A Tribute to the people we lost in 2005

We just found out today that the wife of my Mum’s ex-boss died yesterday. She had been in hospital for ages and my Mum had been wondering how she was doing, as she knew her and worked with her in the shop. When we got the local newspaper today her name was in the deaths column 🙁

Nice touch may i say.

We’ve lost very good memeber here this year, i knew captainben more, but still the losses have been felt allover the forum

My rememberences go firstly to :-

Michael Park, a co-driver of Markko Martin. I am a massive Rally fan, and i follow any Ford team driver. Markko and Michael were both employed to ford up until 2004, but for some reason, i stuck with Martin and Park, despite their move to Peugeout. Park was a very funny member of the WRC family. Made me laugh many a time with his in-car comments, i.e talking about Football to Markko, despite the car going at 120 mph!
He was really a great bloke, who i also met in South Wales in 2003.
September was a month that touched my heart. All the best Beef!

Richard Burns, also one top bloke. I was never really a Burns fan, as he drove for Subaru (who i hate with passion 🙂 ) and Peugeot. But that didnt mean i didn’t like him. He drove his heart out every time, especially in Wales Rally GB 2001, where he won the championship, where another 3 could snatch it from him. He was a great character too, and it has been sad to think since 2003, we haven’t had a British driver in the WRC, after his blackout on his way to his home event. I was saddened to hear his death last month. All the best to you too Rich!

Also one or two of my neighbours have left us too, all the best to them!

We should remember Steve Young and Captainben, both contributors to the forums who died this year.

I personally don’t know anyone who has died, but we should spare a thought for all those families whose loved ones were murdered on 7th July in London, and indeed anyone who has lost a loved one this year.

My uncle passed away after suffering from a stroke in late November. He not only was my uncle but he was also a father to me and his three sons. He was a great man who made my family laugh with his zany sense of humour. I will miss him greatly. Watching the World Cup won’t be the same!

One of my best mates Gav & his sister Karen and their best friend Phil in an accident on the M4 Nr Slough 10 days before Christmas, will always be missed
RIP mate

Dean

There have been so many deaths of notable people this year, both personal to me and on a world scale. The biggest for me was the death of my father, Gordon Homewood, after a long battle with cancer. He died on the 23rd of July 2005. Three of his good mates have also died, one just days after Dad did.

On a note towards my research into RNZAF people, I have lost friends whom I’ve interviewed, including:
Gp Capt Bill Wells (pilot)
Tristram Hill (pilot)
Roy Paton (mechanic)
May Calvert (wife of bomber pilot and longtime friend)

Other notable wartime RNZAF deaths this year have been
Maurie Pirie (bomber pilot)
Theo MacLean de Lange (Dauntless pilot and Sqn Commander)

New Zealand has also lost two important political figures:
Sonya Davies
David Lange

On a world scale, some very notable names, among many others, include:

Lord Lichfield
Rosa Parks
Ronnie Barker
Richard Pryor
Sir John Mills
Prince Rainier III
Pope John Paul II
Dave Allen
Arthur Miller
Simon Weisenthal
James Doohan beamed up
Don Adams
Pat Morita
Peter Jennings
Hunter S. Thompson
Max Schmeling

may i wish a few condolences?

captainben – he was a young member of our forums who sadly passed away a couple of moths back

Luther Vandross – now to me, on July 1st, my life stopped. I had my upmost respect for the guy. He sung legendary timeless records. He was so into his music expressing such feeling and emotion. He was my idol in life and he will be greatly missed but never forgotten (Luther Vandross 1951 – 2005)

Richard Burns – For those of you who are into the WRC scene then youll see where im coming from. Richard was young, vibrant and died of a Brain Tumour 2 days after George Best died. He was Britains best ever Rally Driver.

The Luther Vandross one may not mean a lot to you but in future if you ever hear a track by him, please show some sort of compassion for the legend taken before his time

Eddie Guerrero 1967-2005

I didn’t lose any family members but Eddie Guerrero, a very respected professional wrestler, passed away. Non wrestling fans were also mourning over his death, as he was such a bold figure and a great man. Rest In Peace. 🙁