BIRTHDATE: April 11, 1948 URS Date: March 17, 2016
Obituary of Azim Goldrick
Canaan, NY –
Azim Stephen Goldrick, long-time resident of Canaan, NY died on March 17, 2016 at the home of friends in New Lebanon, NY after a brief illness.
He was a devoted Buddhist practitioner, participant in sweat lodges at Spirit Hollow in Bennington, VT, a dedicated member of the Sufi Community at the Abode of the Message in New Lebanon, NY, an accomplished musician and active member of the Chatham, NY community. He will be remembered for offering a helping hand, a kind word, and wise advice to his friends, the various communities in which he participated, and everyone whom he met.
The community at the Abode of the Message saw him in many roles: farm manager, cook, repairman par excellence, and community conscience. The Chatham community will remember Azim as a charter member of the Chatham Peace Initiative and veteran of many peace vigils. He played guitar at many open mics in and around Chatham and Hudson, NY, and Great Barrington, MA, and volunteered as an usher for many years at the Egg in Albany, NY.
Azim is survived by his brothers Matt (Theresa), Tony (Terry), and Richard (Nim) and his sisters Corinne Fischer (Ray) and Lisa, many beloved nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
He was pre-deceased by his brother, Kerry (Cheri).
A memorial service will take place at the Abode of the Message, 5 Abode Road, New Lebanon, NY on April 9th at 9:45 am.
Please visit caringbridge.org/visit/AzimGoldrick for more information.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Hope Project (PO Box 657, New Lebanon NY 12125), a service project in New Delhi, India that Azim visited and supported, or your favorite charity.
I want to add my heartfelt condolences on the passing of our great friend Azeem. For me visiting the Abode will not be the same without his warm presence. Azeem was incredibly hospitable and generous each time I met him.
Whenever I would say goodbye he would stand by the little steps until the car left the driveway, his eyes filled with a benevolent, deep, prayerful farewell.
I feel very lucky to have known him. I sense Azeem’s presence and gain much peace knowing he intends to remain close to us even as he journeys on into great Love.
So sad to hear of Azim’s passing. He was extraordinarily generous. He gave me body work for nothing a number of times, simply because he could sense I was in pain. I looked up to him as one who walked his talk. We exchanged music, something he loved, even as he was modest about his skill. I admired his capability, fixing things at the Abode. I was always happy to see him, and will miss him next time I’m in New Lebanon. Fly free, gentle soul.
Thank you, Azim for your kindness & beautiful light.
Blessings on your way!
Thank you, Azim, for your kindness & beautiful light.
Blessings on your way!
Azim was a fine friend with a kind word for all. We will miss him! ‘Till we meet again, Bodhisattva, rest, peacefully rest…
The thing I remember most about Azim is his self effacing identity as a healer. In the years I lived at the Abode many people shared their experience of him as a healer. He had a powerful healing presence. He had healing hands.
I also remember Azim as someone who was ready to help if there was a need. He would step up when times were difficult, to be the one to offer service.
His dedication to Pir Vilayat was ever present. I imagine them working on Pir’s current lodging somewhere beyond life, in a place of love and peace.
May your journey continue to be beautiful Azim.
Love,
Devi
I think of Azim as a dear wise kind friend. I loved spending time with him when ever I attended program at the Abode and sought him out. A few memories include having gentle talks about things that matter, Azim driving that old tractor with the wind sweeping back his beard, and the light in his eyes when he showed me new rocks for identification. He really liked rocks and minerals, especially the healing power and energy they bring. He provided his unique healing to both me and my son Scott on numerous occasions, lying on a table outside in nature, while he aligned energies with his rattle, stones, where he stood and his connection to Creation. He built me a kneeling bench when my knees stiffened up, and when it proved to be not quite high enough, he added to the leg length so skillfully that you can hardly tell there was a join there. He lived his life just the way he wanted it, balancing lots of alone time with people time as he wished. There was a lot of freedom in him. He was so good with his hands, building things, and putting his presence into everything he did. I never saw him mad. The Abode, the world and I am better because of his being here. I am certain his next stop on the journey will be too. I miss you Azim.
Another beautiful soul has left the Abode to join Pir Vilayat in the realms of light. He was not only ours here at the Abode but belonged to a number of other communities as well. This was in evidence at the Sacred Fire that was held for him on Saturday as friends from so many different ways of knowing him came together to celebrate him. In all he was known for his compassionate spirit and selfless service – and his music! And I will always remember how with that slightly mischievous smile he would utter that single word, “Hey!”
Coming from love and returning to love, brother! Your heart just keeps getting bigger. Your passing opens me.
May the compassionate caring and sharing that Azim embodied always be part of the atmosphere of the Abode and of our community, communities.
In love,
Azad
We have lost a great human being. Great because of his humility, and his pursuit of the Truth. Great because he was devoted to service. Great because he was transparent and guileless. Murshid writes about the Art of Becoming Human. Azim was a great exemplar. He understood what the path to becoming human entailed, and he walked this path with sincerity and determination.
I feel blessed to have known you.
Love, Khushi
Jim Leff
March 18 at 5:50pm ·
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A fellow passed yesterday, someone whom I knew only a little, but considered him a friend. Azim Steven Goldrick lived near the Abode, the Sufi community east of Albany. He was quiet, worked hard, always helped out, was a nontraditional healer (as I experienced when I hurt my knee one summer, and he gave me several healing sessions that were subtle yet powerful, without accepting any compensation). He would appear in the kitchen to help clean up at night, cut grass, plowed snow, and probably a million other quiet services that made the community function, all without fanfare. I will miss him very much, as I know that the whole community will. Journey on my friend, you will be remembered with love
Ya Azim!! You brought such love, joy, music, presence, and healing. Thank you for celebrating my name at its birth and modeling for me the true meaning of Azim. My love follows you on the wings of sound.
I didn’t know Azim as well as other commentators here. We crossed paths as guitarist at an open mic. Azim taught me through example about sincere gentle kindness and humility. It was not an easy lesson to learn about myself. I feel fortunate that I saw Azim a few years ago in a very unexpected drive by meeting on Chair Factory rd. He’s not someone I’ve ever forgotten and I hope he’s on a bright and tuneful path now.
Words can’t contain the deep gratitude for having met and being graced by Azim’s beautiful being. I would like others to know there is a beautiful video of Azim in a puja ceremony on the Friends of the Abode Facebook group page. It captures his essence.