Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Sep 15 - 03:54 PM

Sad to hear it. Like others I enjoyed his posts and conversations

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 05 Sep 15 - 05:05 PM

Yes, my friend of 62 years has passed on.

I'm not going to bore anyone with remeberances ... I pretty well covered those in the article that I wrote this spring and that Stewart thoughtfully linked in his announcement of Don's death (thank you Stewart).

How do you say goodbye to a close friend of so many years? You don't!

I just had a call from Rapaire, back in Idaho. Some years ago I brought Mike to visit Don at his Capital Hill home in Seattle. They had connected by e-mails before meeting in person enough to know each other a little. On our way back to my house after that visit, I could tell that Mike had deeply moved by the experience of meeting Don in person.

I was thinking out loud this morning with "Bride Judy" ... when I think of the "old timers" (for lack of a better term) that were the powershouses of the Seattle folk scene starting in the nineteen fifties, you remember, Walt Robertson, Dick Landberg, Elmar Lanczos, Patti McLaughlin, Stan James, John Dwyer, and some other who have since hung up their guitars, I'm beginning to feel like the last one left.

It's a very lonely feeling.

In mike's phone call, he asked if there was anything he could do. I'll answer him now via this note: "OF COURSE THERE IS, MIKE! Bring him back to life ... DAMNIT!

But, truth be told, he'd worn his body out many so times over the limit and we all know that his physical suffering is now gone.

Don ... MINA RAAKASTAAN SINUA ... bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,Pete from seen stars link
Date: 05 Sep 15 - 05:15 PM

Was shocked to open mudcat and find this. We usually disagreed on threads below the line but I usually found Don gracious and thoughtful, and more so recently. I hope that was mutual.    Condolences to his loved ones.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: kendall
Date: 05 Sep 15 - 05:57 PM

Another block in the mudcat's foundation gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan cookieless in Glasgow:
Date: 05 Sep 15 - 06:28 PM

A huge loss.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 05 Sep 15 - 07:08 PM

So sorry to hear of this. Condolences to his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Sep 15 - 09:58 PM

"GUEST Rappa" was me.

I would if I could, Bob. Believe it! But you're right about him wearing out his body so many times...and now he's again winning fencing matches AND playing the guitar at that same time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Sep 15 - 10:26 PM

What Kendall said. Another fine Mudcatter gone, but Mudcat is a better place for him having been here.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 01:10 AM

I spoke with Barbara this evening. It was a gush of names and places and song memories - I'm glad to say that she and Don's son, Don, have his book well in hand. Hopefully it will see the light of day (now that he finally can't edit it any more).

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 03:21 AM

adding my condolences - as so many have said, he will be sorely missed

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 05:59 AM

Oh I am so sorry to read this. Another good Mudcatter has left us, whose posts I always enjoyed and respected. Gone and not to be replaced. R.I.P.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Hrothgar
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 07:28 AM

I wish I had met him in person.

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Smedley
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 07:30 AM

RIP. He was the possessor of a particularly well-attuned bullshit detector and his posts were always a highlight here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 12:31 PM

This is being a very difficult time for Don's many friends in the Seattle area. I would like to add this one thought: "Grief is the price of love." bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Janie
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 02:29 PM

Indeed, Bob.

It is clear how much Don was valued and will be missed within this virtual community. I can not know but can imagine how much sharper the sense of loss is for those of you who knew and liked, especially those you who knew him closely and loved him.

May his wife, son, you and all who loved him find some measure of solace in knowing you are surrounded by care and concern from so many of us in this virtual community.

Hope you know that you, who have long been another of the foundation bricks of this virtual community, and with whom you and Don chose to share on-line your abiding friendship and love for one another built over time, are especially held in the thoughts of many of the rest of us here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 04:27 PM

It's more than the Seattle area, Bob. It's across the country and the globe.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 04:40 PM

I just talked with Don's widow, Barbara. She seems to be doing O.K. Exhausted, of course. Don Firth's son "Donnie" has been with her. She told me that ALL of Don's many local friends have been checking in with her. She also said that they will likely be holding a memorial service in late September or early October at their local church.

