Farewell To Life Party

In January 1934, at the age of 82, arctic explorer W.J.A. Grant decided he wasn't much longer for this world and had a "farewell to life" champagne party. The centerpiece of the event was a wooden coffin he had specially made. Five hundred people attended, as well as "a bevy of beautiful dancing girls." He instructed everyone to "wear your gayest clothes—don't come in the miserable garb of woe."

The partying lasted through the night. Grant, wearing a boutonniere in his coat lapel, mingled with his guests "and pointed cheerfully to a notice on the wall that said he would die within a week."

But the next day, having had only two hours of sleep, he announced that he now "felt fine." It took him another year before he finally kicked the bucket. [Chicago Tribune - Mar 11, 1935]
     Posted By: Alex - Wed Jun 26, 2013
     Category: Death | Obituaries | 1930s





Comments
Must'a had some Irish blood in him.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 06/26/13 at 12:13 PM
I got to thinking about the "Bring Out Your Dead" scene in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

"I'm not dead."
"You will be in a couple of minutes."
Posted by KDP on 06/26/13 at 02:36 PM
I've always said I want a party for my friends and family and NOT a formal funeral. Burn me up cheap and spread my ashes where I pick (would like outer space but it's too expensive).

WTF do I care anyway about mourning etc. ... I'm f'ing dead !
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 06/26/13 at 05:17 PM
A family of a friend of mine held a wake for him while he was terminally ill with cancer, but still chipper. It was a nice party. Great idea. Throw a party for me while I'm still alive. Most wakes are a drag.

He's still kickin', so the party didn't hurt.
Posted by Harvey on 06/26/13 at 07:48 PM
For once I could be the life of the party.
Posted by BMN on 06/27/13 at 06:32 AM
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