Zoner down ❤️ sweet Floops
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We only discovered today that dear Floops died February 11, 2025 of a stroke. Thanks, Popi, for getting in touch. I'm going to post his sister and brother's unedited Facebook post about him. It's family-personal, and maybe it doesn't even begin to cover the man we know, but it's good for me to have the background. He last posted here on Feb. 8th, in the February Tunes thread.
My two brother’s Joshua White and Noel Stafford have always been the ones with the right words to say . Today we lost our oldest brother Noel . And to do him justice we asked Brother Josh to write down some words .
My brother Noel was born on January 8th 1972 in Fort Collins CO. He died early this morning (February 11th 2025) of complications related to a stroke in Dordrecht, a small city in the south of Holland. During his 53 years of life he loved, arguably more than anyone else and at times beyond reason. He was an incredible grandson and nephew, cousin, uncle, brother and son who was always open to conversation and eager to learn about family history, collect personal anecdotes and share his own political perspective. He was a class-act as far as momma’s boys go (stated as a compliment and really, he set a high standard in terms of looking after and caring for our mother. Even in his more argumentative years I insist he meant well).
As a brother to me and our three sisters, he was a caretaker, a sergeant, a back-ally cartographer, the best pac-man player in the world, a mystic… and, far from a saint, I again insist that he always meant well.
He cared deeply about everything as if doing, saying or thinking about something he didn’t care about to the utmost might shift the earth’s axis or just be incredibly lame.
He was funny as hell and I think more than anything just wanted to sit somewhere with a full belly and a fresh pack of rolling tobacco and some weed and tell stories and listen to his favorite songs and wake up in the morning with enough energy to shout from the rooftops about all of the wrongs and injustices of the world so he could feel comfortable sitting down again with some friends telling stories.
For me, personally, he made sure to run through the place and open every door and window, unlock the safe and scatter the most important books and records about, point out every hypocrisy and let me know that it was not only ok to be afraid and to feel strong, but that both would be required of me if life was going to be good… or any fun at all.
He was a father to three incredible, intelligent and compassionate children.
It is tough to write about a brother who just died, especially one of such clear influence. The hardest part though is the fear that I might be rounding off the edges too much. I’ve said it before. I said it this morning sitting around a table remembering him. He had a smile that could light up the room. His joy was infectious but he was also difficult and self-righteous and not even always close to right and his anger was as dark as his joy was bright. I feel the need to acknowledge both sides of him directly and in a more forgiving mood than I have had for him in a very long time, I feel it important to acknowledge once again that I really think he always meant well.
His love was fierce. His interest was intense. I think he really just wanted us all to get born, to see the world and life for exactly what they are (ugly, beautiful, joyous and painful), to get free and once free, reach back and see who we could take with us.
This is not enough. I could write much more and may. I am going to miss him. The world lost a good one today…
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank
This one hits like a ton of
This one hits like a ton of bricks.
i never had the pleasure of meeting Noel in person, but fortunately got to know him first on the black screen, and then through emails. His brother's words describe well the person I got to know, both dark and bright, and fill in gaps for things I might have only imagined.
I don't recall if Noel and I ever discussed the writing of Jack Kerouac, but I find myself remembering these words from On The Road, and think they fit here:
The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!"
((((((( Floops )))))))
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Yes, Mike, they fit
Yes, Mike, they fit beautifully and perfectly.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
I never got to meet floops.
I never got to meet floops. Maybe in the next galaxy.
It was always difficult to read about his struggles, but if nothing else sure showed how much he really loved his family and kids.
Sad to know he's gone. So young. Awkwardly relieving to think he might have finally found some peace.
RIP floops
If I knew the way, I would take you home
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MeditateontheQ
Rest easy, Floops. Always
Rest easy, Floops. Always wanted to meet you in person in the Netherlands.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish
The one thing I and all here
The one thing I and all here know and remember about Noel was how much he loved his children. He went through a lot of sacrifices to stay close to them.
Rest in peace, Floopie.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: The Sound of Steam and Caffeine
RIP, Floops
RIP, Floops
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
He was easy to root for as he
He was easy to root for as he faced life's challenges. Gonna miss him.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
Bummer deal. Gone too soon.
Bummer deal. Gone too soon. Wouldn't be surprised if the stress from the custody and residency battles took a toll and played a part in the stroke event.
He sure loved his kids and wanted to be near.
I remember when his kids were doing a "Flat Stanley" project, where you see how far your "Flat Stanley," a paper doll, could travel I offered to take his kid's doll to southern Utah and sent back pics in the iconic redrock. I found some today. From Holland to Castle Valley, Utah.
Rest easy, Floops.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Hello My Name Is
Gone too young. He was a fine
Gone too young. He was a fine Zoner.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
Oh Fuck. Dude was a rock
Oh Fuck. Dude was a rock solid Zoner and seemed to be general good person. Never met him in person but followed his trials and tribulations with his immigration issues . What a loss.
