Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005

Subject: Obit: John in Brisbane
From: gecko
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 11:54 PM

It is with the deepest regret that I bring you the dreadful news of John Leahy's accidental death last Saturday.

I spent a happy afternoon with him only ten days ago, here in Cairns, on his way back home to Brisbane after the Yungaburra Folk Festival.

He is survived by his wife Anne and his two sons, Alex and Sam. My heartfelt commiserations go to his family and the many, many true friends on Mudcat and in the wider Folk community.

Please PM me if you need his Brisbane address for contact. The funeral is planned for this Friday.

YIU

gecko

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane
From: Peace
Date: 22 Nov 05 - 11:57 PM

I'll write more when I can see the screen.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane
From: LilyFestre
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 12:06 AM

:( My condolences. :(

Michelle

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane
From: GUEST,Tony in Darwin
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 12:10 AM

Shocking news. John was well on his way to becoming a 'regular' at our Top Half festivals in the Northern Territory. Last year at Mary River Park he did a great rendition of Minnie the Moocher at one of the late-night sessions, and this year at Glen Helen Gorge he generously went to the trouble of bringing his double bass along on the flight from Brisbane and joining us in our presentation.

A great friend and muso who will be sadly missed.

Tony

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane
From: open mike
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 12:40 AM

Sorry to hear this news.
My best to his survivors.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane
From: Stewie
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 12:44 AM

Sad news indeed. Though I had previously had some interchange with John via Mudcat, I got to know him at the last two Top Half festivals - a talentedk, warm and interesting bloke. My condolences to his family.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane
From: Joybell
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 12:49 AM

We became friends at the National a few years back. So sad and shocked by this news. Thank you gecko. Our heartfelt sympathy to his family and to his other friends. Joy and Hildebrand.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane
From: rich-joy
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 01:07 AM

Vale, John.

Paul and I also treasure the memories of your singing at last year's Top Half - and both Woodford AND Mudcat will truly miss you.

Rich-Joy.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane
From: alison
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 01:51 AM

what a shame

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 02:07 AM

I was just thinking of John the other day. I've enjoyed corresponding with him over the years, working with him on a number of "behind the scenes" projects - like his collecting and posting hundreds of tunes and his Scots Glossary. I kept threatening to visit him in Brisbane, and he kept telling me about the snakes that live under and around his house - knowing full well how much I hate snakes. His eyesight was failing, but he didn't seem to let that slow him down.

I really enjoyed having John as a long-distance friend, and I'll miss him. My best wishes and sympathy to his family. His death is a sad shock to me. Goodbye, John.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: GUEST,Pavane at work
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 03:12 AM

VERY sad to hear that. He was a keen user of my program HARMONY (appreciated its large font facility) and offered many suggestions for improvements.
Neil

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 08:43 AM

Someone came on the chat in one of its few lucid moments last night and told us this sad news.
Very sorry indeed to hear of the passing of another one of our number.
Condolences to his family.
Giok

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 09:22 AM

I'm sorry to hear this. We collaborated (via the internet) on the conversion of the DT to abc. He was enthusiastic in contacting the developers of abc software to verify what features outside of the old standard would be widely supported (and to suggest some that might be). When I last exchanged emails with him (some time ago now) he was working his way through the files, tidying up my automatic conversion and preparing a good copy, and was hoping to devote more time to it.

Condolences to his family.

Mick

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 09:27 AM

Oh no! Our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. A sad loss for us all.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 09:34 AM

And we get the wind knocked out of us again.....so sorry to hear this. He was a treasure.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 09:49 AM

This is so wrong.
Rest in peace, John.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 10:09 AM

Thank you, gecko, for letting us know. I can't believe we'll no longer see his moniker on new psotings. I've always looked forward to his take on things, both musical and otherwise and will really miss him. This is happening too much to our best beloved members!

Our condolences and wishes for peace and comforting memories to his wife and children and friends,

Kat & Rog

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Peace
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 10:23 AM

What impressed me so much about John was his equanimity, love of music and persistence that the details of songs be 'just so'. John made 2322 posts to the Mudcat.

I was wondering if it would be possible to somehow get together, split up his posts, print them off and send them to his family. I never met John but was fortunate enough to help him dig after lyrics for a few songs. I am aware that the 'cat has his posts, but maybe collating them, getting them into a binder and then to his family would be a nice keepsake for Anne, Alex and Sam to have.

John, I didn't know you all that well, but I loved the part of you you showed in this place. Keep well brother.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 12:21 PM

I'm very sorry to read this. I liked John a lot.

Condolonces to all.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 02:09 PM

Sad news. Best wishes to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: MMario
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 03:12 PM

My first thought on reading the title of this thread was "what a sick joke" - shocked doesn't describe my feelings - John will be sadly missed - My condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Morticia
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 03:14 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this, hugs to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Helen
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 03:19 PM

I was very shocked to see the this thread. I never had the chance to meet John in person, but I have always enjoyed his posts here, and although we didn't have many individual exchanges I always knew that his posts would be worth reading. One of the Mudcat treasures!

My sincere condolences to his family.

Helen,
Newcastle, NSW

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Wolfgang
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 03:59 PM

What a sad loss. He seemed so helpful and knowledgeable in all his posts. Goodbye John.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 05:30 PM

Damn!

Last week I was sweating over a tune he wanted to play on his harp ... I guess he's in line for new one - and a different repertoire.

I missed seeing this thread ... the last couple of days I've been immersed in getting this issue of Mulga Wire off to press. Now that's put to bed, I was thinking of checking with John to be sure my tune worked .. and now ...

