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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
oeing 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, ot 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
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A Farewell to Joe.
By Michiel van der Vlist (2:280/5555)
Joe Delahaye, 1:249/303 is no longer with us. He passed away on 24
September 2017. Joe was born in The Netherlands from Dutch parents
and so technically Dutch was his native Language. He moved to Canada
with his parents when he was three years old, and since then had
only visited The Netherland for short periods, so his Dutch was not
as well maintained as that of the people who had spent most of their
lives in The Netherlands. But Joe had not forgotten his Dutch roots
and he made an effort. As such he was an invited guest in a local
Dutch area. His contributions were appreciated. Joe even applied for
a Dutch passport when some exception on the rules regarding Dual
Citizenship made it possible.
During Joe's last two visits to The Neteherlands, he was also a
guest in my house. In 2009 and in 2014. In 2009 we had a sysop
meeting at my house. Sysops from The Netherlands, Belgium and one
from Germany came to meet Joe. We hade a good time. Joe stayed
the night and his brother who lived in Den Helder picked him up
the morning after. In 2014 we had another R28 sysop meeting and
we met again with Joe. During that stay he was active as a point
on my system. He had forgotten to activate it on his own system.
I kept the point number active on my system just in case it would
be needed again. Now it will never be needed any more and it was
with sadness in my hearth that I removed 2:280/5555.303 from my
configuration.
It was with equal saddness that I reported VE3JFD as silent key at
QRZ.COM. Joe was a HAM. Another thing we had in common.
Joe, you have done a lot of good work for Fidonet and I considered you
a friend. May you rest in peace.
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