Subj : Re: RIP C.G. Learn - Sysop of Valhalla BBS in Richmond, VA
To : Mike Powell
From : Ward Dossche
Date : Thu Nov 24 2022 01:48 am
Mike,
MP> I was not aware that Joe had passed. Sorry to hear that.
September 2017 ... he suffered from cancer and it spread real fast. This is my obituary about him which appeared in Fidonews. I think others wrote articles as well...
*****************************************************************************
*Joe Delahaye left us
Joe Delaye left us
Ward Dossche - 2:292/854
It was a fun day years ago when Joe Delahaye showed-up in
The Netherlands. We had been planning to welcome the prodigal son
amongst our midst for years. "Prodigal son", because he was a native
from the lowlands on the coast of the Northsea and a couple of times
he accompanied his aging mother on visits back to the old country
and relatives that stayed there.
As a young boy he emigrated with his parents to Canada, built up a
life there and had a job as an airplane mechanic in the Canadian air
force ... he could talk for hours and hours about maintenance on
Boeing 707's. He met his future wife when serving in, at that time,
occupied Germany and she followed him to Canada when he went back.
We knew all about Joe, but never met him. So when he came over on 2
occasions we were able to twist his arm and eek-out a few hours for
his friends in Fidonet.
He drove down with Kees Van Eeten from Den Helder in the Netherlands
to a small quiet town in the Province of Noord-Holland where we
converged on the house of Michiel vander Vlist in Driebergen.
The first time in 2010, or 2011, (I think), it also featured Bob
Bashe who drove over from Germany for the occasion and Jan Vermeulen
who had to abandon Fidonet for medical reasons. Except Michiel,
myself and Kees it also featured Wilfred Van Velzen ... maybe others
too but at my age it's a perk to forget.
And in 2014 we met Joe again with just Michiel, Kees, Wilfred and
myself at which time we had a hard disc throwing competition. Video
exists of this event, this is the URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz3XhaZvWu0
Joe was someone you wanted to be with, a true friend, softspoken,
never controversial, always trying to do the correct thing, never
abusive, it seems without an agenda. An oxymoron for the Fidonet that
some people think it is
His passing creates an empty spot that we will not be able to fill
again. It's a sad event but we also need to be thankful for the many
years we could enjoy his company, his friendship and walk the same
path that he did.
The world stopped for a moment on September 24th 2017 and will not be
the same again.
Joe will be missed by all who had the good fortune to spend some time
with him.
Ward Dossche
Z2C
--- DB4 - 20220519
* Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)
