About 5 years ago I took my oldest son to a sign up meeting for cub scouts in Hampstead, NC. Milling around in the back, John Carroll and myself stuck up one of those, do-I-know-you-from-somewhere conversations. We tried a few names and places but nothing registered. It was probably our Irish looks which drew us to recognize some distant but unmistakable kinship. We had a nice conversation. I remember him talking about Iraq and being a judge. He was friendly and unpretentiousness. He was one of those persons who when you first meet ask questions and is really interested in what you had to say.
That was that, and now he’s gone, after a brief illness leaving behind a wife and four children. I asked my son, a 6th grader at Topsail Middle School, if he knew any kids name Carroll. He said yes, Jack Carroll is in his grade, and they had announced Judge Carroll’s passing away over the intercom. I hope Jack is able to remember going to cub scouts with his dad. That fall day 5 years ago, boyhood excitement as in the air, full of plans for being outdoors and weekend camping trips.
“It has been my lot to lay in an early grave many honest hearts, many brilliant promises, many hopes full of life.” Joseph Conrad