RE: Homeless man killed
Editor’s note: On Saturday morning, Dec. 1, Bradley Suessine, 42, was stabbed in the alley between Rattlesnake Jake’s and the Sea Girl shop in Deerfield Beach. His family wishes to share their memories of Brad.
Dear Editor:
I was Brad’s cousin and pretty close with him growing up. We are the same age.
Although it has been about 10 years since we spoke last, I have many childhood memories [of growing up] and celebrating the holidays together. We caught back up later in life after high school.
We shared a very close and special relationship that I will forever cherish.
In our 20’s we went to college together. It was the best!
He would come to my house and pick me up and we [would] drive together. It didn’t matter, our class times being different. He was thoughtful that way.
We did things together outside of work or school. My friends were his then and vice versa.
We did things on the weekend or went to parties together and always had a fun time. Never ever a bad moment, never ever any type of arguments, only great times. People even commented about how they couldn’t believe we were cousins — we got along so well.
Now, [all] I have is memories, but I am blessed and thankful that I have those and was granted those special moments in life to spend with him. It was a privilege and I am tremendously glad I was granted that in life.
I am so deeply affected by how this vicious act was done upon him and it keeps me awake [at night], his last moments, how tragic they were, and that he was not with his loved ones.
He was an amazing guy, one of the best.
I know the newspapers state “homeless” over and over again, but life’s journeys take us all down different paths. Though he didn’t have the traditional roof over his head and all of what one would expect to be normal, really,what is “normal?” I guess that is to one’s own description now.
His way of life to him at that time was normal. It was living life the way he knew best and how it made the most sense to him at the time and what made “him” ok.
That doesn’t discount his value in our society, in life or as a valued citizen.
His importance to all his mom/dad, brothers and all of us extended family and friends was great. I feel for my aunt/uncle and cousins (his brothers) who have to deal with this great loss. This is not fair.
I hope that he can see us and look upon us, knowing that he was really loved and really meant a lot.
You hear too often that “life is short” or the “would of’s, could of’’s” but it’s too late for all that now.
We have to try to find a way to deal with this great loss and how he was so cruelly taken from us.
He will be in my heart and thoughts — and I am sure many others’ — for eternity and I will love him always.
I hope Brad is always that twinkling star above now and a true angel that I hope will hear me always.
His loving cousin,
Deanna Letourneau
Bradenton, FL
RE: Baumgardner incident
Dear Editor:
On Sept. 30, my brother [Tom] was physically assaulted while riding his bicycle back to his home in Deerfield Beach.
Allegedly, there was a verbal altercation between my brother and an individual in a truck.
The alleged attacker got out of the truck and punched my brother, leaving him with a severe brain stem injury, eye injury, multiple facial fractures and a broken clavicle. He then fled the scene, without rendering aid, leaving my brother unconscious and unresponsive in the roadway.
The Broward County Sheriff’s investigating detective tells me the alleged attacker did text a friend in the Deerfield Beach fire department and paramedics were dispatched to the scene. I have asked what that text message said and that information has not been shared with me or my family.
The medical report indicates paramedics found my brother unconscious and unresponsive and transported him to the hospital. He remained in a coma for 6 days on life support, in the hospital a total of 25 days, and then was transported to a neurologic rehabilitation center, where he remains.
I understand the alleged attacker has been questioned; however, there have been no charges filed. I have had no further update from the Broward County Sheriff’s office other than the case was presented to the state attorney with no further action.
To the individuals and friends who organized a recent fundraiser [Nov. 19 Baumfest at Tipperary Pub] to assist with my brother’s medical and living expenses, my family extends our greatest appreciation for your kindness and generosity.
To the individual who did this to my brother, I hope every day you think about how you forever changed the life of a vibrant, gainfully-employed man and that of his entire family.
Gina Firsching
Binghamton, NY
