No Time to Search the World Around
Frank Goudey, a musician and stone mason, was killed in a car accident in Harwich, Mass. yesterday. He was 30.
Frank and I were great friends in high school but like many of us had lost touch over the years. I always, as the song says, thought that I'd see him again. It always seems like there will be time.
Frank was an amazing musician - I'd heard him play guitar on many occasions, but I remember one time in particular, seeing him play 'When I Come Around' by Green Day in our high school auditorium for some sort of school function. I watched classmates who'd never given much thought to who Frank was turn and face the stage one by one, wowed by this generally quiet, unassuming guy.
He was hilarious though - a sharp, dry wit - and very focused, smart, and caring.
His name even became the school's unofficial mantra for a while - back in the day, we'd say 'I'm outtie,' instead of 'I'm leaving' - that soon morphed into Outtie, like Frank Goudey.
I dug some old photos out today - a shot of five of us crammed into a photo booth at the movie theater, Frank crossing his eyes and sticking out his tongue. A photo from the prom when Frank and I went with junior friends, as seniors. A picture of Frank doing his best Bogart impression, a cigarette hanging casually from his left hand.
I wanted to share some of these memories, however old or fragmented.Because it always seems like there will be time.
To Frank and family,
My deepest sympathy's to the Goudey family and to all those who were his friends. He will be missed and remembered by many more than will ever post comments here.
Frank and I were never the greatest of friends but I'm sure that I speak for many when I say that he will always be a part of growing up in a small town and that he will be thought of many times during the course of our lives and will now be missed each time. I will always remember the Harwich Port Merchants, cub scouts, graduation parties and seeing Frank at the Tomato before school, to name a few. I'm not sure whether or not it remains appropriate to be "Outtie" any more but will always be a silent tribute in my head when I depart from now on.
Pete, thanks so much for your comment, and for sharing memories too -
growing up in a small town has definitely shaped who we are.
Frank was one of my very best friends in college and I am fortunate enough
to have spent two summers on the cape working with him in the ice cream
trucks at the beach and at the Stewed. I have so many great memories of
times we had and I am thankful for each of them. He and I kept in touch
and I was hoping to visit him soon. The cape will never feel the same
without him. Frank was a very genuine, one of a kind and special friend to
me - there is nobody in this world who could ever replace him. His smile
and goofy laugh will forever make me smile.
i was so sad to learn about frank's passing... what a great guy - just
always a pleasure to be around.
i have very fond memories of sitting around his little apartment above the
stewed tomato with some friends and making up tunes on the guitar. as so
often seems to be the case, we didn't stay in touch very well. we exchanged
some messages on myspace several months ago, but man, i wish we had had a
chance to play some more music together.
and "i'm outtie like frank goudey" has long been a part of the chatham
vernacular as well - i always thought one of my friends made it up when we
were in high school! i still say it - i find it impossible NOT to say it if
someone says "i'm outtie." i guess i'll still say it... and give frank a
"what's up?" look to the sky.
he will be missed.
Photos from the Beat
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