Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
up on Friday morning and was taken into hospital, where his
condition worsened and the decision was made to switch off
life support systems. It's not thought he would have been
aware of his situation.

Andy leaves behind his wife and children and his parents.
I'm sure many of us here will also feel his loss deeply, as
do his colleagues at Packet Design where he was the Technical
Director covering Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

I spoke with his wife today, and she tells me that she too
is into DIY, although probably not quite to the same extent
as Andy.

Andy was a supporter of the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre,
and his family are directing any donations to the Jim Cronin
Memorial Fund which supports it.
http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk/topic.p...plate=standard

http://www.packetdesign.com/company/...lmemorium.html

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
[snip]

That is very sad to hear, Andy was one of the most prolific and useful
posters to uk.d-i-y, he will be missed.

--
Chris Green

(Andrew Gabriel) wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
up on Friday morning and was taken into hospital, where his
condition worsened and the decision was made to switch off
life support systems. It's not thought he would have been
aware of his situation.

Andy leaves behind his wife and children and his parents.
I'm sure many of us here will also feel his loss deeply, as
do his colleagues at Packet Design where he was the Technical
Director covering Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

I spoke with his wife today, and she tells me that she too
is into DIY, although probably not quite to the same extent
as Andy.

Andy was a supporter of the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre,
and his family are directing any donations to the Jim Cronin
Memorial Fund which supports it.
http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk/topic.p...plate=standard

http://www.packetdesign.com/company/...lmemorium.html


That is very, very sad news. My sympathy to his family.

On 11 Sep 2008 09:39:41 GMT, (Andrew
Gabriel) wrote:

Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
up on Friday morning and was taken into hospital, where his
condition worsened and the decision was made to switch off
life support systems. It's not thought he would have been
aware of his situation.


A terrible shock.

His contributions here will be greatly missed.

Poor Andy.

Derek Geldard

Andrew, thank you for letting us know.

Agree or disagree - and I did both - he will be missed. Most especially,
by me, on many of the off-topic rambles and meanders.

It would be nice to think that his family could come by here sometime
and read this.

--
Rod

Andrew Gabriel coughed up some electrons that declared:

Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
up on Friday morning and was taken into hospital, where his
condition worsened and the decision was made to switch off
life support systems. It's not thought he would have been
aware of his situation.

Andy leaves behind his wife and children and his parents.
I'm sure many of us here will also feel his loss deeply, as
do his colleagues at Packet Design where he was the Technical
Director covering Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

I spoke with his wife today, and she tells me that she too
is into DIY, although probably not quite to the same extent
as Andy.

Andy was a supporter of the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre,
and his family are directing any donations to the Jim Cronin
Memorial Fund which supports it.
http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk/topic.p...plate=standard

http://www.packetdesign.com/company/...lmemorium.html


This is a shock. My condolences to his family - I will always be grateful
for Andy's contributions to this group. He has given me a number of ideas
over the last few years, which are now proving to be invaluable for the
current job in hand.

Best wishes,
Tim

That's terrible. I'll miss lots about Andy...the ideas, the
perfectionism (to aspire to, at the very least), and of course taking
the rise out of him too!

A sad loss.
--
The information contained in this post is copyright the
poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by
http://www.diybanter.com

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

This is very sad indeed. Andy was truly one of a kind, who touched
everyone he met, with his fantastic sense of humour and in-depth
knowledge of almost all subjects. Both myself and Mrs G will miss him
greatly, and feel priviliged to have known him.


--
Grunff

On 11 Sep 2008 09:39:41 GMT Andrew Gabriel wrote :
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke

That is a real real shock: I've met Andy at several meets and the
Sandown woodworking show. We may not have agreed about everything but
his contributions to this group will be sadly missed

--
Tony Bryer SDA UK 'Software to build on' http://www.sda.co.uk

Grunff wrote:
Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

This is very sad indeed. Andy was truly one of a kind, who touched
everyone he met, with his fantastic sense of humour and in-depth
knowledge of almost all subjects. Both myself and Mrs G will miss him
greatly, and feel priviliged to have known him.

Over 22,000 posts to uk.d-i-y, over 27,000 to usenet overall. Possibly more
under a different ID in the past. That's quite some record.

