John Tristao and son Ty. (Photo from GoFundMe)
This one hits close to home.
John Tristao is one of the most talented guys I have ever known, and yet, even after he hit the big time (again), he always remained exactly the same.
The cat is cool, and he was cool when he was working for the Coupeville School District and when he was fronting for Creedence Clearwater Revisited.
Not being at the heart of the town’s gossip anymore, with Videoville being gone, I hadn’t heard about John’s health issues.
I didn’t know he had suffered a near-catastrophic incident in which his aortic valve tore “from the top of his heart all the way into the kidneys.”
I didn’t know he had an aortic aneurysm dissection, and that doctors barely saved his life.
My father, who worked nearly every day of his life, died suddenly, from an aortic dissection.
He was working one day, in the hospital later that day, and gone the next morning.
John Ritter died the same way.
Aortic dissections are hard to catch, and if you don’t know what you’re facing, almost impossible to stop.
The doctors were able to save John Tristao, and for that, I am deeply happy.
But now, finding out about his health problems, and how they have affected his family — all people I have known for years — I want to do whatever I can to help them.
John’s wife, Beth, is one of the hardest-working, light-up-your-life people I have been blessed to know.
She and her dad Leo painted the “new” Videoville (the building that is now Harada Psychical Therapy), and her spirit is truly contagious.
Their son Ty grew up, as many Coupeville kids did, in the aisles of the store, and his cousin, Emma Puharic, was one of my favorite co-workers when I was at Christopher’s on Whidbey in recent years.
With John unable to work, and with extensive hospital bills, the Tristaos could use all the help possible right now.
As we all know, I have little to no money myself, but I do have this blog, which reaches an ever-increasing readership, so I’m using it to help put the word out.
To find out much more about John’s situation, and possibly help him out, pop over to the GoFundMe page set up by friends of the family:
Coupeville Sports 
Thanks for sharing, David. I may not be able to do a lot, but I will be able to make some kind of a donation to help out. There are lots of good people out there, and their combined generosity can make a big difference. Many have been there for me, in my health struggles; I’m sure that your calling attention to this, will make a difference.
Creedence Clearwater Revisited always seems to be around to provide entertainment for well-deserved fund-raisers. It’s time to return the favor.
Thanks for sharing this information about Bulldog; I’d like you make me wish speedy recovery !!!
I was fortunate to see him twice in Argentina.
Marcos Soragni
Please give all John’s fans an update on how he is doing now in June.
My understanding is John continues to improve, though it’s a tough, up-hill fight.
The community, near and far, has rallied around the family and raised a good chunk of money to help with their bills.
I will talk to his wife and run a follow-up story. Thank you for bringing it up.