Friday, October 3, 2008

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Cy Rawls passed away peacefully this morning at 9:51 am in the company of his parents and a few close friends. Please check back for information about the visitation tomorrow night and a memorial service in the future.

99 comments:

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts are with his family & friends.

DC Nahm said...

Cy, I miss you.

Anonymous said...

Cy will live on in our memories, in the collective, in our actions and the expansion of our hearts from having known him.... we will never forget you. Forever changed, With love.

Anonymous said...

What a deep, painful loss. The world was a better place with you in it, Cy.

juanvelcro said...

Condolences to his family and friends. I will miss seeing his face around town. I didn't know him very personally, but it was always clear that he was a very special, genuine, and most of all very good person when I talked to him. What a loss. Much love and peace to Cy, his family, and friends.

Anonymous said...

This is terrible news. I have been amazed at the amount of support there has been for Cy these past couple months. If I were to have half of the love that I saw for Cy, I would feel lucky - I'm really glad that he got to see this from everyone.

Anonymous said...

Rest In Peace, sweet fella.

Anonymous said...

heartbreaking.
we all love you cy.

one of the most beautiful things i've ever seen- everyone coming together to celebrate their love for cy.

cy. unforgettable.

CY RAWLS will be the nicest, coolest and strongest angel ever ever ever ever ever.
ever ever ever

Anonymous said...

CY RAWLS!
he is the best.

eshep said...

what a wonderful example of how to live.

the world is a better place for cy having been a part of it. he will continue to be a part of it.

my thoughts are with his family and friends.

e.s.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Thank you for being in my life, Cy. You'll be missed by so many.
- Nancy Howell

Anonymous said...

I didn't even know him - but wish I had, having been captivated by the story of his all-too-short life.

My prayers are with his family and so many friends.....

Anonymous said...

my condolences and sympathies to his family and friends...

this is certainly a sad day...i will miss you cy!

mmc said...

no one will ever forget cy, and we will all miss you so much. my thoughts and my prayers are with his family & friends.

jenn said...

Good Bye Cy Rawls, we will all miss you so much.

Anonymous said...

I am so grateful I was able to finally meet and talk with Cy several weeks ago. Through all of you I've learned what an amazing person he was, and because of this blog I am inspired to carry on the work and the love that has been demonstrated here, in honor and memory of Cy. My thoughts are with Cy's family and friends.

Unknown said...

You will never be forgotten...

We will miss you!!!

elizabet said...

Goodbye Cy.
I miss you.

Shannon Morrow said...

There are no words to convey the beauty of Cy's being and his spirit, but I'm smiling and on the verge of tears as I think of Cy.
I have a public art installation called The Listening Garden up in Durham Central Park right now - it's a peaceful place to sit an enjoy the music that comes from the natural world and from deep within ourselves. I am making a sign to dedicate The Listening Garden to Cy for the remainder of it's existence. It will be up until Sunday the 5th. If anyone wants to stop by and put mementos or reminders of Cy in the garden, I will take pictures of what you bring for his family, and will make sure to collect the offerings to give to his family, as well.
Here is more the site for more information:http://thewhirligigmusicproject.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

You will be missed Cy

Char said...

A sad day for the world. We'll all miss you, Cy.

Anonymous said...

Bye Rawls. You made the world rock way more than it would have otherwise. I'll miss you.

Unknown said...

Cy was the coolest, most generous, most genuine person. I never took the opportunity to tell him that in person. I wish I had.

I will never, ever forget him.

Anonymous said...

Miss you Cy.

Ivan

RIKK said...

Cy, thanks for everything. Miss you already.

Molly said...

broken-hearted to hear this devastating news.

much love to his family.

Maggie Dickson said...

My heart goes out to Cy's family. Our community will always remember him with love.

Anonymous said...

damn damn damn

Dan said...

I'm glad to have called Cy my friend. I'm glad to have been able to share in his passion for Carolina sports and rock shows.

