Rob Belanger Passed

[weams]

 

[TonySoprano]

I see a lot of people have read this topic, but no one has commented.  That's O.K., most if not all of you didn't know who he was.

I did.  While I didn't know him well enough to call him a friend, the life he led had an impact.

Rob was the "worship leader" who graced us with his talent most Sunday nights at our church in Timonium.  What stands out the most to me is what he did outside the church.  Rob co-founded the Cool Kids Campaign dedicated to helping kids who were, or had been, cancer patients.  Some of the well-known advisors to the campaign are Brooks Robinson, Scott McGregor, Ken Singleton, Kimmie Meissner, and Bruce Laird.  

As we all know, cancer is an insidious disease.  34 years ago, it claimed my mother, and my father twice had cancer before he died.  In some way, I bet most of you has known someone who has fought it.   To me, kids with cancer, is the greatest sadness of all.  Rob wanted to make a difference in those lives.  His father was a baseball hero, but what Rob did made him a hero in many lives as well.

Rob Belanger fought a hard battle with cancer for a couple years, but earlier this year, the inevitability of the end was certain.   There was no more that could be done.  Knowing that, it would be easy for one to give up, and withdraw.   Instead, up until two weeks ago, there he was, using his music as a gift to worship the Lord.  Prayers go out to his wife, daughters, mother and family and friends.  Thanks to Weams for posting this notice.

[scOtt]

1 hour ago, TonySoprano said:

I see a lot of people have read this topic, but no one has commented.  That's O.K., most if not all of you didn't know who he was.

I did.  While I didn't know him well enough to call him a friend, the life he led had an impact.

Rob was the "worship leader" who graced us with his talent most Sunday nights at our church in Timonium.  What stands out the most to me is what he did outside the church.  Rob co-founded the Cool Kids Campaign dedicated to helping kids who were, or had been, cancer patients.  Some of the well-known advisors to the campaign are Brooks Robinson, Scott McGregor, Ken Singleton, Kimmie Meissner, and Bruce Laird.  

As we all know, cancer is an insidious disease.  34 years ago, it claimed my mother, and my father twice had cancer before he died.  In some way, I bet most of you has known someone who has fought it.   To me, kids with cancer, is the greatest sadness of all.  Rob wanted to make a difference in those lives.  His father was a baseball hero, but what Rob did made him a hero in many lives as well.

Rob Belanger fought a hard battle with cancer for a couple years, but earlier this year, the inevitability of the end was certain.   There was no more that could be done.  Knowing that, it would be easy for one to give up, and withdraw.   Instead, up until two weeks ago, there he was, using his music as a gift to worship the Lord.  Prayers go out to his wife, daughters, mother and family and friends.  Thanks to Weams for posting this notice.

Sorry if this detracts at all.Tony. It's what I do. :shrug: And they are from Wayne's Bar and Grill. I grew up listening to these guys.

 

 

[weams]

8 hours ago, TonySoprano said:

I see a lot of people have read this topic, but no one has commented.  That's O.K., most if not all of you didn't know who he was.

I did.  While I didn't know him well enough to call him a friend, the life he led had an impact.

Rob was the "worship leader" who graced us with his talent most Sunday nights at our church in Timonium.  What stands out the most to me is what he did outside the church.  Rob co-founded the Cool Kids Campaign dedicated to helping kids who were, or had been, cancer patients.  Some of the well-known advisors to the campaign are Brooks Robinson, Scott McGregor, Ken Singleton, Kimmie Meissner, and Bruce Laird.  

As we all know, cancer is an insidious disease.  34 years ago, it claimed my mother, and my father twice had cancer before he died.  In some way, I bet most of you has known someone who has fought it.   To me, kids with cancer, is the greatest sadness of all.  Rob wanted to make a difference in those lives.  His father was a baseball hero, but what Rob did made him a hero in many lives as well.

Rob Belanger fought a hard battle with cancer for a couple years, but earlier this year, the inevitability of the end was certain.   There was no more that could be done.  Knowing that, it would be easy for one to give up, and withdraw.   Instead, up until two weeks ago, there he was, using his music as a gift to worship the Lord.  Prayers go out to his wife, daughters, mother and family and friends.  Thanks to Weams for posting this notice.

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing this very personal loss with us. I am very glad he had people like you in his life. 

[TonySoprano]

51 minutes ago, weams said:

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing this very personal loss with us. I am very glad he had people like you in his life. 

I only knew him at church.  Tall and lean like his late father, he always reminded me of James Taylor.  Here's a sample 

Reading some social media on him today, and he touched a lot of people.  He was only 47.   

Happy New Year all.

[weams]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck-blog/bal-mark-belanger-and-family-to-be-honored-during-fundraiser-20150325-story.html

http://www.maryland.com/the-blade-of-baltimore-charity-event-honors-orioles-great-mark-belanger/

http://www.maryland.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/218x320xBelanger-Family.png.pagespeed.ic.0tRetr8jwR.webp

[Frobby]

Tony S, thanks for letting us know what Rob did.    We need more people like that in this world.   And yes, everyone is touched by cancer, directly or indirectly.     When it's a kid who is afflicted, that's doubly sad.   

I hope we'll hear more from you in 2017.  Best wishes for a Happy New Year.  

[scOtt]

15 hours ago, Frobby said:

Tony S, thanks for letting us know what Rob did.    We need more people like that in this world.   And yes, everyone is touched by cancer, directly or indirectly.     When it's a kid who is afflicted, that's doubly sad.   

I hope we'll hear more from you in 2017.  Best wishes for a Happy New Year.  

Second that!

[terps19]

Geez 47?  Mark was in his mid 50s I believe.  And I think Mark smoked like a chimney.  Its amazing and very sad that his son (and I dont know if he was a smoker or not) died before reaching the age of his father.  

Cancer is horrible, took my Aunt when she was in her early 40s.  Luckily that is the only person cancer has taken in my family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, mom, dad)... Just horrible.  

A healthy lifestyle is really the only way to help prevent cancer, but even then cancer gets to some.  

Thanks for sharing your story.