Lloyd Friend

December 11, 2008

Lloyd arrived at Millburn High School in the middle of sophomore year. By senior year he had distinguished himself as an outstanding student and athlete, and had become a leader of our class. He had a wonderful ability to get along with all kinds of people, making friends across cliques the brains, geeks, preps, jocks, arty types and, most mysterious of all, the cool kids. With his strong character, wit and intelligence, Lloyd naturally assumed the role of class spokesperson. When he stood up, we knew he would say the right thing with grace and eloquence.

After graduation, Lloyd moved on to Princeton, married the love of his life, launched his career and became the father of Patrick, Biff and Brooks. Lloyd and Pattie were wonderful parents who selflessly and fiercely fought the battles and endured the trials of Brooks and Biff’s lives with cystic fibrosis, a battle lost by Brooks at six and a half years old. Years later, Pattie and Lloyd by his side, Biff survived a double lung transplant. Lloyd lived to watch Biff become a healthy man. Through it all, Lloyd and Pattie were generous friends always up on the latest in our families, always ready with a helping hand.

Whether you knew him from Millburn High School, Princeton, Michigan, Bell Labs, England or just the Millburn Del, you were welcomed into Lloyd’s life. You got to share his wonderful sense of humor, his wisdom and kindness.

Over the years, Lloyd continued to be our chosen spokesman at reunions, weddings and funerals. When our last class reunion was held in California’s Napa Valley, Lloyd could not make the trip. He was sorely missed as our voice and our pal.

Until the end, Lloyd, with Pattie at his side, weathered his own difficult illness with good cheer. The Friends home at “The Top” was often filled with friends and relatives stopping by to see how Lloyd was doing, to compare notes on current events and the latest good novels, or to watch a game.

For these past fifty years of friendship and strong memories of both great times and sad times, we thank you, Lloyd. You’re in our hearts; you’re in our souls.

~ Gail and Peter Lozier