Tim

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Andrew Gabriel wrote:

Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

That is very sad news indeed. Andy always demonstrated a very professional
approach to all subjects on which he posted, and I had a great deal of
respect for him - although I never met him in the flesh.

I was aware from his posts that he had various health problems - but his
sudden demise is still a great shock.

This NG will be poorer without him.

RIP Andy.
--
Cheers,
Roger
______
Email address maintained for newsgroup use only, and not regularly
monitored.. Messages sent to it may not be read for several weeks.
PLEASE REPLY TO NEWSGROUP!

In article ,
Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

[snip]

How very sad. One of nature's gentlemen - that opinion reinforced on the
couple of occasions I met him in person.

His posts will be much missed for the levelness they brought into many a
discussion - as will his excellent advice on those things he was expert
in, which were many.

--
*Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
up on Friday morning and was taken into hospital, where his
condition worsened and the decision was made to switch off
life support systems. It's not thought he would have been
aware of his situation.

Andy leaves behind his wife and children and his parents.
I'm sure many of us here will also feel his loss deeply, as
do his colleagues at Packet Design where he was the Technical
Director covering Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.


Thank you for letting us know. I had wondered where he was, and was
considering posting to ask if he was okay.
His contributions here will be missed.

Sheila Viemeister

On 11 Sep 2008 09:39:41 GMT, (Andrew
Gabriel) wrote:


I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

We never met but I'll miss him. The debate about Agas will never be
quite the same again. He was always ready to argue his case
eloquently yet at the same time gave freely of his time to help
others particularly newcomers here.

"S Viemeister" wrote in message
...
Andrew Gabriel wrote:

....


Thank you for letting us know. I had wondered where he was, and was
considering posting to ask if he was okay.
His contributions here will be missed.

Yes, I'm very sorry and it would be good if his family could be sent our
condolences.

Mary

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
.. .
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
up on Friday morning and was taken into hospital, where his
condition worsened and the decision was made to switch off
life support systems. It's not thought he would have been
aware of his situation.

snip...........

I was genuinely shocked and saddened to hear this news despite never having
met Andy.
No disrespect to any other members here (as many have been of such
invaluable assistance), but it was always reassuring to have a contribution
from Andy in the thread of a post - his input was always right on the money.
UK.D-I-Y has certainly lost one of its key contributors.

As others have said, I sincerely hope that his close friends and family are
shown this thread so that they understand the repect that others had for
Andy. My condolences to his family.

Phil

On 11 Sep 2008 09:39:41 GMT, (Andrew
Gabriel) wrote:

Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

Really sad news, Andrew. He'll be sorely missed on here.

--
Frank Erskine

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

Sad news. This newsgroup will be overrun by complaints on cheap chinese
ALDI/LIDL tools, and Mr Hall won't get the chance to say "I told you so..."

He'll miss that, and we'll miss him for it....

--
Adrian C

That's very sad news. Thanks Andrew, for taking the trouble to find out.

I too hope that you might pass on to his family our appreciation of Andy's
high-quality contribution to this newsgroup over many years.

Regards
Jon N

On 11 Sep 2008 09:39:41 GMT, (Andrew
Gabriel) wrote:

I liked this man. He was always helpful and had time for new people
with daft questions.

He helped me a lot with my projects, particularly my new CH and was a
great help to me.

I will miss reading him.

R.I.P.

In message , Andrew Gabriel
writes

I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

I'm saddened. Truly. Andy had his own opinions, and was not backward
in coming forward, but I mean that as a compliment. I enjoyed
occasional debates with him, and truly appreciated his advice.

Does anyone know how old Andy was? I'm guessing late forties.
--
Graeme

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
.. .
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
up on Friday morning and was taken into hospital, where his
condition worsened and the decision was made to switch off
life support systems. It's not thought he would have been
aware of his situation.

Andy leaves behind his wife and children and his parents.
I'm sure many of us here will also feel his loss deeply, as
do his colleagues at Packet Design where he was the Technical
Director covering Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

I spoke with his wife today, and she tells me that she too
is into DIY, although probably not quite to the same extent
as Andy.

