It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing of our friend and OO Live Steam Club Chairman Maurice.
As you were aware Maurice was in America getting ready for a lung transplant. Last Saturday, following a biopsy he took a sudden turn for the worse and was in intensive care for a few days.
Maurice being Maurice he initially appeared to be recovering but sadly his heart gave out.
He will be cremated in America and a wake arranged once the family return. I will post further details as and when I receive them.
Maurice has been a great asset to the club and his presence will be sorely missed.
Chris Oakes
OO Live Steam Club Secretary
Ampara has contacted me with the following update on Maurice's farewell party
Hello!
An update:
Due to the train strike, we have had to move Maurice's Farewell Party, to the following day. It will now take place on Sunday, October 9 at 1:00pm at The Royal Automobile Club.
Please could you RSVP as soon as possible, as we need to confirm numbers. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Click this link to view the invite
VIEW CARD
A bit overwhelming. I don't envy you Chris.
Maybe we should arrange an extra day around the AGM and all muck in to test and classify just what we have here.
A few more photos
Managed to start sorting out the OOLS items. As you can see it will take a little while to work through and catalogue everything . . .
Maurice’s family have let me know that they will be holding a farewell party for Maurice in October.
Date: 8th October 2022
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Location: The Royal Automobile Club, 89 Pall Mall, St. James's, London SW1Y 5HS
Getting there:
Dress Code:
Please can you indicate if you plan to attend so that I can pass on numbers to Ampara.
Maurice was a bit special so if the trains are running I plan to be there.
I have just discovered that notice of this thread (and several others from Chris) have been going into my spambox. That's the reason i didn't reply here (and maybe other threads - still checking spambox)
I appreciate the support re the costs of my trip to London to collect Maurice's items. Ampara very kindly insisted on paying for my hotel for the night so the costs are for fuel and ULEZ charges only.
On both days traffic issues meant using the M6 & M40, 216 miles in each direction - total 432 miles. the refill cost was £90.22
ULEZ was two days at !2.50, total £25
The total cost was £115.22
Hello all sorry I’ve been quiet i know I’m not good at forum stuff but Nick in person informed me of this and I needed to disconnet for a while as I’ve been more upset then id imagine i would have been …..
I do agree that chis should claim expenses for this
Maurice will always be missed and has been a great pleasure to have know for me and my family
Well I made it back but I think I might need a bigger house 😕
Since Chris's trip to London is on club business and will be a substantial benefit to the club I suggest that Chris should claim for hotel and fuel expenses.
Ampara and her daughters have let me know how much Maurice enjoyed being a member of the club and that should anything happen to him he wanted his railway collection to be donated to the club and put to good use in helping the club prosper.
Although I had thought to arrange collection at the same time as the wake Joanna informed me that every time Ampara walks into the railway room memories of Maurice beavering away in there upset her so they would like to clear the room as soon as possible..
Like Maurice, once a decision had been made the family do not hang around and have asked me to arrange to pick up the collection as soon as possible so I have arranged to travel down to London next Tuesday, stay in a hotel overnight and collect all the items.
Once they are back in Glossop I will catalogue all the items so we can then have a discussion about how best to use everything for the benefit of the club.
Maurice’s wife Ampara has been in touch to let me know they are back in the UK and that although they do plan to hold a wake for Maurice as there is much to sort out it will be a little later in the year, around September/October time.
-Sad news indeed. Such a disappointing outcome after so much suffering and effort spent on searching for a cure. Our thoughts go out to the family. Maurice was a huge asset to the Club, pursuing his many tasks as chairman with enthusiasm and vigor. He leaves a large hole to fill and a hard act to follow.
Thanks Chris. Really sad news. Our thoughts are with all the family.
RiP Maurice
Thanks for the update Chris, I will
miss him for his great sense of humour and wonderful enthusiasm. RIP dear friend Maurice.
Great sadness. I shall miss our chats about everything.