There is a hole in my heart where Don used to live ... bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Stewart
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 05:07 PM

It is very moving and heartwarming to see all the love and regards that Don has been given in this thread. He certainly touched many people in this community.

When I moved to Seattle in 1996 and discovered Mudcat, I read one of Don's posts and was so moved by it that I PM'ed him, and through Don met Bob, and my life in folk music totally changed. The friends I made through Don and Bob, here in Seattle and also on Mudcat have been wonderful. So I would say that Don had a great influence on me, and I am grateful to have known him.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Fred Maslan
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 05:30 PM

My sister Ruth hosted hoots occasionally at my parents house and my brother Mike and I would sneak out of bed and poke our noses (and ears) into the living room. The voices I heard then are still with me today, Walt and John, Stan and now Don are all singing at the celestial Hoot. May Dons family be comforted by his memory.

Fred

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 06 Sep 15 - 11:13 PM

Sixty two years of memories have been flooding our household since we learned of Don's passing. There one story that I would like to share with everyone: It was November of 1959. Don and I had been 'living off our guitars' in the San Francisco area for the previous several months, and it was time for us to return to Seattle. Our last night in Sausilito, we were celebrated by a huge party of local friends. The bestest of the best folk musicians all came and the music lasted 'till early morning.

We were staying the night at the hillside home of Juanita Montrand. Her house was located on a steep hill, 176 steps above the street, where my car was parked.

If you've learned anything of Don over his Mudcat years, you also know that he suffered a polio attack at the age of two. The damage to his body required that when he dressed himself every morning, he had to strap on a very heavy and cumberson steel and leather, ridgid leg brace that went from the sole of his shoe to his thigh. It usually took him serious time achomplish this feat. When this feat was done, he then needed to drag himself through whatever lay in store for that day, by using two strap on crutches, one in each hand.

As we said farewell to the Montrand family the next morning, they all gathered on the large deck overhanging the steep steps. They serenaded us with "Al Morrir La Tarde." (I still hear their voices.)

Don and I started down those damned steps. He insisted on carrying his own guitar, as usual. Each step took a toll on him, the guitar case would bang him as he fought for balance, I could hear the grinding and the creaking of the brace against his skin.

When we finally reached the car, stowed the guitars, and started to leave, Don uttered THE ONLY COMPLAINT I ever heard him say: "You know something ... I'm not going to miss those damned steps!"

bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: alanabit
Date: 07 Sep 15 - 05:07 AM

Thanks for that Bob. I am rarely at Mudcat these days, but I am very sad to hear of Don Firth's passing. He was one of the very best here and he will be greatly missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Sep 15 - 02:42 PM

Mudcat is peppered with classic Firth posts like this one. I will miss him. Closest cognates to some of the lore he posted came from the late John in Kansas and Malcolm Douglas. Each had their own bailiwicks, and took the time to spell out the details of what made the song, performance, composer, history, etc. important. This is buried treasure at Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,DrWord
Date: 07 Sep 15 - 03:02 PM

Well put, Acme. Don's posts are indeed a treasure. Just like to express condolences to his family & friends, and to echo many of the voices here. Folk like Don Firth make Mudcat a truly amazing community and a fabulous resource. Awaiting the book :)
Keep on pickin'
dennis

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: CapriUni
Date: 07 Sep 15 - 04:12 PM

Well ... damn.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 07 Sep 15 - 04:39 PM

Got back from the wilderness to read this. My heart is with the family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Sep 15 - 04:48 PM

What I thought about Don, was that he was the Real Thing - not a derivative folkie like me and a lot of us, but a man who had lived through the legendary times of folk music. His stories and his life experiences fascinated me, and his posts were always interesting. His insights were wise, even those few times that I disagreed with him. And in every post, I could see what a good man he was.