I only met John once, but always found his contributions thoughtful, stimulating and useful. I add my commiserations to Anne, Alex and Sam.

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 06:19 PM

I was sorry to read this. I never met John (like many others here) but his contributions to the Cat were many.

My condolences to his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 06:24 PM

I've been thinking about John all day - him and his gentle sense of humor. What a nice man he was.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: rich-joy
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 06:39 PM

Gecko has just emailed that John's funeral is Friday, 25th Nov. and that he died as a result of a swimming pool accident.

I don't really wish to post his residential address on a public forum, but if anyone wants to send a card etc to Anne, Alex and Sam, please PM either Gecko or myself or another Aussie 'Catter for the address.




... I was just thinking about how often "we wait" until someone's no longer around, before we realise that we would like to have known them better ...

Rich-Joy

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 06:48 PM

So sad! He was definitely a Mudcat asset, and will be sadly missed even by those, like me, who never met him in person.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From:
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 07:11 PM

Bob just emailed me about John's death.

Like Bob I only met him once when he came to the National a few years back, and will also miss his posts.

commiserations to his family & the friends who knew him well

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: JudyB
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 11:04 PM

We didn't get to Brisbane when we were in Australia - it's a big place! - but we had it on our "maybe next time" list. Funny how life gets in the way of lists like that. We're glad we did get to know him a bit through his posts here, and - like others - wish we'd found the time to do more. Our sympathy to his family and friends.

JudyB & Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 11:23 PM

oh no!.....It was just last August that I had an exchange with John about a spell check program he wanted to find now that he was recovering from eye problems. He seemed so pleased to be 'better' and back at Mudcat after an absence.

Well, he was a good, friendly and valuble guy to have with us these years, and he will be missed a lot. His musical help will be with us for a long time.

bye, John

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 11:27 PM

So sad, indeed. Here are his posts.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: nager
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 11:34 PM

Very sad to hear this.
I sent John some music and lyrics to his home a few years back and he was most appreciative and we emailed a few times.
Always enjoyed his posts here.

Paul

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 12:15 AM

I will miss our occasional correspondence over the net.

Robin

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: karen k
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 12:21 AM

My condolences to John's family. Rest in peace, John.

karen

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: freda underhill
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 01:08 AM

I'm very sad to hear John has gone. He is a dedicated folkie who was responsible for getting hundreds of Australian folk songs on to the Digital Tradition. He loved Australian folk music, and helped keep it alive. I met him at out national Folk Festival a couple of years ago, he was a very down to earth man with a great sense of humour. I hope I always remember the session upstairs at the National a couple of years ago, when a friend he brought a long did a great version of the Monster Mash, with John rocking along beside.

It is tragic to lose such a warm, talented man to an accident.

all my best wishes to his family

freda

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: JennieG
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 04:08 AM

Oh no....what a loss, he was such a nice feller. I met John a couple of times in Canberra at the NFF, in fact I was at the Monster Mash rendition too. My condolences to his family.

Not so cheerily
JennieG

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Hrothgar
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 04:24 AM

Requiem Mass 1.00 pm Friday 25th at St Joseph's at Corinda.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 05:33 AM

I can't say that I knew John, but a mutual interest in the blues meant that we shared a couple of threads here and I know that this place will be a little emptier without his musical warmth, generosity and enthusiasm. My condolences to his family and friends.

Brian

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Joybell
Date: 24 Nov 05 - 04:53 PM

We met John, outside of Mudcat, when he came to listen to Hildebrand's bracket at the National. He asked me if Hildebrand would sing "San Antonio Rose" for him. John said it was one of his favourite songs.
"...Broken song, empty words I know...."

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Partridge
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 04:01 AM

So sorry to hear about this, my thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. I never met John, but enjoyed his posts like a lot of otheres here on mudcat.

love

Pat x

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: JennyO
Date: 25 Nov 05 - 08:23 AM

Yes, I remember meeting him at the National and that session with The Monster Mash. He seemed like a very nice bloke. What a shame!

My thoughts are with his family.

Jenny

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: GUEST,shez
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 12:09 AM

I have been away in NZ and have just returned to the news of John's death - very sorry to have missed his funeral.
John was a very big support of the Singing Shed at Woodford Folk Festival; involved from it's conception, both running sessions and contributing on to many others; his death has brought me much sadness, and my heart goes out to Anne and his sons in their loss - we will miss him

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Helen
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 03:00 PM

I went to the Mudcat photos page to see what John looked like but there is no photo of him. If anyone has a photo it would be nice to put it on the Mudcat Memorial page in the photos section.

Helen

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: M.Ted
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 06:23 PM

I have often thought that I learned more from the mudcat threads that I didn't participate in--and over the years, I have learned a lot from his posts--his genuine love for, and curiosity about, music of all kinds has been an important part of that which has made mudcat so interesting for these many years. As he did to many others, he invited me to visit, and I figured one day, when I finally made it down there, I'd stop in and see him. Well, my sincere condolences to his family and friends, I'll miss him a lot---

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 11:43 PM

Very sorry to hear the news.

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: rich-joy
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 12:24 AM

There could well be something from a Top Half Folk Festival, in the NT - I'll enquire.


Cheers, R-J

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: GUEST,Tom Galvin
Date: 12 Dec 05 - 02:57 PM

Dan - You seem to know a lot about Waterbury and the Brass Mills. Can you point me to places, either on the web or libraries, that have first-person accounts of life in the mills in the early 20th century. I know that the Scovill records are at Harvard but curious if any diaries from workers exists. Any help is appreciated.

Regards,

Tom

Subject: RE: Obit: John in Brisbane 19 November 2005
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 11 Nov 06 - 08:32 PM

refresh