in the Criterion Collection, or whether trance music was better then house music. We drifted in and out of contact for a few years but within the past six months we spent many hours together in another virtual world. The World of Warcraft.
It’s hard to imagine how someone you’ve never physically met can have such an impact in your life, and how them leaving in such an abrupt matter can be so devastating. We spent hours a day talking over Ventrilo, a popular VOIP client, planning our adventures through the lands of Azeroth or rehashing the same tired debates. His easy going, laid back, selfless personality was immediately welcomed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. He truly was one of the reasons for logging in and revisiting the same virtual piece of World day after day.
Some of my friends who haven’t caught the very addictive and contagious bug that is WoW don’t understand why I spend so much time doing what I do. It’s not just the game itself that’s the draw, it’s the friendships you make along the way. It’s difficult to understand unless you’ve walked in similar virtual shoes. Spending hours a week with the same 25 people, experiencing the same virtual victories and defeats creates a close bond. Even friendship. The initial draw to upper echelon raiding in WoW is the gear, the loot, the purples. Over time that becomes sidelined to hanging out with friends you’ve never met in person. Sharing those victories and defeats, regardless of how valid they are in the real world.
When we first met, Tim and I, our friendship consisted of text on a screen, in a chat window, with a community of people who shared common interests. As technology progresses it widens the interaction you can have with someone you’ve never met physically. Until the horrific and inexplicable events from last night I could see “him” on the screen and hear his voice over my headphones. I got to laugh, scream, and complain with him and his purring cat almost daily. Interestingly enough, I came to know him just as well, and in come cases better then I know friends I’ve had since 9th grade in real life.
In, and out, of the game I learned that he had a great job and a bright outlook on the future. That he had two adorable cats, a loving family, a house in the country. And a motorcycle he loved to ride.
At 9:21 PM yesterday I got a phone call from a police investigator from the central New York area. I was informed that a good friend of mine was in a severe motorcycle accident and the outlook wasn’t good. Having been the last person to contact him, and his family unreachable, I was the first person to get the call and I spent the next 4 hours frantically trying to reach anyone who would be able to contact his parents.
Hours later, I found out that Tim Petitte had passed away at University Hospital. His parents didn’t find out for another nine hours.
Tim, I wish I had gotten to know you better. I wish I would have made the time to meet you in real life. I wish you could have met Laurane, and Pepper, and my not so talented cat Stoli. I wish I could have met your two cats, visited your house in the country, and rode your bike. You’ll be in my thoughts as long as I continue to take breath. I cherished our friendship.
Tim Petitte, you’ll truly be missed.
I apologize, as I can’t find your name on this.
I’m a coworker of Tim’s, a friend of the family, and also received this call last night. Thank you for these words – I’ve printed them for all of us here at our small shop. I’ll give his girls some love for you.
Well said. I find it amazing how attached you get to a voice and some text on a screen. Friends are friends and Tim will be missed.
I got there shortly after it happened. Idiot in the van pulled right out in front of him. Nailed the driver’s side door.
I also worked with Tim, Carrie just showed me your post – Tim used to tell me about you guys and how he would have his girls purr into the mic during down time in the game, he definitely loved playing WoW with everyone. We will miss him so very much.
Well said kop. My wife and I will both miss him dearly.
Thank you so much for writing this. I am Tim’s Step-sister. Your words have been very comforting to our parents. We’re still in shock, unable to understand that he’s really gone. There was so much potential for his future…
We know how much he enjoyed his online gaming. Thank you for being his friend for those 9 years. My prayers are with you as well, as losing a friend, even one you never physically met – is never easy.
Nice tribute. But, man, such a shockingly horrible tragedy. I know his grandmother. She has now lost her daughter (Tim’s mom) and her grandson.
Thank you for opening up a place for everyone to come together. I met Tim through our line of work. We could always pick up the phone and have a good laugh. I will miss chatting about how we were positioning ourselves for the next step in our career. Tim will be missed.
Doug
Omaha, NE
I am Tim’s Uncle in MA. Your words have been of great comfort to us. While the internment ceremony is going to be very quiet, my mother would be quite pleased if you would attend. Unfortunately, we don’t know when that will take place. Tim’s body will be released for cremation today and it isn’t clear when that will take place.
Please call me at 508-583-7750. If I’m not in let me know how to reach you by phone. Don’t reply by internet. I use it mainly for business purposes and won’t necessarily be checking my mail.
Thank you again for your comforting words.
This is again from Tim’s Uncle. Would whoever posted that he or she knows my grandmother please telephone me as well. My number is on my post (or whatever you folks dcall these things) to the writer of the blog. Would others please respect our need for privacy at this time and not contact me.
Thank you all very much.