Been that long eh.  I bought my first, and still have it,  Schon from Eye Doc.  That would have been shortly after my Join date.  Probably the first major cue that I purchased on AZ.
In the process of restoring it at the moment. Got a little side tracked.  Had a couple of small dings in the fore arm. Nothing bad. Just filled them in and needs a finish on the upper.  Not doing the sleeve as it is ok and I want to retain the original wrap.  The wrap is worn perfect, nice and smooth.
Twas a good guy to deal with.  He put my mind at ease, sending off $500 to someone that I didn't know.  If ya don't mind me asking, did they ever determine what caused him to drive off the road that night.  I remember that post that was made after it happened.  He was retuning from some pool event if I remember.   I had always enjoyed his posts and pics of cues and cases.  Eye Doc With a Passion.  I remember one pic of a huge piece of Python. By his swimming pool.  He was going to have that made into a case I believe.  
Take care Vinnie. I think all of us have been thru this at some point or another.  Its a toughy to lose a best Bud.  Obviously, you were and still are a good friend to him.