Love and Death and Networking

I just called a long-time industry acquaintance in my bid to open up my network. Anyway, it was mostly friendly chit chat until I said, "So, how's (your sweetheart)?" And there was a pause and he said, "She passed away a little over a year ago. She fell, hit her head and had a stroke." This is not a joking man. I was dumbstruck, still am. He was and I assume, is, so in love with her. Sorta high school sweethearts, just never could get enough of each other. 26 years together. He adored her. I can't imagine it. There aren't words.