Vibes and blessings to his family and loved ones.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sun so hot, clouds so low
So sad. Wishing comfort for
So sad. Wishing comfort for all who love him.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: dimethyllovebeam
Loved his knowledge, wisdom
Loved his knowledge, wisdom and intelligence. Having gone though a divorce with a young child, my heart always went out to him as he posted his frustrations and struggles, not only to be a loving father to his children, but to be in that position in a foreign land. To me, his Love for his children and his extraordinary efforts to show it said all i needed to know about him.
The one constant in Life is change. Sadly, life's cruel unfairness falls under that title, too.
Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.
((((((((((( Floops' Family & Friends ))))))))))))
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ParadiseWaits
Man, that sucks. Fly high,
Man, that sucks. Fly high, Floopers. Your love for your children and zeal for life was beyond what a few words could convey.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: _________
How Terribly Sad ! RIP Floops
How Terribly Sad ! RIP Floops ..... always liked him .... oh man.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mylar
{{{{{{{ Floops }}}}}}}
{{{{{{{ Floops }}}}}}}
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Roarshock
Love you Floops. So sad to
Love you Floops. So sad to find out you are gone.
To hear months after the fact is bitterly sad, but now that we know, let the mourning begin.
(((((Adjacent Zoner Down. RIP Noel.)))))
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Joe Buck is Back
RIP Noel.
RIP Noel.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Astro
We were lucky to have him.
We were lucky to have him. RIP Floops
May the Angels watch over his spirit.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High
RIP Floops.
RIP Floops.
Your steadfast efforts to stay in your kids lives against fierce opposition is an inspiration to us all.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Peglet
This is just so/too fucking
This is just so/too fucking sad. Again.
One time a gazillion years ago, I "accidentally" called him Noel here on the pz and boy, never made that mistake again HAHA I was like okay I'm sorry!!! Then of course he laughed at the ridiculousness of his seld-admitted slight overreaction.
I really loved and appreciated his presence here, I know he was pretty close to a bunch of zoner friends and I feel so sad for everyone but especially his (now grown) kids and the rest of his family.
Really sad news, and I love what his brother wrote.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ...
((((Floops)))) his color on
((((Floops)))) his color on the black screen will be missed...RIP
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank
I think it's great that so
I think it's great that so many have mentioned Floops' dedication to his children. He sacrificed much to remain near them. But it also needs to be noted that he was passionate about language and teaching too. His kids brought him great joy, and the prospect of losing touch with them brought him some sorrow, but the thing that seemed to continually drive him forward was his deep desire to understand our system of language, and to help others learn how the thing works too.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: surjade
So sad to hear this.
So sad to hear this.
Floops was very kind and engaging.
He was friendly and encouraging during my early days on the Zone.
Set the bar high.
{{{{{{Floops}}}}}}}} ☹️
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: surjade
So sad to hear this.
RIP phriend.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sully72
Damn, this is sad. Never met
Damn, this is sad. Never met him in real life but posted back and forth here for many, many years and some emails way back from when the OG Zone was becoming Viva La Zone. We shared the Rochester connection. Godspeed man.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rich Pankanin
DAMN SORRY TO HEAR THIS. I
DAMN SORRY TO HEAR THIS. I havent written him in a while, but in the old zone days we talked quite a bit. Sorry to hear this, he was a really sweet soul. May the four winds take you home again. RIP
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
That's tough news. The last
That's tough news. The last I recall him posting, he mentioned his health issues.
Floops was a passionate Dead freak, an articulate traveler who shared a lot of his challenges here.
Peace be in eternity.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: roland
Goddamn I hate this shit..
Goddamn I hate this shit...again. Sigh...
I too remember how much Floops loved his kids and the sacrifices he made. And his love and expertise of language and semantics. I seem to recall that he hated the phrase "apples to oranges" or something like that...I remember him whining about that a few times...lol. And he shared a birthday with Elvis (and Bowie for that matter) - but he hated Elvis with a passion. We corresponded a little bit, but not in years. Way too young. Hope his kids and family are doing as best they can.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Joe Buck is Back
(No subject)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Joe Buck is Back
I last heard from him in
I last heard from him in February when I mailed him a copy of the Phil Lesh special from Relix. He was extremely grateful and welcomed me to come visit. He was a good guy.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: An organ grinder’s tune
RIP Brother Floops.
RIP Brother Floops.
Your spirit is strong.
not fade away
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Daffodil Jill
So sick and sad over this
So sick and sad over this loss
He was someone that I just figured would meet someday that he would get back here to visit and we would have a gathering.
We became friends over Facebook Messenger for many many years
The last time there was contact I sent him some link to something about Phil in April. And he had already been gone for 2 months
rest in power, darling, humble, beautiful soul
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane
Oh man...
Oh man...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Tim
RIP Floops
RIP Floops
Never met, thought we would
What a drag it is gettin old
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Warriors Come Out & Play
RIP ❤️
RIP ❤️