Thread: A Message From Ray at ClassicShaving.com

Greetings All,

After having tried to compose this post several times, and not having been satisfied with any of my previous attempts, I have concluded that there is no easy way to say what I have to say. Rather than continuing to struggle for just the right words I'll just lay my cards on the table and let the hand read for itself.

After a recent visit with my doctor I am informed that I have a very short time left to live. To spell it out in numbers, I was given 8-12 weeks, and that was 3 weeks ago.

As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with cancer in 1998, underwent successful surgery at that time and have been cancer-free since. At that time I was told that I had a 50% chance to survive 5 years - It has now been 6 years, I guess one could say that I've beaten the odds. Recently however, a visit with my doctor turned up a new area of concern that proved to be a recurrence of my old cancer. It has already spread beyond the ability to be treated radiologically, and I am told that chemotherapy would buy me at most an additional 4 weeks, while making what little time I have left a living Hell. Obviously, I have opted not to partake.

Over the past year, and especially these past few weeks, I have been involved with training my daughter, Danielle, and my son-in-law, Will, to carry on after I have gone. My wife, Laurie, will remain active in the business and all present staff, Ray-Ray, Barbara-Ann, Misty and Laura, will also remain on-board to help provide the necessary continuity. We expect there will be no outwardly visible change in the daily operations of ClassicShaving.com as we move forward into the future. The only difference being that my own personality will be missing - Some might say that this would be a good thing!

I have already discontinued coming into the office on a daily basis but have remained active and involved in over-seeing routine matters as the baton is passed from one generation to the next.

Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for the loyalty and support that this forum has shown toward ClassicShaving.com over the years. I ask that you extend the same toward the new owners who pledge that they will carry on as I would have.

Wishing you and yours the Happiest of Holidays and a Successful New Year...

Ray Dupont
ClassicShaving.com