Why not take this design and make a deck of cards in his honor? Give a percentage of the proceeds to the family to assist with final expenses?
Thoughts?
This. This a thousand times. Financially, I'm not sure how this would work. I understand that Theory11 has a close relationship with Bicycle.
William, forgive me to for using your brilliant idea as a springboard to bounce a few minor, additional ideas. Ranging from most to least feasible.
1) Running a short time frame where all regular bicycle and tally-ho decks have a percentage of proceeds to be sent to the family
2) Printing a special deck of cards with letters from friends in the community on the faces about the person, to be sent to the family.
3) An annual deck of cards printed, with beautiful back designs comprised of fine printed initials of all the magicians who we lost the year before.
It sounds morbid at the start to use a deck of cards like that, but all of us seek the recognition of our peers. To be seen as useful, respectable, and valued member of the groups in which we identify. There's no other tool more valued, studied, respected, and ingrained in the art of magic as a deck of cards.
Just some ideas.
I offer my deepest sympathies to the family. It's an honor to be a part of someone's journey, even just for a short time. The great thing about combining an online community with someone generous and kind, is that his words will remain here to be referenced, to guide, inspire, and support magicians to come.
If one thing is true about magicians it's this; though a magician may leave us, there are those among us who work tirelessly to ensure they are never ever forgotten.