Peace Cy, you are missed.

Anonymous said...

Cy Rawls! I miss you -- thank you for being you, totally unique, one in a trillion gazillion. Much love to you and your family! Sarah Carrier

MJW said...

I'm so sad. A sweet, funny, caring character. It hurts.

So long, Cy. I'll miss you.

What can we do now? Flowers? Donations to his folks? Anything?

Anonymous said...

You will be missed, Cy. It was an honor to know you.

Anonymous said...

The only thing that I find comfort in, is that Cy did what Cy wanted to do up until the end. He also knew how we all felt about him. I know all of you who live in the triangle (and some beyond) have had Cy sightings these last few months. He went to more shows this summer in the condition he was in, than I did being totally healthy. Last Saturday there was a benefit at the Pour House that Paul Siler put together. He realized his band wasn't going to be able to play, I realized mine couldn't, so we decided to assemble some folks and have Cy pick a set of covers for us. The Cy Rawlstars. Cy decided that he would like to sing a few songs with us. There was caution the whole time, and we kept stressing to him that he shouldn't if he didn't feel up for it. He just kept saying, "no, I'm good." He came to practice with us last Wed. and had a blast. I can't express how mixed my feelings are about that experience. He got up on stage Saturday night, he was supposed to sit on a stool, but he stood and sang two of his favorite songs with us. It is so unreal to me that he was just there, singing, and now he's gone. It must have been a terrible strain on him, but he didn't complain or put anybody out. I feel a lot of guilt that he used up so much energy to do that, but there was no way he wasn't going to. Cy was Cy. I'll never attend a show without thinking of him. He was way more than that. Thank you Cy.
Love, Charles

Dave said...

Cy, you'll be missed but definitely not forgotten. I know I'm a better person for having known you. Keep rockin'.

Unknown said...

"The only thing that I find comfort in, is that Cy did what Cy wanted to do up until the end."

Amen to that.

Anonymous said...

Cy gave unlimited warmth and friendship to so many people. Everything he did brought people together.

I'm glad that he was a part of all of our lives. I'll miss him.

Margaret said...

I was so hoping that somehow he would appear at CMJ this year as he always does...
I'm just so glad that he had a chance to know how much everybody cares about him.

Anonymous said...

this hurts.

Anonymous said...

Cy, you brought us all a closer.
We're better for knowing you.

Jason

Anonymous said...

you'll be in our hearts, cy. we'll miss you.
-chris

Cantwell said...

While it is profoundly sad and infuriatingly unjust that Cy died so young, the one scrap of good luck he had was the chance to receive all the love and well-wishes from folks over the last few months. Most of us will probably not get that chance before we check out.

I'm glad we all got to tell/show Cy how much he means to us.

Cy Rawls forever.

Molly said...

taking what Cantwell said to heart.

tell somebody you love them today, while you still can!

Anonymous said...

Man, I'm going to miss running into you in so many random places, it was always great to be able to do that. Put a big grin on my face every time I saw you. Glad we are friends, Cy. I am going to miss you.

DPlotner said...

Cy will be missed. The man was an "enigma." The impact he had on his friends is amazing, and well evidenced by the support that so many offered him these past few months. I am sure he is at peace, and that he will always be loved.

-dp-

Hepstyle said...

Thank you Cy for bringing out the best in so many people.

Unknown said...

thoughts of love and respect for cy and his family coming strong from chicago. what a truly wonderful human being . . .

KFC said...

Thank you for always making me feel like I didn't totally suck.

I miss you.

Anonymous said...

I look back on all of the fun times I had with you and realize how much I took them for granted. Sorry I didn't say goodbye.

Anonymous said...

cy, i will miss you very, very much. thank you for being my friend.

jessnorthcakalakka said...

Cy will be missed and my thoughts are with his family.

tracy said...

dearest cy - i cannot even begin to imagine how much i will miss you. who is going to laugh at everything i say? i will miss your smile most. where will i be without tra-cy? i love you so much. RIP. i am glad i got to hold your hand until the end.

