I think you guys may have mis-read what I said. I did edit it so I thought I'd clarify with this message. I do understand he was watching out for himself and his family. Regardless, usually when it's important we call. He happened to include it in a reply to another message of mine on a Monday morning after noting it was a done deal 3 days earlier. The weekend would have been easier to process the sudden change of events.
I didn't burn any bridges. I didn't unfriend anyone. I didn't block any communication. My reference/coworker and I have numerous connections including 2 emails each and he can chat, message, linkedin, G+, text, email, call or see me in a facebook group we both frequent and administer.
I work in a small world- we will encounter each other again. I hope he does succeed at his new position because now his success will influence how easy it is for me/my coworkers to do our daily business- and I like things to work.