[BDBopper]

I wrote this elsewhere here but I will reprint it in this more-appropriate thread (with some additions).

Being legally blind I get much more out of hearing than I do my vision. I recognize voices more than most and there are a set of those voices that are so familiar to me that even though I might not know the person with that voice personally, that voice is like an old friend. Wayne's Mickey Mouse was one of them. No matter what mood I was in, I became all smiles when I heard it. All was right with the world.

When it comes to the Disney characters, the actors doing their voices ARE those characters to me, much more so than someone in a costume or the drawing on the TV or movie screen.

Another "friend" from my childhood has passed on. Wayne will be missed. My condolences to his wife, Russi Taylor (voice of Minnie Mouse). They worked so well. My condolences go out to the rest of the "Gang" too. From podcasts I know that Bill Farmer (Goofy and Pluto) and Tony Anselmo (Donald) all had a blast working together.

One of my dreams was to meet Wayne and his counterparts one day. Wayne will be missed but I know that Wayne has been reunited with some old friends who are welcoming him to the big studio in the sky with Walt Disney, Clarence Nash, Pinto Colvig, Jack Wagner, and his old mentor, Jimmy MacDonald, applauding and saying "Well Done!"

Farewell old "Friend" I can only wish the next Mickey Mouse will have as much lasting power and sound as friendly as you! (wipes tears)