Anonymous said...

I had thought that the world had beat me down to a jaded nub, but all these people coming together over this has shown me that friendship and love will conquer all. May Cy's sweet jumper continue to fall on the Carolina Blue courts in heaven. We will miss you forever.

Fletch

Jermdemo said...

is anyone from up north (NYC/Philly/etc) thinking of driving down for this weekend? lemme know leipzig@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Dang, now I'm crying at work.

Anonymous said...

Cy Rawls! There's always a tendency to accentuate the positive in spite of the negative about someone when they pass, but you can't do that with Cy because it was all positive. You just cannot say enough good things about the dude.

I'm so glad I got a chance to say good-bye to him (I was trying to pretend like it was a see you later, but I knew that it was probably a good-bye) when I saw him in September. It was at a rock show, of course, and I didn't recognize how this skinny, frail little dude in a funny hat could possibly be Cy Rawls until he gave me a big hug.

My thoughts are with Cy and his family. I wish I believed in heaven so that I could think I can go see shows with Cy and listen to him tell hilarious stories about the time he drove to Philly to see Danzig, etc. when I meet up with him there.

Anonymous said...

Cy! I miss you. It's been hard to know what to do today after hearing this news. Linc, Ben, Lauren and I all felt the same way so we had lunch together and told stories about you. I toasted you but then I remembered that you didn't drink. Did you ever see that video of you at our high school's bandfest? You were amazing.

Love, Neill

Anonymous said...

I think one way of measuring a person's accomplishments is by the effect they have on others. By that light (& others), we can all see that Cy was a great man indeed. A great, kind, & exceptionally sweet man. I'm so glad we all got the chance to show him how much love & affection & warmth he inspired. He will be missed & remembered.
My heart goes out to Mr. & Mrs. Rawls, who are enduring something no parent should ever have to. I hope they can take comfort in knowing they raised a son who changed the people around him in the best possible way.

Unknown said...

love you, miss you, cy, and your amazing, amazing smile.

ariel j said...

Aside from my condolensces to his parents, family and friends, I think Richard said it all:
"Cy was the coolest, most generous, most genuine person. I never took the opportunity to tell him that in person. I wish I had."

Whew...you will be missed

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts are with Cy's family and friends. How very sad :(
Bryan and Jessica Harris

Anonymous said...

Goodbye, Cy.

Anonymous said...

There's nothing to say that hasn't already been said. There's a big hole in the world with you gone, Cy. We'll all miss you more than we can realize right now. Here's a link to an excellent post by a fellow blogger of Cy's on another site that is almost entirely devoted to silliness, except for right now.

http://audubonpark.blogspot.com/2008/10/cy-rawls-forever.html

-Ben Spiker

Bob said...

"There's always a tendency to accentuate the positive in spite of the negative about someone when they pass, but you can't do that with Cy because it was all positive. You just cannot say enough good things about the dude."

Amen to that.

Goodbye, Cy. You were a rock star in every sense of the word.

Local shows won't be the same without you.

Anonymous said...

Goodbye

Anonymous said...

rest in peace cy
j

concerned shopper said...

i will miss cy most for his spontaneity and how i could always count on him to keep me updated on cc deville. here's to the fun times we have all had with cy and to the amazing, fun times he got to enjoy with so many friends these past few months. i can tell you he personally told me how "flattered" he was at the "outpouring of love and support". we will miss and always remember him.

Anonymous said...

Cy was one of the classiest and nicest guys I'll ever meet. He was my wingman on my first date with my wife Megan.

We weep for his family. A better man than us.

Anonymous said...

He was the guy I was most likely to see at every single show I went to, and yet he never failed to put a big smile on my face every time... I deeply regret not having seen him recently. A great loss. RAWLS.

