Doc John,
I don't see anything wrong in remembering our friends who have passed away. I think it is a nice gesture to their friends and family, that their loved ones were held in such high esteem. It should give them a measure of comfort. I have always felt that a funeral should not be such an ordeal for their close family, rather they should think of it not as a sad occasion, but as an event where we remember the achievements of the person, and give thanks that they contributed to so much in their life. I feel this was Fred's outlook on life too.
Some Parkies live to a ripe old age, and it may give strength to early diagnosed parkies, that PD is not always a death sentence, just as we say we are all different in our symptoms in life. Outside the emotional feelings, it would build up statistics on mortality of PWP, if we listed age, number of years since diagnosis, and any known information on treatment regime, including non prescription meds. It may help, today's newspaper reports research showing regular intake of vitamin D adds 6 years to the lifespan of anyone taking it. Analysis of the people who lived to a ripe old age may yield a useful lead. However, I appreciate the numbers will be statistically too smallinitially, but you have to start somewhere.
I have reached 70 now, and want to go on enjoying life even though I have had PD for 16 years. Last month, I laid 80 heavy paving stones, and next week I see a specialist about my hernia!!!!! LOL.
Best wishes
Ron