New Orleans Loses a Passionate Voice

Ashley Morris passed away last week. Ashley was an Associate Professor of Computer Science at DePaul University in Chicago, but he never moved his family to the Windy City, preferring to live in New Orleans and commute to Chicago. Only a true New Orleanian and Saints fan would even consider doing such a thing, and Dr. Morris was both of those. In his neighborhood as well as the NOLA blogging community, Ashley was ever the activist and advocate for the city, never hesitating to call out politicians, businessmen, and other "leaders" in his blog. Most followers of Ashley's blog consider this to be his best post, but this one will be how I remember him:

Idea: crab boil flavored jellybeans. Full strength. Put one in every bag just to keep 'em honest. Then again, why not? They make licorice...

Yeah you rite. I never had the privilege of meeting Ashley in person, in spite of the fact that we shared so many common interests. it was one of those things that I figured would happen when it happened, in spite of both of our crazy travel schedules.

As often happens when someone departs this plane of existence (relatively) young, Ashley left behind a wife and three young children. His funeral expenses (he passed away in FL, will be buried later this week at home) are going to be five-figures. If you can spare some change to help the family, please go here. Think of it as a virtual hat out on the street and Ashley's playing his drum.