Rest in peace, Don. You lived a good life, right to the end. We'll miss you.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,bbc
Date: 07 Sep 15 - 06:20 PM

Sorry to hear this news!

Best,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,george austin
Date: 07 Sep 15 - 09:48 PM

Don was a good friend and an outstanding individual.
My thoughts are with his wife and son during these times and I will miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 08 Sep 15 - 07:50 AM

So sorry to hear this. I'm another one who only knew him through his posts here, but he came across as a really great guy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Sep 15 - 01:29 PM

Rest in Peace. There is no doubt in my mind that Bob will continue to celebrate his life.
Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,MikeL2
Date: 08 Sep 15 - 02:23 PM

Hi

Such sad news.

Although I was never lucky enough to meet Don, Through Mudcat I feel that I knew him.

Rest In Peace Don.

Condolences to Family & friends.

In sadness
7
Mike

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Brian Peters
Date: 08 Sep 15 - 05:52 PM

Sad news. I'm another who greatly appreciated Don's posts here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 08 Sep 15 - 06:43 PM

He seemed like quite a guy and made good use of his time on this earth.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 08 Sep 15 - 07:19 PM

Don said about 5 years ago that he was working on a memoir of his early years, and of the Seattle Folk scene. Was this ever completed? I used to really enjoy Don's stories of those early years. He was the real thing in a world of wannabees.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 08 Sep 15 - 07:37 PM

Don's son Donnie has taken the uncompleted manuscript back to his home, He and Don's widow have vowed to complete the book. bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Sep 15 - 08:26 PM

R.I.P,
I liked his posts, he was a Mudcat poster, whose posts I often agreed with, I will miss him

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Mark Clark
Date: 09 Sep 15 - 03:21 PM

Very sad to stop in here today and find this thread. RIP Don Firth. Ya done good.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,RoyH
Date: 09 Sep 15 - 03:25 PM

Like many others who have posted on this thread I never met Don, but came to feel that I knew him through his postings. So sad to hear of his passing. Condolences to his family and friends. Thanks you Don, and Rest in Peace. ROY

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,Ruth Maslan Sassoon
Date: 09 Sep 15 - 09:14 PM

Corny jokes, competitive punning, Don's great voice and encyclopedic
repertoire, Elmer calling, saying "hoot" and giving an address --
great memories. Barbara, and Donnie, please find strength in all the
love Don inspired in all of us.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 09 Sep 15 - 09:57 PM

You are so right Ruthy. Those indeed were the days and some of the very essence of Don was so well reflected in what made up these marvelous times and hoots.MY gosh ... you and I were both still in high school when those marvelous hoots started. You even used to host them at your parents home ... how well I remember.

You might remember that if Don was late in arriving, we'd often just dilly dally around because he was "the master." Even if we'd tuned our guitars to suit ourselves, we always knew we'd have to re-tune to match his damned tuning fork.

BUT ... when everyone was finally in tune to his satisfaction ... boy did the music flow. Song after song after story, after bad joke, and then more songs. There was NEVER a single bad energy in room ... we were just all celebrating the music and each other ... and DON WAS KING!

Someone told me recently that at our ages, we should expect these kinds of losses. But I never expect them, and the older I get, the loss is bigger.

Ruthy your advice is good ... remember the love and companioship that he gave. CHEERS, bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Janie
Date: 09 Sep 15 - 10:14 PM

Thank you to those of you who are beginning share memories of the 3-D Don.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Sep 15 - 11:15 PM

When there were hoots at our house in West Seattle or later in Everett, they would always jovially sing a few kids songs before we were sent upstairs to bed. Like we were going to go to sleep - we sat at the top of the stairs (out of sight around the corner) or at the top of the heater vent from the living room and listened to the songs. Our parents knew we were there, as we confirmed when we sang some of those songs ourselves later.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 09 Sep 15 - 11:46 PM

Don Firth was the stuff of legend, as was the likes of Walt Robertson, Sandy Paton, and countless others.

