THE NEW ANERICAN WAY OF DEATH

摘要

GEORGE ALAN THOMPSON II, KNOWN AS BIG AL OR THE FISH MAN, SON OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, RESIDENT OF KENNESAW, GA., ONETIME BARTENDER, RESTAURANT MANAGER, REAL ESTATE AGENT, MOTORCYCLIST, OWNER OF AQUARIUM-MAINTENANCE BUSINESS AQUAHOLICS AND NOTED JOKESTER, DIED MAY 28,2010, AT AGE 50. HE IS NOW A REEF. BIG AL SITS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN 11/2: MILES (2.4 KM) OFF PENSACOLA BEACH, FLORIDA. FISH SWIM THROUGH HIM. CORALS WILL SOON GROW ON HIM. SO WILL SOFT SPONGES-BUT NOT YET. AFTER ALL, BIG AL'S NEW LIFE AS A REEF IS STILL IN ITS INFANCY. IT WAS THREE YEARS AGO, ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, WHEN A DRUNK DRIVER HIT BIG AL ON HIS WAY HOME WHILE HE WAS RIDING HIS FAVORITE BIKE, A CUSTOMIZED ULTRA CLASSIC HARLEY-DAVIDSON. BUT BIG AL WASN'T JUST A BIKER. MORE THAN ANYTHING, HE WAS A FISH NUT.