Piotr Kraj (Greg Arcade) passed away this morning from an aggressive brain cancer, leaving behind his wife, Kalyn, and baby daughter.
Greg became a popular "Diagolon" personality in 2021 after he and I connected through online activism and became friends. In light of his death, I must address the controversial elephant in the room and clear the air.
Greg and I collaborated frequently in the past. From his Diagolon- and Canadian-themed musical contributions to website programming, Grift Shop (Dagwood!), and branding development, Greg was consistently supportive and helpful over several years. He even hosted me at his home in Manitoba and introduced me to some peculiarly strong โ and perhaps not exactly legal โ Polish alcohol that made me temporarily blind.
In the spring and summer of 2024, while assisting with the road tour and scheduled to perform, Greg's behaviour became erratic, confusing, hostile and paranoid.
At the time, it was unclear as to why or what had triggered this sudden change in character. Having grown accustomed to people sometimes deciding to attack me out of some perceived slight, jealousy or ego, I had chalked this latest departure up to more of that same childish, emotional immaturity; however, what none of us โ including Greg โ knew at the time was that an aggressive and ultimately terminal case of brain cancer was eating away at his mind.
I cut business and personal ties with Greg in July 2024 while my lawyers worked to untangle the mess. Eight months later, when he revealed his diagnosis, I was skeptical and uninterested, due to what I will simply describe as a severely poor ending to our relationship.
I was particularly frustrated and hurt that he would behave as he did while refusing to offer any explanation, despite years of mutual friendship during some of the darkest times in recent national history.
As it turns out, an explanation would arrive in a way no one wanted.
Cancer is a cruel and unfair way to go. Like Alzheimer's or dementia, anything that attacks and destroys the mind is, to a great degree, like dying twice. Not only do your family and friends suffer the the loss itself, but in many cases, they lose the actual person they've known and loved long before the heart stops beating.
While I knew him, Greg was a kind and generous man who supported his friends however he could. He would offer his hard work in musical efforts at steep discounted or even for free, spiting the industry he saw as filled with liars and scum. A true artist, he just wanted people to enjoy his music. He once told me he had long given up any aspirations of commercial success because it was "fake and gay" โ he "just wants to make music for his friends".
He had a heart and passion for the truth, for justice, and for our people.
I will remember Greg as the man he was before this contemptible disease took him from everyone he loved โ especially his wife and baby daughter.
If nothing else, his daughter will grow up with the small comfort of knowing that, when 99% of the so-called "men" in this country were too afraid stand up for themselves or their children in a time of crisis and uncertainty, her dad proudly stood apart from the sheep and cowards, daring the tyrannical, out-of-control authority to
"Come and get it!".
Greg's primary concern was always his family. If you feel moved to do so, you can provide them some financial support at the link below.
Thanks for the laughs, the tunes and the support when we all needed it most, Greg.
I'll see you at the after-party.
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๐
https://www.givesendgo.com/Helpgregkraj