Firebottle
06-10-2025, 14:51
It is with a heavy heart that I pass on the news of Gary’s death.
He had health issue for quite some time, I recall a long and particularly frustrating period for Gary when his blood count would fluctuate wildly, seemingly with a complete disregard for any medication that was being taken.
To his credit when in discussion with his consultant he would forcefully reject (F… that) suggested treatment(s) as he knew his own body a whole lot better than any professional. I admired his stance when confronting the medical profession, in fact his irreverence for authority in general.
In more recent times Gary was fitted with a pacemaker but with a built in defibrillator to keep things ‘going’. One time he told me he was doing some sort of physical work and his heart rate climbed rapidly causing the defibrillator to activate. I can’t remember his exact words but it was something along the lines of ‘being kicked in the chest by a horse’, but he laughed about it afterwards.
I first met Gary through hifi but we quickly became good friends through our shared sense of humour, particularly about the whacky and ridiculous.
Shirley and I met Gary and Caroline on numerous occasions for pub lunches and a good time was had by all.
Gary was also very passionate about cars and once gave me a thrilling ride in his Caterham, both of us with skid lids on. It was glued to the road, quite an experience.
I shall miss him.
He had health issue for quite some time, I recall a long and particularly frustrating period for Gary when his blood count would fluctuate wildly, seemingly with a complete disregard for any medication that was being taken.
To his credit when in discussion with his consultant he would forcefully reject (F… that) suggested treatment(s) as he knew his own body a whole lot better than any professional. I admired his stance when confronting the medical profession, in fact his irreverence for authority in general.
In more recent times Gary was fitted with a pacemaker but with a built in defibrillator to keep things ‘going’. One time he told me he was doing some sort of physical work and his heart rate climbed rapidly causing the defibrillator to activate. I can’t remember his exact words but it was something along the lines of ‘being kicked in the chest by a horse’, but he laughed about it afterwards.
I first met Gary through hifi but we quickly became good friends through our shared sense of humour, particularly about the whacky and ridiculous.
Shirley and I met Gary and Caroline on numerous occasions for pub lunches and a good time was had by all.
Gary was also very passionate about cars and once gave me a thrilling ride in his Caterham, both of us with skid lids on. It was glued to the road, quite an experience.
I shall miss him.