Hi sons and daughters of JD ---- a little bit about how he sustained himself .......... JD was a professional painter here on the island - as in house painter, not on canvas. He was the most meticulous guy in that respect - did a great job, charged a fair price and cleaned up after the job was done. He indeed had a wry wit and a genuine sparkle in his eye.
Last time I talked to him he said he had stopped drinking to try to improve his health. He was a decent man - well loved.
Treasure the knowledge that he was doing what he wanted to do in a place that accepted him and let him be himself.