Obit: Smokey (September 2011)

Subject: Obit: Smokey
From: Peace
Date: 30 Sep 11 - 10:51 PM

It is with the deepest sadness I've felt in years that I inform the Mudcat membership that Smokey has passed on. He went in his sleep, and seemed at ease and at peace.

He was a man of great wit and well-considered humour: a humour with which he could disarm the most ill-felt hatred. He played piano such that one wondered why he had escaped the clutches of fame, but within the arms of which one felt the most wonderful warmth.

Those of you who knew him in real life will have stories to tell. I ask only that you keep his real name undisclosed until such time as his family decides it be disclosed.

Today, I encountered the following song--after two weeks of not exchanging messages or e-mails with Smokey. It will bring tears to your heart, never mind your eyes. It did and does to mine.

Smokey, I loved you then and I love you now.

Bruce

(Across) The Sands of Time

LYRIC ADD

Many are the days I see in your eyes
When winter never ends
Many are the friends that come to my mind
We'll never see again
But you'll come, come back soon
And you'll sing your own special tune


Many are the days I last saw your face
And winter calls to mind
Many are the mem'ries grow like a trace
Across the sands of time.
But you'll come, come back soon
And you'll sing your own special tune

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Jeri
Date: 30 Sep 11 - 11:05 PM

Bruce, I'm so sorry. I know the high regard in which you held him. My sympathy to you and to his family. We'll miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Sep 11 - 11:11 PM

Smokey

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Neil D
Date: 30 Sep 11 - 11:28 PM

So sorry to hear. Our condolences go out to his family and all who held him dear. Bruce, thanks for sharing you heart-felt reflections on your friend, for helping us to understand what a rare soul has passed from life, though not from the hearts of all who held him there.
                  Neil and Christina

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: GUEST,ChanteyLass
Date: 30 Sep 11 - 11:34 PM

Oh, my. I am sorry.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Little Robyn
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 03:54 AM

Smokey posted over 2,000 messages here. Follow the link from SRS.
RIP Smokey.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: David C. Carter
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 04:54 AM

Bruce,I really don't know what to say to you.
My sympathy goes out to you,his family and all those who knew him.
May he Rest In Peace.


David

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 05:47 AM

That's very sad news, he left behind a wife and small child I believe. What a loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: gnu
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 07:11 AM

RIP.

g

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 07:40 AM

... he will be missed indeed. I'll sing a song for him tonight.

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: scouse
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 09:06 AM

Didn't know him personally but my condolences to the family. I'll sing one for him now.
As Aye,
Phil.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Will Fly
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 10:08 AM

How sad - it was only a few months ago that we were talking about various music things. One of his last PMs to me ran as follows:

"Giz a shout if you want to hear my renditions of Joplin stuff - you'd be very welcome. I really like what I've heard of your stuff, by the way, and I owe you thanks for inciting me to a performable version of 'Daisy' on the guitar.

Sincerely,"
(name appended)

Life seems so short sometimes. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: rumanci
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 11:11 AM

The tears shed today for you don't seem the same as the tears of laughter your words so often brought. The ragtime melodies seem to have lost their upbeats today. I'm so sorry for your family and friends and Bruce for losing you but you'll live on in our hearts and smiles and memories so nobody will ever forget you. A good man. Thanks Smokey for being you.

rum

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 11:28 AM

I only knew Smokey from his Mudcat posts but I enjoyed his wit very much! My deepest sympathy to his family and his friends, especially Bruce! RIP!

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: fat B****rd
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 12:42 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this. My condolences to his family and friends.
Charlie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 03:15 PM

Sad news. My condolences to all who were close to him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 04:10 PM

My sympathies to all who knew him. (((hugs))) for those who were close, including you Bruce.

