Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 17 Mar 13 - 07:23 AM

So sorry to hear this sad news. It's been more than 3 years since we last met, in Banbury I believe. Lovely guy. Vanessa and I send our sympathies.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Verna
Date: 17 Mar 13 - 10:23 AM

Only got news yesterday as not currently at home in Ireland. Sue I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. You and Bob were there for me when I needed you which will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with you.   RIP Bob. Verna West Cork.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Martin Ellison
Date: 18 Mar 13 - 10:50 AM

I'm very sorry to hear this. One always expects to see certain friendly familiar faces around the Lancashire folk scene. Bob was one of those people, I didn't know him well but we always had a chat and he was very supportive and encouraging about my playing.
My condolences to Sue.

Martin Ellison

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: John J
Date: 19 Mar 13 - 06:16 AM

I'll be attending.

JJ

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Julian & Enid
Date: 20 Mar 13 - 06:02 AM

Such sad news. Our love and thoughts are with you.

It was Bob that introduced me to Mudcat...

Julian & Enid

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 01:43 PM

My thoughts were with you today Sue.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: nutty
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 02:42 PM

My thoughts were there as well - it was a lovely sunny and warm afternoon here in the East. I hope it was the same in Cheshire.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 05:45 PM

Me too, Sue - sorry I couldn't make it in the end, have only just got back from Middlesbrough.
Still thinking of you...

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: Noreen
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 06:46 PM

We gave Bob a great send off. Sue and family were (and are) surrounded by loving friends and family, and the day went as well as it possibly could.

Lovely tributes to Bob at the crem, with 'The Joy of Living' sung by all- very moving- and 'Crossing the Bar' performed so beautifully by those lovely Hissyfit gals.

Great singing after at the rugby club- of course!

Just wish so much that there hadn't been the reason for this gathering to happen.

Bye Bob x

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: GUEST,LINDA KELLY
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 06:54 PM

It was a wonderful send off. We will miss hiim.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: Pistachio
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 07:00 PM

Delighted that I was able to join Sue and the wonderful, brave van Gaalen Family at the celebration of the life of Bob today - with Linda and Ann. The sun shone, tributes were delivered, songs were sung and with much love the parting glass was raised.
Gone, not forgotten - and always looking on the bright side of life! Hx

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: John J
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 07:48 PM

What Noreen, Linda and Pistachio said. I really don't think the send-off we gave him could have been bettered. Bob would have approved.

One comment I heard repeated today: 'Bob was a lovely, lovely man'.

He most certainly was - and he'll remain in all our hearts forever more.

Cheers Bob!

JJ

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: SussexCarole
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 08:13 PM

Pipers, singers, memories shared, and a chapel filled with so many family and friends. What a fitting tribute to a lovely, gentle man.

Carole & Andrew xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: John Routledge
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 08:26 PM

The affection in which Bob was held was evidenced by an crem full to capacity and overflowing.

The comments of Linda Noreen Pistachio JJ Carole perfectly capture the atmosphere.It was very special.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 22 Mar 13 - 04:05 AM

A wonderful and really moving occasion - I started telling my wife about Hissyfit's "Crossing the Bar" this morning & choked up all over again. I didn't know Bob as well as some there, but I knew he was one of the good guys - a really lovely man (I was probably one of the people JJ heard saying so). Many thanks to Sue for organising such a good send-off.

Subject: RE: Obit: Bob van Gaalen (UK, 8 March 2013)
From: GUEST,Ian
Date: 22 Mar 13 - 08:58 AM

I can only echo the comments made above. A really fitting send off for Bob organised by the family.
Lots of memories of time spent with Bob came flooding back, times that will never be forgotten.

Look after yourself and the family Sue.

Hope to see you at a festival soon.
Ian, Suzanne and Hannah. Xxx