Founder of Bugle Dies at 65

Flubug Memorial Hospital – The founder, co-creator and inspiration behind this paper and indeed the entire concept of Flubug and Down County died today in a real-life equivalent of Flubug Memorial Hospital in New York. He was 65.

Dean Wartti, who also co-founded the satirical country-swing ensemble, CDC Boys, in the mid-80s, died peacefully (on morphine) after a three month battle with nearly every malady known to man and a hopelessly inept staff who rotated daily to ensure no one ever knew his chart, status, name or even whereabouts while under their “care.”

As The Bugle’s Chief Executive Officer, a position he held from its inception in 2009 until his death, Dean led the paper through its tumultuous beginnings to its dizzying success (at one point attracting over 100 followers). He created nearly every character, business, town, landmark, government agency, history, organization and storyline in Flubug. With his lifelong co-collaborator, Andrea, they created a town originally intended to be a digital resting place for the CDC Boys. But as with all their endeavors, it became so much more. Indeed, the sprawling, township became so life-like an acquaintence (since unfriended) once asked if the two of them had indeed moved to Flubug.

Dean is survived by his mother, sister, hundreds of virtual residents pursuing meaningless lives in Down County, a $3,000 bill for back rent, and (last but not least) his collaborator of thirty-five years who will probably spend the rest of her life digging through the 1,500 emails he sent with conceptual content that somehow never made it into The Bugle. At least we’ll have material for the next decade.

From all of us at The Bugle (who by the way haven’t been paid in eleven years), Rest in Peace, Dear Friend! You’ve earned your place in the sun.

Services will be held at Flubug Cemetery this Sunday where against his wishes, in keeping with Down County tradition, The Quadracostal Assembly of Temporary Mercy Singers will present their rendition of  “Closer My God to Thee.”