I used to work with him, he was someone who was close at the time. He had a heart condition and was in his 60s, a couple of big health scares. The last few years I spoke to him a few times; about mutual friends, his daughter's wedding, projects at work. I last saw him at a mutual friend's funeral pre-covid, he was very sad and said he wasn't well. I haven't heard from him in a long time and realised a text last year wasn't answered. I called and his phone is disconnected. He had that phone number at least 12 years that I've known him. He wasn't on social media, but I looked on a work area and nothing from him in two years. One friend asked me how he is; I don't know anyone else who would have known him better than us.
So, he's gone. I don't know his wife nor children, if I could even find them there's nothing much to say. He was just a lovely, gentle and funny man, and I enjoyed working with him. How do people part from acquaintances? Do I just assume he's died and lightly grieve accordingly, or do I pretend he might be out there and ok? Either approach seems fake, but then so does chasing up a man without quality checks.