Twice today I pulled cases that my friend who committed suicide had done the last admitting evals on.

The doctor on today and I had a good bit of a cry over this.


The YAKs would make an awesome tribute if you can get them together ... but the honor is in your being there for your friend. Don't sweat it if you aren't able to pull it off.

Just think on the good times with him when you fly, dude.

els, i can't begin to tell you how i feel. scinto meant alot to me as a friend. we've been there for each other and listened to one another. he was there for me during my divorce and gave me the support i needed. i in turn, gave him the support he needed up until he lost it. i had no idea, nor did anyone else what he was going to do and to be honest, i don't think he did either. he just did it. your post nailed my soul brother. i will go out of my way to make people happy and to please them because that's my nature, ask NBN.

yeah, i and we will. (all of his friends). crap. it's bed time. i'll finish this tomorrow. i'd like to get more than 3 hours tonight. 6 in 48 sucks. nite y'all.

I am sorry for your loss.. I don't mean to sound cold(if I do) I'll tell you a story sometime. man, you're right though, things aren't always as bad as they seem. usually far from it.

his obit came out today in the houston chronicle:

MICHAEL DONATO SCINTO, 29, of Webster and formerly of Katy, passed away Friday, July 22, 2005. Michael was a friend of Bill W. and loved all his friends. He was born August 17, 1975 in Bridgeport, Connecticut; but grew up in Katy, where he was involved in the Boy Scouts, swim team, football, and karate. Michael was a licensed pilot and did angel flights. He loved to scuba dive and loved adventurous outdoor activities. He attended Stephen F. Austin State University and was the owner of Westchase Plumbing. He is survived by his mother, Kathy Scinto; his father & stepmother, Ralph & Jackie Scinto; his siblings, Rebecca Arnett and husband Billy, Anthony Scinto and wife Catherine, and his baby sister, Catherine; as well as other loving family members and friends. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the Schmidt Funeral Home Chapel, in Katy. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, with Rev. Robert B. Tucker, S.C.J., Celebrant. Interment in Katy Magnolia Cemetery. Schmidt Funeral Home 1508 East Ave., Katy, TX 77493 (281) 391-242 4
Published in the Houston Chronicle on 7/28/2005.

you didn't sound cold, and i'd love to hear it...

That was very nice.

I read that obit, and I think "what a full and meaningful life, full of family and honorable pursuits". I suppose this menas that it is always easier to be someone on the outside looking in than the person on the inside looking out.

I know I've been to the place where copping out seemed like a pretty good option, just to stop the pain, but now, almost 15 years down the road from it all, I'm pretty glad I didn't.

If I had, someone else would have probably read my obit and thought that my life was well worth living, too.

i rejoined Angel Flight after a couple of years hiatus. Scinto had flown several of them as have i, however due to the restructure of my finances via divorce i had to quit, but now i'm inspired. in a nut shell Angel Flight pilots provide their services and airplanes to give cancer patients transportation when they either can't afford the airfare or the drive is just too long. granted, i won't be able to do the long trips except as a co-pilot but i can knock out some in the S.E. texas/louisiana area.

Rock on, man. Do you just need more hours, or a IFR, or what? (so that you can make the long flights)

no, i've already got my IFR, actually i've got all ratings up to commercial multi-engine. all i can get past that are "type" ratings, i.e. - you have to have a 737 "type" rating to fly that particular model of the '37.
but yeah, i need a few more hours to join the airlines. in fact i've already been turned down by express jet (aka continental express) but was asked to keep in touch so that when i meet the hour requirements i'll get hired. i applied just to get my name in the hiring pool.

well scinto's mother requested a fly over so we'll see how it goes. right now i believe it's only going to be one plane but we'll see.

Dude , I am SOOOO sorry to hear about your friends !!! That just SUCKS !!!!!

Stay strong !!!!!

one plane is better than none - I'm sure he'll appreciate anything you do in his honor.

i'm going to the wake tonight and perhaps tomorrow i'll fly a plane also. it won't be hard to get 2 more volunteers to complete the formation.