Goodbye brother Clem

We lost a good man last week. Mike Clemmensen, known to one and all as "Clem," was a bartender at McCarthy's Irish Pub in San Luis Obispo, CA. He was hit by cancer in February 2006, and he did his best to live a pretty full life right up 'til the end.




Clem always put a shamorck on top of my Guinness, every pour. He used to pump the McCarthy's jukebox full of songs at the beginning of his shift so he wouldn't have to listen to any "crappy music." He loved "Spanish Moon" by Little Feat, and he hated the Beatles. He would always dim the lights in the bar, day or night, when Sinatra came on. He did not suffer fools well, nor sloppy college students, and I'd seen him cut more than a few people off, mostly for being stoopid more than drunk. Clem was a well-read sharp wit with strong, intelligent opinions and a serious gift of blarney. He will be dearly missed.




Clem also had the unique distinction of writing his own obituary. It appeared in the San Luis Obispo Tribune this morning:




Michael "Clem" Dwayne Clemmensen



Life Journey



January 1951 to August 29, 2007



I have been known by many a name and played many a role on life's vast stage in my 56 years. You've known me as Michael, Mikey, Mike, Clemo, Claymore, Clay and Clem. I burger flipped at Ed's, was a poison oak detector and always managed to find it, a dude ranch handy man, an ice cream cone stuffer for Thrifty's in Santa Barbara, a Cal Trans shovel prop, a band member that owned a van and 90% of the equipment, a famous government leader impersonator, a 'mixologist' at McCarthy's (Question of the Day - What is the main trade of the leprechaun?), and a riverboat captain on the powerful Mississippi.



"The Mississippi River will always have its own way; no engineering skill can persuade it to do otherwise..." -- Mark Twain in Eruption



Thanks so much to my family and friends for the love and support though my struggle with cancer.



A remembrance celebration will be held 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at the Elks Club in San Luis Obispo so you may share stories and remember the good times. I will miss you all.



'No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.' -- Calvin Coolidge



Question of the Day - What does the term "30" mean to a newspaper editor?



Michael has left the building ... Sine Metu