Greg Brice, Alan's partner, died in July 2008. The cause of death was initially a mystery, but it now seems clear that he fell and hit his head, and landed in such a way that his nose and mouth were covered. Because the blow to the head had knocked him unconscious he was unable to move and clear his airway, and he suffocated.

Greg was one of life's true individuals. Quirky, idiosyncratic, one-of-a-kind — and mostly in a good way. While I enjoyed many of his eccentricities, I have to say that some of his career choices puzzled me, and his taste in television could only be described as atrocious. Judge Judy indeed! I had already figured that I was going to need a separate television in the guest bedroom if Alan and Greg were going to stay with me in Sydney.

But Greg was a good friend. He was loyal and conscientious, and he was genuinely supportive of those he cared about. His values were impeccably decent, and his judgement … well … er …

There was never any question that Greg was the right man for Alan. Alan has a very strong personality and he needed a strong partner — Greg was not someone to be easily intimidated, and while in other circumstances this could have led to unpleasant confrontations, both of them had the sense and the motivation to accomodate their differences. And they both benefitted from those differences — each bringing to the relationship quirks and characteristics that enriched both their lives.

And there is no doubt that Alan and Greg were devoted to one another. I often heard each of them make dismissive or negative comments about the other, mostly in jest although occasionally with an edge of real exasperation, but there was never any doubt about their underlying feelings — Alan loved Greg and Greg loved Alan.

As Alan's friend from before he met Greg, I know that Greg made Alan very happy, and I loved him for that. But as well, he was a lovely man in his own right. Goodbye Greg. We'll all miss you.