I have friends from years ago, who I haven't seen or even emailed with since I knew them, who, if something happened to them, would say, "They WERE a friend", so I wouldn't read too much into the use of "were" instead of "are" in this case.
If they HAD been a friend, yes. If you had a friend in 3rd grade, that you hadn't seen since or had any contact with since 6th grade, and 30 years later heard some news about them, would you say "He/she was a friend of mine", or "He/she is a friend of mine?"
Much anger, calm down! So how would you refer to someone you were friends with 30 or 40 years ago who you haven't seen or had any contact with in 30 or 40 years?
I have friends from years ago, who I haven't seen or even emailed with since I knew them, who, if something happened to them, would say, "They WERE a friend", so I wouldn't read too much into the use of "were" instead of "are" in this case.
If they HAD been a friend, yes. If you had a friend in 3rd grade, that you hadn't seen since or had any contact with since 6th grade, and 30 years later heard some news about them, would you say "He/she was a friend of mine", or "He/she is a friend of mine?"
Much anger, calm down! So how would you refer to someone you were friends with 30 or 40 years ago who you haven't seen or had any contact with in 30 or 40 years?