Andy was a supporter of the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre,
and his family are directing any donations to the Jim Cronin
Memorial Fund which supports it.
http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk/topic.p...plate=standard

http://www.packetdesign.com/company/...lmemorium.html

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

What a sad loss for his family and this group. He will be sorely missed.
This newsgroup will never be the same without you and all the help you have
given.
There is something to be said for someone who will give their time away for
free helping others that they will never meet for real.
Rest in peace Andy our thoughts and prayers are with you.

God Bless

Sam
Thank you for all your help Andy even though I never told you how much you
have help me specifically I couldnt have done my house without you.

Andrew Gabriel wrote:

I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

Jings, I'm really sad to hear it. I'd assumed he was off seeing to the
massive business empire. I'll miss the irascible, but thoroughly
worthwhile git.

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
up on Friday morning and was taken into hospital, where his
condition worsened and the decision was made to switch off
life support systems. It's not thought he would have been
aware of his situation.

Andy leaves behind his wife and children and his parents.
I'm sure many of us here will also feel his loss deeply, as
do his colleagues at Packet Design where he was the Technical
Director covering Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

I spoke with his wife today, and she tells me that she too
is into DIY, although probably not quite to the same extent
as Andy.

Andy was a supporter of the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre,
and his family are directing any donations to the Jim Cronin
Memorial Fund which supports it.
http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk/topic.p...plate=standard

http://www.packetdesign.com/company/...lmemorium.html

****.

Thats not right.

On Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:31:24 +0100, "Samantha Booth"
wrote:


What a sad loss for his family and this group. He will be sorely missed.
This newsgroup will never be the same without you and all the help you have
given.
There is something to be said for someone who will give their time away for
free helping others that they will never meet for real.
Rest in peace Andy our thoughts and prayers are with you.

God Bless

Sam
Thank you for all your help Andy even though I never told you how much you
have help me specifically I couldnt have done my house without you.


Beautifully put. May I take the opportunity to add my condolences.
The response here has been truly touching and as other have said, I hope his
family can see the appreciative sentiment expressed in this NG.

Andy C

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember (Andrew
Gabriel) saying something like:

I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

Ah, bugger. Really, really sorry to hear that - the place definitely
won't be the same without his good-humoured (and sometimes pig-headed)
defence of quality.


I spoke with his wife today, and she tells me that she too
is into DIY, although probably not quite to the same extent
as Andy.

Pass on my condolences, if you are still in touch with her.

Please ask her to make sure the coffin/urn is made of the finest
materials and delivered by hand-selected veiled maidens. He'd appreciate
that.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"It's a moron working with power tools.
How much more suspenseful can you get?"
- House

The Natural Philosopher coughed up some electrons that declared:

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
up on Friday morning and was taken into hospital, where his
condition worsened and the decision was made to switch off
life support systems. It's not thought he would have been
aware of his situation.

Andy leaves behind his wife and children and his parents.
I'm sure many of us here will also feel his loss deeply, as
do his colleagues at Packet Design where he was the Technical
Director covering Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

I spoke with his wife today, and she tells me that she too
is into DIY, although probably not quite to the same extent
as Andy.

Andy was a supporter of the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre,
and his family are directing any donations to the Jim Cronin
Memorial Fund which supports it.
http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk/topic.p...plate=standard

http://www.packetdesign.com/company/...lmemorium.html

****.

Thats not right.

Although it will be no consolation for Andy's family at this time, if a man
can leave this world thought of so highly by even people he hasn't met,
he's done well. But, no, it's not right.

Tim

"Adrian C" wrote in message
...
Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

Sad news. This newsgroup will be overrun by complaints on cheap chinese
ALDI/LIDL tools, and Mr Hall won't get the chance to say "I told you
so..."

He'll miss that, and we'll miss him for it....

--
Adrian C

Not to mention his views on laminate flooring.

He will be will sadly missed on this newgroup for both his very good advice
and his sense of humour

My condolences to his family.

Adam

The message
from (Andrew Gabriel) contains these words:

I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

Very sad news.

I have been busy today so have come late to this thread so will just say
that I agree with all the good things that have been already said about
Andy. He will surely be greatly missed.

My condolences to his family.

--
Roger Chapman

On Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:01:24 +0100, Mary Fisher wrote:

"S Viemeister" wrote in message
...
Andrew Gabriel wrote:

...