As the shock of his passing has begun to wear away, "Bride Judy" and I find ourselves spinning rememberings stories all day long: "Do remember the time that ....!"

One of the funnier, and I suspose goofier, stories I well remember about Don's muscianship and quirky humor happened at a marvelous hoot at the north Seattle home of Elmar Lanczos.

Elmar couldn't sing a sing on pitch if he had to, but boy did he love the music and did he know the material. His house had quickly become the most popular "hoot House" around. Most every weekend, a gathering would happen at Elmar's. And these hoots were what made us ...

For several Saturday nights in a row, there was this very attractive young lady who would show up at the hoot, quietly come in, and sit on the floor in a corner. Elmar's home was very close to the University of Washington, so there was always an abundance of attractive young people.

Don, being the classical guitarist he was, would often perform a beautiful version of "Greensleeves", complete with all the verses and guitar breaks.

Usually when this attractive young lady would arrive, she would request that he do "Greensleeves" .... night after night ... week after week ... nothing but "Greensleeves." Don would dutifully oblige. Finally he got sick and tired of doing the same old song, so he carefully prepared a new version" of Greensleeves", just for her. Don had warned me ahead of time just what to expect ... and here it came:

When she next showed up at the hoot, and again requested "Greensleeves", he launched into the loudest, most rocous "talking blues guitar lick" possible, and started chanting the lyrics like this:

"ALAS MY LOVE, YOU DO ME WRONG,
TO TREAT ME SO DISCOURTESLY,
WHEN I HAVE LOVE-E-E-E-D YOU SO LONG
DELIGHTING IN YOUR COMPANY!

GREENSLEEVES ... WAS ALL MY JOY ... GREENSLEEVES, WAS MY DELIGHT!"

For some reason, we never saw her again!   bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,Alice Lanczos
Date: 10 Sep 15 - 01:57 AM

I recently stayed with Don (babysitting he called it) to allow Barbara time for necessary errands. He provided a heartwarming memory. We were saying our goodbyes upon Barbara's return. Don's last words to me were "thank you." Gracious as always.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Deckman
Date: 10 Sep 15 - 08:27 AM

And "kittos" to you Alice, for all you did. bob

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: irishenglish
Date: 10 Sep 15 - 09:58 AM

Very sorry to hear this. I don't really comment much here these days but when I did Don was always one of my favorites on here. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,Wife Barbara
Date: 14 Sep 15 - 09:33 PM

Thanks for all your kind words. I wept through them all. Don
frequently shared the fun and meaty stuff from Mudcat with me. I, too, feel that I know some of you.

The book has been finished for a long time and in our opinions ready to publish, but like some painters, he couldn't leave it alone. He didn't want to say anything that might put a poor light on another person, obnoxious though they may be. We just need to cross check to be sure to have the latest edits. I think we will publish under the working title "It Was Pleasant and Delightful" which really seems to sum it all up.

I too write and will try to post a couple of chapters of our life somewhere. Not sure where to do that.

Would love to meet you all.
Barbara Palecek Firth

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Sep 15 - 09:48 PM

Thank you for posting, Barbara. And if we can help you in any way in following up on any of Don's Mudcat posts, let us know. He posted a fair amount of the book here when the topics were timely.

I thought Don was fabulous. I grew up hearing him sing at hoots and family gatherings he attended. That voice - I have no doubt that in just hearing him sing you fell in love with him, and the rest was gravy. ;-)

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 14 Sep 15 - 09:56 PM

Lovely post, Barbara. Thank you!

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Firth (1931-2015)
From: GUEST,Wife Barbara
Date: 14 Sep 15 - 10:38 PM

Actually I fell in love with him before I heard him sing. His aunt who introduced us just told me that he played the guitar and sang a little. He was arresting at first sight.