cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
19269
How do you say Goodbye to a watch buddy?
It seems like TimeOut is the appropriate forum for this question, and these reflections.
In the past few years I posted various Navy SEAL Rolex and Tudor watches that have come through my hands for maintenance - this all started with a neighbor who loved watches, cars and boats. Now I'm very sad to report that my neighbor, good friend and Rolex owner, Gary died suddenly of natural causes.
Born near Seattle, he was always on or in the water. At the age of 10 he was an observer for Seattle SeaFair races.
He belonged to SEAL Team One, the first West Coast team formed after the Underwater Demolition Teams ("Frogmen"). Some of you have read about this history on earlier posts I've made here.
Here's a photo of him in the Navy, standing on a curb to look taller, back in the early 1960's and then on into Vietnam.
Did I mention he wore a Rolex? Collectors love this kind of provenance (don't we?).
Gary even went so far as to talk his way onto the big screen in the lousiest monster movie ever, Tentacles , alongside Henry Fonda, John Huston, Shelley Winters, Bo Hopkins, Claude Akins, etc.
In the past 20 years, since he retired from being a graphic designer and silk screen shop owner, Gary focused on restoring and enjoying old wooden boats.
Here's Jason, the boat his nephew and I cruised for 1500 miles up to Seattle last summer.
Gary loved rattan furniture, mid-century furnishings, and as industrial designer, had a good eye for style. He could make almost anything out of wood. When he needed metal working or electronics, he could always put some pressure on me or his other friends.
In addition, he loved watches, clocks and other instruments -- even occasionally finding a way to combine his interests all into one. I was surprised to learn that he had 3 of these rare rattan clocks... all running.
A daily reader of Craig's List, eBay, and YachtWorld, Gary sought bargain deals on good quality items. However, when it came to watches, he liked replica canteen watches as his daily beaters, along with the odd sanitized Seiko (formerly mine) and a Russian watch.
He was always asking me to wear a Rolex when I came over, though he seldom wore his, especially while working. I had once scolded him when he brought it to me for cleaning from its covering of varnish, paint and sawdust.
Once he was asked by his employer to build an eye-catching display for the Paris Air Show. First he designed a flashy 2CV woodie, immortalized here in Neon,
which was then converted into a series of stunning Flying 2CVs which captured the hearts of the French customers at the show.
Unable to purchase the car when its show days were ended,
Gary tracked me down in San Diego instead, and badgered me for several years, until I sold him my first Citroen 2CV, the gray one shown here.
He spiffed it all up with new paint, installed self-made wood trim panels and converted it into a "Tree CV"
Here is his 1959 Stephens Sedan Cruiser, which he restored almost single-handedly in the past 2 years.
We can't believe he's suddenly no longer on the boat.
Gary loved to entertain on his boat, and frequently the menu included barbecued oysters followed by grilled salmon. With watches and wine.
Although he never posted, Gary loved to read about his watch (and those of his SEAL buddies) when I reported on PuristS. He liked our PuristS "outrageous" meal reviews too!
Here we are, just a couple weeks ago, on shore at my house, enjoying some Alaskan salmon together with a great Pinot Noir
He was eager to get my reaction to his latest eBay find:
Even though his Rolex is still running, Gary's time has run out.
Along with lots of his friends, who are all stunned,
we say Goodbye Gary
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2015-12-10 16:55:34
How do you say Goodbye to a watch buddy?
It seems like TimeOut is the appropriate forum for this question, and these reflections. In the past few years I posted various Navy SEAL Rolex and Tudor watches that have come through my hands for maintenance - this all started with a neighbor who loved ...
A face to recall
Mike, When you told me of the sudden passing of your buddy, I did not know which of the SEALs it was from your posts before. Condolences to family and friends. Since your SEAL reports, we feel that we are acquaintances, if not friends.... Salute, MTF
It's not easy to take this at first,
but I believe that the profound friendship and memories between you has been, is, and will still be one of the sweetest part in your life.
RIP and my Condolences
A Very Nice Tribute Mike to your Friend who lived a Good and Rich Life. S
Heartfelt condolences to his family and friends
And you have described what made him great in a way only a really, really close friend could. And while the loss will be hard to bear, the good memories will remain!
Heartfelt condolences Mike...
...looks like you've lost a real companion to many wonderful passions. But from all these great photos, it is obvious he will live on in memory and tribute. Thanks for sharing this.
Moving post dear Mike
Having a good time with good friend is what counts in the end Looks like you had fair share of them Loosing a friend is never easy Yours D
What an obituary to a missed friend!
Kudos to your moving and well illustrated biography of your deceased friend, cazalea! Kind regrads anaesdoc P.S. I like your pun concerning the chosen forum
Thank you for all your kind comments
They have been very helpful as we assist in navigating through all the complications of death in the modern world - besides the lawyers and banks, pensions and bureaucrats, there are now eBay deals, PayPal accounts and email passwords to resolve -- along ...
Sorry to hear about this
May Gary rest in peace. I believe he is in a better place now. For the rest of us, let\'s cherish our loved ones and friends because we know we will all have to leave someday. Many of us have become online friends here on PuristSPro and I hope we will con...
It's the suddenness that affects us, Mike. I've experienced . . .
. . . the same twice this year, the first time with a friend my age who I knew to be in poor health, but the second was a vibrant young woman a few weeks from her 36th birthday - her passing was totally unexpected. Only later did we learn she had a heart ...