Thank you for letting us know. I had wondered where he was, and was
considering posting to ask if he was okay. His contributions here will
be missed.

Yes, I'm very sorry and it would be good if his family could be sent our
condolences.

Mary

Here Here!

In article ,
Andy Cap writes:

Beautifully put. May I take the opportunity to add my condolences.
The response here has been truly touching and as other have said, I hope his
family can see the appreciative sentiment expressed in this NG.

What I could do is put together a card with the relevant paragraphs
quoted from this thread attached. It is very touching, I've got quite
a lump in my throat just reading through them. I won't do anything
until sometime next week, to allow those who dip into the newsgroup
less often the opportunity to comment. (May need a little editing
to move them from a brash Usenet context to an In Memorium context.)

I've always admired and respected Andy's posts, and he will be a
great loss to the newsgroup. I met him a number of times at the
DIY meetings we had in London and Berkshire areas. His area of
business was similar to mine, although we never actually worked
together on anything. However, I did use him as a voice of reason
and logical thought when I was weighing up two slightly different
career paths, where his advice was just as valuable as his comments
here have always been.

I will certainly miss him, and my thoughts are with his parents,
wife, and children.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
In article ,
Andy Cap writes:
Beautifully put. May I take the opportunity to add my condolences.
The response here has been truly touching and as other have said, I hope his
family can see the appreciative sentiment expressed in this NG.

What I could do is put together a card with the relevant paragraphs
quoted from this thread attached. It is very touching, I've got quite
a lump in my throat just reading through them. I won't do anything
until sometime next week, to allow those who dip into the newsgroup
less often the opportunity to comment. (May need a little editing
to move them from a brash Usenet context to an In Memorium context.)

I've always admired and respected Andy's posts, and he will be a
great loss to the newsgroup. I met him a number of times at the
DIY meetings we had in London and Berkshire areas. His area of
business was similar to mine, although we never actually worked
together on anything. However, I did use him as a voice of reason
and logical thought when I was weighing up two slightly different
career paths, where his advice was just as valuable as his comments
here have always been.

I will certainly miss him, and my thoughts are with his parents,
wife, and children.


I am now thoroughly annoyed with myself. No such meeting having been
mentioned in ages, I had thought to suggest one earlier this summer.
(Circumstance made this difficult, so I did not do so.) I certainly
would like to have met Andy. I am finding it poignant that those posts
of his that I most appreciated were on OT health issues.

Please put my name to any such card - and if I have said anything
quotable, do so.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

I am so sorry to hear that Andy has died, he will be missed

I appreciated being able to trust that he would always have his facts
right .. and his opinionated views

My condolences to his family

Anna
--
Anna Kettle
Lime plaster repair and conservation
Freehand modelling in lime: overmantels, pargeting etc
Tel: ***(+44) *01359 230642
Mob: *(+44) *07976 649862
Please look at my website for examples of my work at:
www.kettlenet.co.uk *

That's a tragedy.

I met him in Exeter before an Axminster tool show at Westpoint one time. He
was a gentleman.

My condolences to his family.

Al Reynolds

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
.. .
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke. He didn't wake
up on Friday morning and was taken into hospital, where his
condition worsened and the decision was made to switch off
life support systems. It's not thought he would have been
aware of his situation.

Andy leaves behind his wife and children and his parents.
I'm sure many of us here will also feel his loss deeply, as
do his colleagues at Packet Design where he was the Technical
Director covering Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

I spoke with his wife today, and she tells me that she too
is into DIY, although probably not quite to the same extent
as Andy.

Andy was a supporter of the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre,
and his family are directing any donations to the Jim Cronin
Memorial Fund which supports it.
http://www.monkeyworld.co.uk/topic.p...plate=standard

http://www.packetdesign.com/company/...lmemorium.html

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

Thanks for letting us know this terrible and shocking news Andrew.

I will certainly miss his expert contributions on many many subjects, and of
course the occasional entertaining run-ins with "Dr Drivel", etc. His
contributions were often laced with his wicked sense of humour.

I never met the guy but had a great respect for his views and advice. He
steered me towards several excellent products with his constant search for
perfection - boilers, garage doors, fridges particularly spring to mind.

