I still think we should have a top level category or something so that no one is ever forgotten. Perhaps limit posts, to keep it from getting to noisy.
I did not know Michael personally but I understand he and Robert White founded the Alamo Area Fiero Owners Club. About 19 months ago Michael suffered a massive stroke which left him in a coma. Just before this year Round Up with help from AAFO members Michael’s Fiero was repaired and found a new home. This years charity funds went to the Desbrow family to help with Michael’s medical expenses. The link provides a guest book to leave condolences or share your memories of Michael.
DESBROW Michael Robert Desbrow quietly passed away at home in care of his loving family on September 13, 2010. Michael is survived by his wife Mary; his parents, Robert and Marguerite and his sister Darlene. Visitation will be at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home on Bandera Road Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a rosary at 7:00 P.M. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 12:00 P.M. Monday, September 20, 2010 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 7893 Grissom Road with Rev. Msgr. Patrick Cronin officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with Air Force military honors. Please visit www.sunsetnwchapel.com for tributes
I just received some very bad news. Forum member Jeff Socha (JSocha or PRE10DR) has passed away.
I met Jeff through the forum in the year 2000. I was excited because Jeff also lived in North Dakota. There aren’t many fieros in the state and Jeff had one and it was a fastback GT. Jeff and I became good friends. He would make the 175 mile trip to Bismarck several times a year. His family liked to show horses locally and he also had friends in the area Coming to Bismarck also gave him an excuse to get his 87gt out of storage and on the road. We would typically eat at Friday’s and he would always buy the drinks. I also remember on two occasions, other forum members would be passing through Bismarck, and Jeff would drive his fiero down just to spend an hour with another PFF member. 6 hours in a fiero (there and back) just to spend an hour with another forum member. I was impressed.
Jeff was a very heavy poster during the early days of PFF. I worked the night shift and could always count on Jeff to be online to keep me company at work via PFF. I convinced Jeff to attend the 2002 Dells Run in Wisconsin Dells.. We had our own little ND convoy all the way to the Dells. Jeff drove his GT and his daughter drove another GT that Jeff had recently picked up in Texas.
Picture of Jeff at the 2002 Dells Run with his car
Jeff, myself and WKAYL (Wayne from Denver) closed the Chula Vista bar down the first night. As always, Jeff bought the drinks. It took me the rest of the show to recover. He kept buying me hard lemonades.
Around the year 2005-6, Jeff move from Rugby ND, to a town just north of Moorhead MN. He cut down on his postings on PFF, and he didn’t make it to Bismarck as much. I feel bad because I routinely made it to the Fargo, Moorhead area but was always to busy to look him up. I last talked to Jeff about a year ago and I will truly miss him.
If you knew Jeff or had dealings with him through Pennocks please post your Jeff storey in this thread.
I will provide a link to this thread to Jeff’s family.
Thanks
Sorry to hear of OUR lost.
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 10-07-2010).]
I am Don's daughter, and just wanted to let everyone know that my Dad, Don Gage (known as KA4NKF) passed away on Dec 13, 2008, at the age of 74. He had been on this Forum for many years, and enjoyed it very much. I just wanted to let all his friends know he is gone, and that he enjoyed talking with everyone on here so much.
Lynn
Here is his obituary...
Donald Earl Gage (this pic is from 1977, but it is how I will always remember him)
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Donald Earl Gage, 74, formerly of Paducah, KY, died Saturday, December 13th, in New Port Richey, FL.
Mr. Gage was born on April 23, 1934, in White County, Arkansas. He had retired in 1995 from Western Baptist Hospital as a Maintenance Engineer after 20 years of service. He was owner and gunsmith of Gage’s Gun Shop on Broadway for many years prior to that. Mr. Gage was also an Amateur Radio (HAM) Operator and a member of the Fiero Owners Club of America.
Mr. Gage is survived by his wife of 56 years, Phyllis Woodward Gage; sons Phillip (Sue) Gage of Palm Harbor, FL, and Donald R. (Cecelia) Gage of Wahiawa, HI.; a daughter, Eva Lynn (Darryl) Cunningham of New Port Richey, FL.; grandsons, Austin Gage of Cape Canaveral, FL, Paul Gage of Tampa, FL, Gage Cunningham of New Port Richey, FL, and Jarek Gage, and Adry Gage, both of Wahiawa, HI; sisters Monna (Charles) Sweatt of Lone Oak, KY, and Weda (James) Walden of Wildwood, MO, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Merrell Gage in 1967, and parents Ray and Inez Gage.
Services are scheduled for 12 p.m. Saturday, December 20th, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home on Memorial Drive in Paducah, with interment to follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive visitors from 10 a.m.–12 noon Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, Va. 22312.
Here is my Dad and my son Gage on my Dad's 74th birthday this year. He had apple pie (his favorite)
and Daddy in his first Fiero, an 84 Silver SE
I am so glad to see there is a thread to honor those Fiero friends who have passed away. I am saddened to see just how many names and faces I recognize, but I am glad there is a way to honor them here. (I had never seen this thread, but until recently, haven't been online much). I met Don at AutoZone years ago while I was working. He walked in wearing a Fiero jacket, which obviously got my attention, and we struck up a conversation. I always enjoyed his coming in the store and talking about our Fieros. He kept in touch occasionally when he moved from Paducah, and I always thought highly of him. In fact, last year's Mid America Fieros cruise was dedicated to his memory (And Lynn, I do still have a CD to mail you but I misplaced your address!) If you see this please get in touch with me and I'll get this right out to you.
