Time is a thing we must accept.
The unexpected I sometimes
fear.
Just when I feel there's no
excuse for what happens,
things fall into place.
I know there is no way to
avoid the pain that we must
go through, to find the other
half that is true.
Destiny is what we all seek.
Destiny was waiting for you
and me.

I believe behind confusion,
awaits the truth for us.
Past the obstacles we face.
I value our life and trust.
Years of questioning why
things happen the way they
do in life.
Wishing that I could turn back
time, so we could join our
souls.

 

 

 

Dear Chuck,

The time has unfortunately come for us to write the words that should never have to be written. Your long, hard fight is over, and despite your tremendous effort, you faced an unbeatable foe. You mean so much to all of us, and we will all miss you greatly. The music that touched our lives, YOUR music, will live on in our hearts forever, and will continue to inspire generations to come.

You wanted to go on the road with Control Denied, and spend time with your fans, thanking them for the years of support. You leave us before you could do this, but it is YOU that should be thanked, for the memorable and wonderful music that you shared with us all.

While our pain is true, we can know nothing of those who lost a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend and a bandmate. We send our deepest condolences and warmest thoughts to your mother and father, your sister and her son, your friends, and your bandmates. Their pain is great only because great was their love for you. May you rest in peace.

The EmptyWords team, December 15, 2001

 

 

 

May 13, 2002

Today is Chuck's birthday and all of you can imagine what a very sad day it is for us without him. I was searching for the right words to express how I feel today and I remembered this poem, a bit of it is on the memorial video so I am asking Yvonne to put it on the emptywords site. I want to thank all of you who realized that Mother's Day was difficult also and sent me emails and cards, even flowers, to wish me well on that day. And today many of you realize it's his birthday and are sending your thoughts my way. Thank you for that comfort.

Jane Schuldiner

We miss all that you were
We miss all that you would have become
We miss all that you did
We miss all that you would have done
We miss all that you said
We miss all that you would say
We miss loving you
We miss all the love you had for us
We had so much love, joy, hope,
peace and dreams for the future
Now we have so much pain, sorrow,
grief, loss, anger, remorse, broken
hearts and broken dreams that have
destroyed our peace, hope and future
We hold on to our precious memories
but it will never be enough
For nothing we will ever have or do can
fill the vast hole in our hearts and lives
when we lost you.
Missing you always.....
Loving you forever.....
Forgetting you never.....

 

MEMORIAL ARTICLES


With every 2000 entries we have to open a new book of condolences, the full books will be sent over to Chuck's family. We want to thank you very much on their behalf, for all the kind words of comfort. The response has been overwhelming.

Sign the book of condolences
Book I | Book II | Book III | Book IV | Book V | Book VI | Book VII | Book VIII
Guestbook I

Memorial page 2 (collection of official sympathies)

Make a difference and join the Death/Control Denied team at United Devices

 

  December 13 2002 

IN LOVING MEMORY OF CHARLES 'CHUCK' SCHULDINER

May 13, 1967 - December 13, 2001

My dearest Chuck, a beautiful light went out in our world the day you left us, and it has been an awful struggle to go on without you this past year. The pain and emptiness goes on unabated, as you knew it would, but we are trying to be strong, as I promised you. Your fans worldwide have been very supportive, writing to share their feelings and telling me of the positive impact your music had, and still continues to have in their lives. I take some comfort in their words: Chuck will never die, he will always live on through his music. That's a nice thought to keep close, isn't it? There are many memorials and tributes being held around the world for you today, and the fans are taking videos so they can share the memories with me. You would be so proud of them. I love you, son.

Loving and missing you forever, Forgetting you never Until....

Mom and Dad, and
beloved sister, Bethann, and
nephew, Christopher
 

 

 

December 13 2002

We can't believe a year has passed already... it seems like only yesterday that Jane sent us her devastating message... Our thoughts are with those who were close to Chuck and we wish them lots of strength to get through this dreadful day... Today we also want to thank everyone who supported us and encouraged us to continue with EmptyWords, to keep Chuck's metal spirit alive. Your messages of encouragement and support mean a lot to us.

Before we conclude the editorial comments about the anniversary of Chuck's passing, some good news: knowing that Jane answers a lot of questions from fans personally, we came up with the idea of a Q&A page as sort of an ongoing interview for everybody to read. Jane would love to answer questions. So send your 'ultimate' question to Q&A@emptywords.org. As soon as we have gathered enough Questions and Answers we're going to publish them on the new Perennial Questions page.

The sitekeepers

fan art by Paul Aaron Kenny

Having worked for EmptyWords for a while, I had seen some pretty rough assignments. Most articles, when translated, go through 2 or 3 languages before they get to my inbox. Some of them are very difficult... But there was no task more difficult than writing/editing Chuck's EmptyWords "eulogy." Mentally, it was extremely taxing, especially considering he was still with us... We were all saving it for that inevitable day, all of us hoping that it would collect dust long before it ever got used.

Everyone had hope of at least a partial recovery or remission. There were signs there to give us hope. Sadly the day came, and on 13 December, 2001, the metal community lost one of its most prominent and inspirational figures. The outpouring of support from all over the world was overwhelming. No one could deny the impact of Chuck's work on the current state of metal. That is one of the reasons that EmptyWords is still here. We work hard to honor an amazing talent, who was taken from us too soon.

I recently went to a show in New York City. One of the openers covered "Scavenger of Human Sorrow." Before they played it the singer dedicated it to the memory of Chuck Schuldiner. The crowd went berserk. Everyone in the building understood Chuck's genius and paid their respects to a legend. For those few minutes, Chuck once again lived on through that band, and through all of us. We miss you Chuck.

Matt Medeiros