Oh my God, have you read this book?
December 31st 2022 - By Rex Hohlbein
I am very sad to share that Wesley Charles Green has passed away.
It’s always hard to hear of someone’s passing. It is especially difficult for those close, for those that loved him. Wes had a life of many close meaningful relationships. He was something special.
Part of the reason for Wes having so many friends is that he made them easily. He had a charm to him that was instantly felt, that would draw you to him. The other reason is because relationships mattered to him, he worked at it. He made it important. It was a part of his life journey.
Wes was chronically homeless. Often he slept in covered spaces in the various neighborhoods between Ballard and the University District. We met when we were both sitting on a bench along the ship canal in Fremont. I don’t remember who said hello first but we struck up a simple conversation that then went deep quickly. That was Wes. He was not about surface talk, it had to have meaning. It was a conversation that led to a ten year friendship.
Wes was brilliant and beautiful, which made him extremely captivating. Added to that mixture was his enthusiasm, especially when talking about something he loved. I remember often, when he saw me outside, he would yell out to me, telling me to wait. As he rushed up, pulling a book out of his bag, he would be saying, “Oh my God, oh my God, have you read this book?” Usually I would say no which was an entry point for him to dive in, telling me something wonderful that he was learning.
Wesley Charles Green in 2015
One of the more difficult times I remember was when Wes was banned from the Ballard Library. There was some complaint made against him, some further miscommunication, and suddenly he was not allowed to come in. The library wasn’t just a warm place for Wes, it was his connection to books and access to knowledge on the internet. He was in a very dark place over it. After some back and forth with library management, Wes was again allowed to visit. The struggle of it for Wes reminded me how important something as simple as walking into a library is. How easy it is to miss the barriers those experiencing homelessness navigate every day.
Books, magazines with articles he found special, and family photos were all important to Wes. I started seeing lots more of him once I agreed to store his books and memorabilia in my architecture office. He would show up to drop something off or just to sit and go through a book already there. His presence in my office was something beautiful for me.
His presence was something beautiful for many people. A half a year ago a woman by the name of Mindy Fitzgerald, who lives in Magnolia, met Wes. They became fast dear friends. Here is what she wrote on her Facebook page about Wes’ passing.
I’m sharing this post to honor the life of my friend, and one of our Magnolia neighbors – Wesley Charles Green. Wesley was born October 4, 1976, in Edina, Minnesota and passed away on December 21, 2022, while living outside. He was 46. I suspect many folks in the area knew or knew of Wes – he was unhoused for many years and would be out and about in the neighborhood. I met him this past August while walking my dog and we became good friends. Wesley was a lover of life and people. He liked to take his shoes off outside to get grounded. And it didn’t really matter where we were. He loved books. And he was never without at least one (or 10). He collected National Geographic’s and loved to show them off. He loved music, playing the Fender acoustic and his harmonica. He loved basketball. He loved writing and button-down shirts. He loved Kombucha and milk. He loved “hashing it out” with just about anyone. He loved his tools and his beloved rake. He loved his good buddy Martin (Martino as he would say) and working with him, learning from him, and just talking when he needed a kind friend. And if you know Wes, there was a lot of listening. At times he was infuriating and exhausting. He was also kind, gentle and loving. He gave the best hugs, fist pumps and hip checks. He was so handsome. He was funny, charming and people were drawn to him. He lost things all the time. He spoke often of his love for his mother (his best friend and supporter he would say) and his entire family (in Minnesota and Chicago). He shared many happy memories and I know he missed them - and they loved him very much. He brought joy to my life and made it richer in so many ways. He reminded me that we’re all just human. We all have a story and life is never a straight line. Some take more twists and turns than others, but the important thing is to keep trying. And it’s okay to ask for help. There weren’t many days I didn’t speak to him or see him over the past five months. Step by step, we were on a positive path to a better life for him, he called me the master of lists. What’s the next thing he would say. He was proud of his progress. He was complicated and broken in many ways, but he was in there. The real Wes, I would tell him, I see you. We lost him this past Wednesday, 12/21/22. My heart is broken. But I know he is finally free, flying high beyond the stars, with his mother, and his shoes off, feeling more grounded than ever. You can rest now, buddy. I love you and I will miss you. -Mindy
There are many others, just like Mindy, that were touched by Wes' bright-light way in the world. You will be forever missed dear friend Wes by family and your many friends.
Rest in Peace brilliant and beautiful man. LOVE.
Wesley Charles Green in 2013
Often people living on the streets lose precious items to theft or inclement weather. Wes asked me to keep these scanned photos safe for him. His family has given the okay to share them. LOVE to you my friend.
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