For those a little longer in the tooth Gene Wilder will always be remembered as Willy Wonka. If you happen to be somewhat younger, you’ve probably come across that above picture in meme form at some point.

Wilder, who died at the age of 83 yesterday, was a cinematic comedy legend. Had his family disclosed his Alzheimer’s diagnosis three years back, there’s no doubt the world would have kept a close eye on proceedings.

Instead they kept it a secret, with Statnews outlining why below:

The decision not to disclose “was his choice,” [Wilder’s family] said, one made “in talking with us and making a decision as a family.”

They said Wilder did not want to disappoint “the countless young children that would smile or call out to him, ‘There’s Willy Wonka’” or expose them to the cruel realities of the disease.

“He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world,” the family said.

The family also added that his spirits remained high during his final years, and he was able to enjoy many of the things he had before the disease struck:

“He danced down a church aisle at a wedding as parent of the groom and ring bearer, held countless afternoon movie western marathons, and delighted in the company of beloved ones,” they said.

Sounds like a life well lived.

[source:statnews]