This has been a very difficult week for the San Diego GLBT community. For many, the news reached us as a phone call. It came sudden and sharp: Last Sunday, March 13, our dear friend John McCusker passed away while vacationing at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort. He was only 31 years old. Left in shock and disbelief, our community mourns the death of one of our best and brightest.

There is no easy way to discuss the loss of someone like John. Owner of Club Montage and ReBar, he was connected to many people. As a leader in the community and member of numerous organizations, his reach extended beyond the lines that formed outside his club every weekend, touching the lives of our leaders, activists, business owners – everyone. It is simply not enough to say how deeply he will be missed.

John’s friends and family spoke to the Gay & Lesbian Times about how he will be remembered. In voices soaked with emotion, many recalled how John simply shined – sparkled. It is hard to represent here how much love was expressed.

John catapulted into the community at the tender age of 21, capturing the admiration of many, as West Coast Production Company (now Club Montage) grew to be one of the top clubs on the West Coast. Ambitious and talented, John McCusker quickly became one of San Diego’s new “up and coming.”

It was John’s philanthropic nature, however, and his devotion to giving back to his community that earned him great admiration and respect. John’s community service included his involvement with numerous AIDS charities, the Harvey Milk/Tom Homman Student Scholarship, the Polinsky Center, GLBT Vote 2000, Ordinary Miracles and a $50,000 donation to The Center.

Most recently, John served as vice president of the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, and was a board member for the Greater San Diego Business Association.

John’s death, at such a young age, leaves us much to reflect upon. Not only does it reaffirm just how fragile life is, but it should prompt us to examine our lifestyle. There is a lesson to be learned from this tragedy.

Our community is among the fastest in terms of lifestyle. We need to slow down and nurture a greater sense of self preservation. We need to open our eyes to those around us and step in when needed. We need to take care of our bodies, minds and most of all, each other. At the very least, John’s death is a wakeup call that none of us are invincible.

Established in John’s honor is The John McCusker Educational Fund which will provide funding for GLBT organizations at colleges, universities and high schools including funding for substance abuse education. Let us take this opportunity to actively address issues of health and substance abuse. John’s light was one of the brightest. It is all of our responsibility to ensure that we do not lose another.

Viewing and Rosary services will be held on Thursday evening at Evan-Brown Mortuary in Sun City starting at 4:00 p.m. Since the Immaculata Catholic Church will no longer accomodate our community, services for Friday are pending. For more information on the location of Friday’s services, see vanaveryprep.com and clubmontage.com. Burial services will take place at the Temecula Public Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.

Donations can be made to the John McCusker Education Fund at the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, located at P.O. Box 33245, San Diego, CA 92163-3425.

UPDATE 3/17/2005: Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 18, 2005, 11 AM at St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, CA (located between Olive & Nutmeg in Banker's Hill).