-Alex

Bartholomew said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

http://audubonpark.blogspot.com/2008/10/cy-rawls-forever.html

Anonymous said...

Cy was one of the most beautiful souls i've ever had the pleasure of meeting. always a kind ease and gentle spirit, and very thoughtful of others. an absolute blessing for him to be in this world even though it was a short time. his life was a poem, he definitely had a rhythm and a beat. he will always be here, he was Love. dear beautiful friend, you will be missed.
christie

Barry said...

You crammed in several lifetimes in less than half the time, brother -- well done. We're all better for knowing you. Love you Cy.

Anonymous said...

Cy, you were the best roommate I ever had. I wish I'd understood you then as well as I did later. Then I might have realized how fortunate I was and learned a few more things from you than I did. Goodbye, Cy, and thank you.
Love, Nate

Anonymous said...

oh no buddy, i'm going to miss you like crazy. we love you man..

Anonymous said...

we're holding you and your family in the light, cy, with love.

Anonymous said...

So so sad. Sending our best to Cy's family and friends. Sherry, Bob, and Ava

Anonymous said...

It is impossible to overstate the essential goodness of Cy Rawls.

I hope his parents take some comfort in the fact that Cy's legion of heartbroken friends will always remember him with love.

Unknown said...

I got the news late this evening, having been away from my computer and most forms of modern communication for most of the day.

Just sitting here tonight and reminiscing, I've been moving back and forth between laughter and tears. But plenty of smiles and laughter for sure.

We will all miss you Cy, and I hope that wherever you are you get a good internet connection so that you can see how significantly you touched the lives of so many people. But you already knew that, didn't you? You had to. You would just never admit it.

If I could offer up something as a small tribute, I would say that up until a few weeks ago I had never purchased a Carolina blue t-shirt.
I had owned a few, that people gave to me unawares, but I never really wore them. But when I purchased my "Cy Rawls Has A Posse" t-shirt at the Superchunk show, I walked over to Cy and he pointed at the shirt in my hand and just smiled that smile. "I know that had to be tough for you" he grinned. I just shook his hand and said "no problem."

But no, it was not tough at all. I'll wear that shirt with pride.
Hell I'll wear it when Carolina plays Duke...at least up until the Devils lose. But really what are the chances of that? And I would still wear it anyway.

I will miss you my friend.

-martin

Unknown said...

i'm honoured to have known you cy. rock on, wherever you are.
mike mcritchie.

Jon Carter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jon Carter said...

Dear Cy, Thank you for your love, friendship, and humor--it impacted my life, years ago, and it's still a part of me today--what might have been heavy about those formative high school years was made so much lighter by your smile and laughter, two elements that drew people together around you then, and now. Rest in peace brother--we'll miss you.
Carter

Paul said...

Goodbye Cy. Jenn and I enjoyed every moment we had the pleasure of spending with you. You are the greatest.

Euphonic Bliss said...

I didn't know you. Cy, but my heart goes out to your family and friends. I've read all the wonderful things people have said about you and I must say...without even knowing you...you are a mighty fine man...and from what I understand, heaven has rock n roll shows. I'll meet ya one day!

Anonymous said...

Cy, you were a wonderful person. I'm glad I knew you. You will be missed.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the support over the years, Cy. I regret never really getting to know you during that time. I am so glad I played that benefit for you and your family. MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST BE WITH US ALL DURING THIS TIME...

Anonymous said...

Rest in peace, Cy. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing you, but it's clear you were an extraordinary guy. I've been so moved by all the love this town has for you. You should be proud to have touched so many people. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.

Unknown said...

Who else leaves you a CD on your doorstep when they live six hours away? Cy Rawls, that's who.

We will all miss him so much, and are better people for having known him. Much love, and my thoughts are with his family, Claire.

Anonymous said...

after having some time to think i'll write this. cy, i feel really lucky to have known you. you were one of kind. they way you supported your friends and encouraged their creativity was truley amazing. it's going to be tough with out you around, but atleast i have my memories and i got to know one of the coolest people ever, you cy rawls. best wihes to his family and friends. seanb.

