I think it's up to the guy who is dying to cope with it however possible. If he's looking for support, that's fine. I've been around death a lot, my wife died with cancer, and it's different strokes for different people. She withdrew, and that was her choice, and the right one for her. I would never disagree with a person who is dying as to his choices of his final days.
He's missed, and that's about the highest compliment anyone can get. Internet and otherwise. I won't be missed except by a few, which is the way the cookie crumbles. He was a good restorer and had knowledge of the art few of us can match.
I've known people who have died in a lot less manly and gracious manner than him. I would like to die with his aplomb, but suspect I won't. My loss.
