Chu said:
This year has indeed been “rocky”. As most of you know, our beloved member of the group and team in France, Pierre Lescaudron, passed away on 19 October 2023 – the ending of a 14-year battle with brain cancer. Pierre’s condition began to deteriorate in a serious way last December, beginning about Caesarmas time, but we did not expect him to pass as quickly as he did. Pierre himself, obviously, had his own plans. So, yes, 2023 was “rocky” (“Pierre” means “rock”). Pierre researched and wrote 4 books, two of which are published, and the knowledge he gathered for our benefit is invaluable.
He has been added to the calendar as a Saint and we hope that you will all remember his birthday in coming years, light a candle, and perhaps have a special convivial meal in his honor. We are grateful that he was with us as long as he was and we thank him for his care and concern for all of us, which drove him to work as hard as he could in the time that was given to him.