Dead Boardsie

MortGoldman

Hi guys. I had a 55 year old Geordie Git that's been running rough for the last two years or so. There was a lot of maintenance carried out at a number of different garages, all of whom tried doing roughly the same thing, but it turns out the problem wasn't figured out until too late. Unfortunately, on Monday evening at 6pm, the timing belt snapped and the Geordie died.

Some of the older posters on this forum may remember GeorgeFalls. Him & me would have attended quite a few Boards meets back in the day (my username at the time was ottostreet). George had a white Mitsubishi FTO with blue dragons on it, a silver Alfa 166, a red Alfa GTV Spyder, and a wine coloured Alfa GT, all of which were in considerably better condition than he was. I'm not sure which one would have been his car at the time he attended most of the meets, but I believe it was the GTV.

As his health declined, George has become far less active online and in the various forums he loved, but his passion for cars remained right to the end. In May, he bought himself a black Alfa Brera - a car he has lusted after for years. Any of you who knew him know that George prided himself in his somehow unmatchable abilities to detail a car - the Brera is virtually untouched since he bought it. When I was at his house yesterday, I found various parts and toys he had bought for the car, unopened, in the passenger seat - he never had the energy to do anything with them.

We're taking George to the scrapyard on Monday afternoon. 3PM. Mount Jerome Crematorium. The Italian Car Club guys, and I believe the AlfaOwners Club, are planning a guard of honour for him as his hearse arrives. I'm driving George's GT to the ceremony, and aiming to have my FTO there too. If anyone who knew him wants to come along, you're more than welcome - I think his wife Maria would be very pleased to see the impact that George made on the people he met. Bring your most interesting car if you can. George was anything but mundane. There's also a more casual get together of family and friends in his local, the Ardattin Inn in Co. Carlow, if you'd prefer. That's on from around 6pm.

George played a huge role in my love of cars, always encouraging me to go off any buy some stupid, impractical, thirsty, unusual car when I'd send him Donedeal links. And then wanting to make them shine before we'd show them off at shows or meets. And knowing I'll never do that with him again breaks my heart. I'm going to feel very sad when I see the tow truck bringing him in to the crusher on Monday.

Anyway! Time to go looking for a younger model...

Alfa 166
Taking pride in his parking..
It wasn't eye catching enough to begin with...

MetzgerMeister

RIP George, a true gent and a joy to chat to the few times I met him at Midway.

Alanstrainor

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

RIP George, a true gent and a joy to chat to the few times I met him at Midway.

An absolute legend. I met him a good few times at the midway meets, I believe with two of his Alfa's, the Spyder and the GT. I believe when we chatted he was trying to get me to buy an Alfa GTV 3.2 V6!

coolisin

Its going back awhile, but I remember the wine alfa at one of the Midway Meets, no doubt we chatted!
Sorry to hear dude.

Foxhole Norman

Was very saddened to hear this yesterday, met him at the Midway meet last year with his GT and he was some craic, he'll be missed by many I'm sure

GustavoFring

A very nice guy at boards meets back in the day or in the Carlow smaller ones. His cars were always very impressively turned out.

Great for the photos too.

RIP George.

tossy

RIP, a loss to the community.

TrailerBob

Very sad to hear the news. I hadn't put 2 and 2 together with Boards at all...(I live in the same area) Although I didn't know him much, some neighbours did. RIP George

Supergurrier

A thoroughly nice chap to talk to the few times i met him at the midway meets. Very sad to hear of such a young man dying far too early.

RIP George

Tazio

Just spotted this thread tonight.. Georges passing was terrible news last week..

Some of us from his ICCI.ie club were lucky enough to accompany him on his final drive from home to Dublin. We followed him on one last 'run' and stopped off en route for a chat to recount memories of the man. It was a memorable and dignified send off for a wonderful character. He loved cars and photography...

He'll be very much missed by all his friends and family .. but not forgotten.

Until the next time we meet George.. take care old friend..

Citroen2cv

RIP George.
I remember chatting to him briefly at some of the alfaowner meets a few years back.
A proper petrolhead and gentleman.

Marlow

RIP George alright .. i haven't been around here much, but I heard it elsewhere. Sad and far too early.

/M