a sad day

i received news this morning that a good friend of mine from duluth passed away last weekend (below are two articles i was able to find). i'm writing this as i wait for some laundry and will be leaving as soon as possible to attend his funeral tomorrow in rochester, mn. i don't really have any commitments for the rest of this week, and next week is spring break, so i may spend a couple extra days in rochester, the twin cities, and eau claire before heading back down to bloomington. give me a ring if you wanna hang out.

lovins,
james

Former Duluth resident dies in Rochester

Duluth News Tribune - 03/04/2008
Firefighters in Rochester, Minn., found the body of a former Duluth resident in his home after an explosion and fire destroyed the building early Saturday.

Authorities say Paul Michael Beaulieu, 26, died before the explosion occurred. Rochester Police Captain Brian Winters said an autopsy was done Sunday. While the coroner has not ruled on a cause of death, Winters said there is no indication that a crime was committed.

Winters said Beaulieu lived in the house with his wife, Samantha (formerly Arter), but she was visiting family in the Duluth area when their home exploded.

Firefighters found Beaulieu’s body in the house’s basement, Rochester Fire Marshall Vance Swisher said. There was a natural gas line to the house, but Swisher said the cause of the explosion and fire probably won’t be known for several days.

Beaulieu was born in Duluth on January 3, 1982. He was a 2000 graduate Central High School. He and his wife moved to Rochester three years ago when American Eagle Airlines transferred him to Rochester International Airport.

A memorial service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes' chapel in Rochester


Man's death ruled a suicide
3/5/2008 8:03:35 AM
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Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

The death of a 26-year-old Rochester man whose body was found in a building destroyed by fire last weekend has been ruled a suicide by the Olmsted County deputy coroner.

Paul Michael Beaulieu died about one hour before the house exploded and burned Saturday, said Monica Cole, deputy coroner. The fire and explosion at 822 Sixth St. S.E. was reported at 4:30 a.m. The house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Beaulieu was the only one home at the time.

Cole said the cause of death "appears to be a hanging." She declined to say more.

Fire officials continue their investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and fire. Vance Swisher, Rochester fire marshal, previously said a gas leak was one of several possible causes.

A memorial service for Beaulieu will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes in Rochester.