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Rapparee
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 04:54 PM

A good life is always too short. I understand your feelings, Bruce, and those of his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: akenaton
Date: 01 Oct 11 - 08:17 PM

Bruce...Thanks for posting this, I'm shocked to hear of Smokey's death.....I did not know him personally or that he was a friend of yours, but I enjoyed his unique style of posting and his gentle humour.
When things settle down here, I'll get in touch with you
So sorry...Ake.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 10:52 AM

Much love to you, Bruce....and to Smokey too.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 11:37 AM

Very sad Bruce. I am sorry you had to bring the news. Although I rarely agree with Akenaton, I do in this case. I would also add that in a crowd of folks around here who love to talk, he had a great way of articulating his thoughts.............

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: open mike
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 12:07 PM

He will be missed..glad to have exchanged posts with him here...sorry to hear about him, Bruce, my bestto his family and friends...

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Lox
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 12:57 PM

A good, principled, intelligent and fair man.


Sorry to see you go mate.


I wrote this recently for a friend, I guess its appropriate here too.


like drops of purest rain,
as children, hanging on
and as adults letting go,

journeying ever downwards,
from the wide blue above
to the great sea below.

The suns joyful light,
through their hearts
becomes a rainbow.

Ever onwards
to their destination
wherever the wind may blow

and the ripples of their passing
spread out
and touch the ones they know,

they are truly blessed
who nurture and enrich
and make us grow

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Lox
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 01:07 PM

rewrite ...


like drops of purest rain,
as children, hanging on
and as adults letting go,

journeying ever downwards,
from the wide blue above
to the great sea below.

The suns light,
through their hearts
becomes a rainbow.

Unafraid
towards their destination
wherever the wind may blow

The ripples of their passing
spread out
and touch the ones they know,

they are truly blessed
who nurture and enrich
and make us grow

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 01:18 PM

Here on Mudcat we're all friends & strangers at the same time; strangers with the friendship of common ground in a virtual world which is no less human because of that. The best of times (which is to say 99.999%) Mudcat feels like a cosy fireside around which to mouth off with fellow travellers in good humour. I crossed paths with Smokey on the George Formby thread the other day. He was, of course, spot on.

RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 01:56 PM

Sympathy to his family and friends and lots of frequent fond memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: topical tom
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 02:03 PM

So sorry for your loss, Bruce, and that of all Smokey's family and friends. RIP Smokey

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Beer
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 03:05 PM

Condolences to his love ones and friends.
Ad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Bob Landry
Date: 02 Oct 11 - 04:09 PM

I offer my sincere condolences to Smokey's family and friends

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: GUEST,xrisxroz
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 04:31 PM

Thank you folks. He left a partner, small children, family, many wonderful friends and me, his partner for 15 incredible, creative years. Blessings to you all, it's great to know his music was so appreciated and lives on.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Genie
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 09:00 PM

My sincere condolences to you and your family and to all Smokey's friends, xrisxroz.   I wasn't privileged to know Smokey very well, even online, but based on the comments here from those Mudcatters who did know him well, I'd say he was a very special person and his parting leaves a big void.   It is good to know that he left music to live on.

Genie

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Kent Davis
Date: 05 Oct 11 - 10:54 PM

Smokey's posts were interesting and well-written. He was a respectful but keen adversary in debate.   

His death is a great loss to Mudcat, but so much greater a loss to those of you who really knew him. I wish I had.

I am so sorry that he is gone.

Kent

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: saulgoldie
Date: 06 Oct 11 - 05:56 AM

I don't remember knowing Smokey. But it is sad to lose one of our family. RIP, and thoughts and prayers to his family.

Saul

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Oct 11 - 04:04 AM

Smokey and I often disagreed, sometimes quite strongly. But we always respected each other, and I came to think of him as a friend.
May he rest in peace.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey
From: GUEST,JRG
Date: 16 Oct 11 - 03:47 PM

Hi folks I am a long time friend of smokey.
I feel I must say thank you from his family and friends and him in his absence, for your kind words.

Subject: RE: Obit: Smokey (September 2011)
From: GUEST,Big sister
Date: 07 May 15 - 06:35 PM

Still missing him x