I'm sorry I never made it to one of the uk.d-i-y meets - sadly I won't now
have the chance to put a face to the name.

My sincere condolences to his family.

Simon Stroud.

I'm always one of the last to comment on announcements such as these
even though usually one of the first to see them it would seem.
I never know just what to say or how to say it. I'm a bit rubbish with
this sort of stuff, so bare with me...
For me no-one "passes away" for that indicates they leave those they
loved, places they appreciated and tasks they enjoyed behind. Passed
over, crossed over, gone to the other side, how ever it's termed, it's
_never_ "passed away" !

I, like many (most)others here I didn't know Andy Hall personally so I
can't relate to him as just "Andy" for me he will always be "Andy Hall"
a man with great input into the group who's opinions and thoughts will
be greatly missed and always respected.

No doubt he will be keeping an eye on his family from the other side and
giving guidance in whatever way he can to anyone that asks him for DIY
spiritual assistance. The answers that come to us in light of sleep are
I believe answers from those that have passed before us and those who
are always in our thoughts.

My thoughts and wishes go to everyone touched by Andy Hall;
friends,familly, aquaintances and those like myself that only knew him
as a source of wisdom in the realms of uk.d-i-y

Andy Hall, gone but never forgotten.

Pete.

--

Andrew Gabriel wrote:
Folks,
I'm really sad to report that Andy died in the early hours of
Saturday 9th August following a massive stroke.

Oh no. I just can't believe that, what a tragedy.

I'm going to miss the guy, things won't be quite the same around here
anymore.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

"www.GymRatZ.co.uk" wrote in message
...
I'm always one of the last to comment on announcements such as these
even though usually one of the first to see them it would seem.
I never know just what to say or how to say it. I'm a bit rubbish with
this sort of stuff, so bare with me...
For me no-one "passes away" for that indicates they leave those they
loved, places they appreciated and tasks they enjoyed behind. Passed
over, crossed over, gone to the other side, how ever it's termed, it's
_never_ "passed away" !

I, like many (most)others here I didn't know Andy Hall personally so I
can't relate to him as just "Andy" for me he will always be "Andy Hall"
a man with great input into the group who's opinions and thoughts will
be greatly missed and always respected.

No doubt he will be keeping an eye on his family from the other side and
giving guidance in whatever way he can to anyone that asks him for DIY
spiritual assistance. The answers that come to us in light of sleep are
I believe answers from those that have passed before us and those who
are always in our thoughts.

My thoughts and wishes go to everyone touched by Andy Hall;
friends,familly, aquaintances and those like myself that only knew him
as a source of wisdom in the realms of uk.d-i-y

Andy Hall, gone but never forgotten.

Pete.

As a long-time lurker and occasional poster, you echo my sentiments
completely.
My condolences to his family and friends.

In article ,
"Simon Stroud" writes:

Thanks for letting us know this terrible and shocking news Andrew.

I will certainly miss his expert contributions on many many subjects, and of
course the occasional entertaining run-ins with "Dr Drivel", etc. His
contributions were often laced with his wicked sense of humour.

I never met the guy but had a great respect for his views and advice. He
steered me towards several excellent products with his constant search for
perfection - boilers, garage doors, fridges particularly spring to mind.

I'm sorry I never made it to one of the uk.d-i-y meets - sadly I won't now
have the chance to put a face to the name.

It's little consolation for not being there, but there are
some picture which Geoff took at one of the London meetings
on my website at http://www.cucumber.demon.co.uk/diy_london/

I just added another picture of Andy on at the end (not taken
at that event).

My sincere condolences to his family.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

I'd like to add my name to the growing list of those expressing their
sadness.

Through the wonders of Google I've just been looking back at questions
which I asked the good people of uk.d-i-y to which Andy gave answers.
Until I did that I hadn't actually realised how much help he'd given
me over the years, and how many things in this place owe something to
his advice. He was always generous with his help, and remarkably
patient given some of stupid things I've asked at times. His
contributions embody the spirit of uk.d-i-y and what makes it so
agreeable.

I can't imagine what his family must be feeling, but I'd like to pass
on my condolences.

Martin