Anonymous said...

Cy is my hero. and I will never forget him.
All my love to Susan and Frank.

Anonymous said...

I feel like the world is a much lesser place without him. But as Eden said the world is a much better place because of all the ways in which he touched the lives of so many of us. I always thought that he was like a really interesting character from a really good book. In basketball he used to always choose me to guard so that he could apply his relentless defense and shut me down. He drove us past a huge traffic jam on I-95 coming home from an Iron Maiden concert in DC by driving in the HOV lane even though it was totally blocked off. And of course we didn't get pulled over. He came to every party I ever threw. He is so deeply a part of the North Carolina that I miss ever since I moved away. I have countless good memories of him, that I could just keep describing. Once for my birthday Eden asked all of my friends to make a gift for me. Cy took a basketball, spray painted it gold, and then spray painted the Rush logo on top of that. I will treasure that gift and always think of Cy Rawls.

Anonymous said...

Cy was a complete saint and deserved this less than anyone I can think of, although I am glad he had time to see and hear how much everyone thought of him. I'm sorry I wasn't in North Carolina to see him and wish him well in person these last few months.

Chaz said...

i'll miss ya at all the shows. it was always great seeing you out. you will be sorely missed around here. i can safely say that much of the music and nightlife that goes on here now will be in dear memory of you. -chaz.

Sweetness said...

i had the pleasure of knowing Cy only somewhat briefly but there have been very few people if any i've ever known where i felt this sense of genuine warmth and kindness come so effortlessly from someone i didn't know all that well.

it really struck me at the time that just knowing people like that are out there making the world a friendlier, more interesting place is such a rare treasure. he seemed like someone you'd want to go on a road trip with after only talking to him for 5 minutes. that's humbling beyond words.

my thoughts go out to his friends and family. i won't forget you Cy.

Mike

Unknown said...

rest in peace, cy. you left us too soon.

eden said...

My mom once inscribed a book for my sister with this: "Always find joy, always give joy." It sticks with me as a fundamental, necessary truth that is also more difficult to live by than it should be. But Cy was that way. I think he's the only person I've ever known that truly seemed to find and give joy -- indiscriminately and unconditionally -- on a daily basis. To 'be more like Cy' is how I will personally honor his memory, the grief of all those who loved him, and the incredible example of his life and light.

Anonymous said...

Cy,
Rest in Peace~
We will ALL miss you bunches~


Jamie Bowles

Anonymous said...

Cy,

I'm gonna write this to you. Not about you. TO YOU, because I can still feel your mischievous presence in my heart, our home and in the Triangle area at large.(I always thought of you as kind of like the Gandalf of these parts, like you always had an eye on everyone, and TWO when you could spare them.)
The Rowe family will never be the same without you. You were one of us. A thoughtful son to my parents, a loyal best friend to Michael, a loving foil to Kari and a bad-FUCKING-ass big brother to me. You were also a great chauffeur for all our drunk asses after our hundreds of dinners at Dos Taquitos, (especially the time Mom got mad at you for taking a left from the far right lane at high speed) and a true Greek every Xmas eve. Remember when I put that mask on my head, couldn't see, and accidentally stomped on all of Kari's parents Xmas presents? I think that's the hardest I ever made you laugh and I admired you so much that I was especially proud. I think that may be my happiest memory of all. I'll never forget it. I'll never forget that the last thing you said to me was a joke. I'm going to live the rest of my life with your hunger for life (and food) as my compass.

I'm so much less scared now that I know you'll be waiting for me at the clearing at the end of the path. I'll bring you a taco and I expect a first class introduction to John Lennon, whom I assume will be just as charmed by you as all of us.
Opa, Cy! and may the force be with you.

Love forever,
Adam

Anonymous said...

Still thinking about you Cy. Missing you. Don't forget us over here.