God bless you, Dr. Kevorkian (19 page)

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Peter Pellegrino, who died last March 26, age eightytwo, in his home in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Mr. was a founder of the Balloon Federation of America, and the first American to cross the Alps in a hot air balloon, and a validator of ballooning records for the National Aeronautic Association, and a balloon pilot examiner for the

He asked if

been a balloonist, and I said no. This was outside the Pearly Gates. I'm not allowed inside anymore. If I go inside again, Saint Peter says I'll be a keeper.

Saint Peter explained to Pellegrino that I wasn't

dead, that I was simply having a near-death experience, and would soon be back among the living. When Pellegrino heard that, he said, "For God's sake,

a tank of propane and a balloon while you've still got time, or you'll never know what Heaven is!"

Saint Peter protested. "Mr. Pellegrino," he said,

"this Heaven!"

"The only reason you can say that," said Pellegrino,

"is because you've never crossed the Alps in a hot air balloon!"

Saint Peter said to me, "Not only do you still have time to go ballooning. You might also write a book with the title,

and Its

He said to

Pellegrino, ironically of course, "If you'd had crack cocaine on Earth, I suppose Heaven would also be a

"Bingo!" said Pellegrino.

o o

Even as a child, he said, he knew he belonged up in