R.I.P. Jeffrey McManus

I just learned that Jeffrey McManus died. I never knew him in person, but I’d known him online for something like 14 years. He was part of the Well and then, later on, we were connected by Twitter and Facebook.

For me, he was a good example of the concept I’ve come to know as ambient intimacy. Even though he lived in California, I knew more about him and his family than a lot of the individuals I see in person on a regular basis. He was 46, had a wife and two kids, and seemed to be just far enough ahead of me on the “growing up” schedule that I was always taking notes when he was commenting on fatherhood and whatnot. And, of course, his Twitter harassment of Chuck Woolery always made me laugh.

I don’t know the details, but so far as I can see, this looks to have been a bolt from the blue situation. His Twitter stream looked regular yesterday, and the linked report says that he passed away in his sleep from unknown causes.

I feel so sorry for his wife, Carole, and their kids. They are a well loved and respected family, so they won’t lack for support; but I don’t know that anything will help much, at least not in the short term.