------------------ Jennifer Lindsey Green "Fierochic" since 1989! ASE Certified Automotive Parts Specialist President, Mid America Fieros Still Driving Excitement - Every Single Day! Please visit my personal webpage at www.fierochic.com and our club's webpage at www.midamericafieros.com
GLOUCESTER - Curry Cooper Obenshain Jr., 60, died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Riverside Walter Reed Hospital. He was born in Bethesda, Md., to the late Curry C. and Elizabeth Brown Obenshain Sr. He was employed at Philip Morris in Williamsburg as a processing technician, was a member of St. Therese Catholic Church, was president and founding member of the Fiero Owners Club of Southeastern Virginia, and had served his country in the U.S. Navy. He was also preceded in death by his older brother and sister and is survived by his loving wife, Maryvonne Swift Obenshain; his sister, Christina Obenshain Donofrio of Middletown, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, at St. Therese Catholic Church, by Father James Cowles. Burial will be in Bellamy Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m1. today, at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to St. Therese Catholic Church, P.O. Box 669, Gloucester, VA 23061. Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, Va., is in charge of arrangements.
Curry was the founding member of FOCOSEVA, now known as Virginia Fiero Assn. He was very active in the Fiero community back 15 years ago, and a lifetime member of FOCOA. His was the first 3800SC swap I had ever seen and it was an awesome car.
The Fiero community has lost another Fiero enthusiast. On Tuesday, Carol lost her husband Myron Clauzel to cancer. They are an active Fiero couple, with approximately 23 Fieros in their stable. This was, and still is a shock for us here in the Inland Northwest. Myron was getting up in age, but he was totally aware of himself, and was a proven Fiero enthusiast up until the end.
You will be missed my friend, and may you help guide the rest of us along the path to greatness. Thanks for all of your advice Myron, you are already missed.
Tony
Myron in the pink shirt, along with Carol to the left of him at the 09 Northwest Fierofest...
I learned yesterday that a friend of mine and legend in the Fiero as well as racing world, passed away on Thursday evening. Paul VanderLey was an outstanding, honest, and caring person, who had a wonderful family. My sympathies go out to them in these hard times. For those of you who may not know the name, Paul was a good friend of John Callies who was the manager of Pontiac Motorsports from 1978 to 1988. Paul was one of the driving forces behind making the SD4 (1984 pace car) the beast that has made it a legend and is still used today in midget racing. John went to Paul in the early '80s to help with the entire engine but particularly the head flow for the motor when developing it for the Indy Pace Car. For those of you who may remember, John mentioned Paul in his presentation at the 25th Anniversary Show in Detroit back in 2008.
Paul was someone who I always looked forward to talking with. His stories and advice were matched only by John Callies himself. Paul told me of his adventures on the Salt Flats breaking into the 200 MPH club and setting several land speed records with his '34 Coupe. Paul also built the SD4 motors for many of the IMSA Fiero GTU, and GTPL cars. In fact, he built the motor for the IMSA GTPL Fiero car that won its class at the 1986 24 hours at Daytona covering over 2200 miles in that time period. They also set a qualifying record that year. If you had the fortunate chance to meet and talk with John at the 25th Show, I can tell you that Paul was the same type of person. Willing to talk with you about anything and very interested in sharing his experience with you. I really will miss talking with him.
I came to know Paul when John introduced us in 2003 as I was looking for an engine for my IMSA racecar. Paul sold me his personal Bonnieville salt flat engine out of his '34 and recammed it for road racing. That was special to me considering the history in the heads that are on that motor and the personal attachment to Paul and his family. Rest assured, Paul, they are in a safe place and will always be cherished.
Below is a summary of information from his life that I think punctuate the information above. I also have added some of my favorite pictures. Again, my thoughts and condolences go out to Paul's loving family. This is a sad day in Fiero and Racing history.
By Chuck Corder....
Paul VanderLey rarely slowed down.
Whether in his formative years or later in life when he was experiencing great success, VanderLey’s singular focus helped him blaze a lot of trails in many forms of auto racing.
The racing community lost VanderLey on Thursday after a short battle with Stage 4 inoperable pancreatic cancer. Born in Grandville, Mich., VanderLey died at 76 in Gulfport, Mississippi.
A National Hot Rod Association Hall of Famer, Paul VanderLey is survived by his brother Ray, sister Esther Gabehart, wife Kay, children Dan, Cathy Watson, and Linda Powell, and 10 grandchildren, including one great grandchild.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Riemann’s Family Funeral Home on Three Rivers Road in Gulfport, Mississippi, with visitation Tuesday, April 12 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with a celebration service to follow.
“We’re glad he didn’t suffer long,” said son Dan VanderLey, who remained in the family business when he started VDL Fuel Systems in 1998. “He lived a full life and we have some great memories.”
Many of those memories included something to do with cars and racing.
As a teenager in 1950, he left Biloxi, Mississippi, and moved to Santa Barbara, California, to live with his sister Ruth Reed, 10 years his senior.
It was in Santa Barbara where his lifelong love affair with cars began, first working in an auto shop for Bob Joehnck.
“Paul was the kid who sat on his bicycle across the street and watched us work on the racecars,” Joehnck remembers, “and I guess he was afraid to ask if he could come in. One day I was by myself, trying to push a car into the shop and I hollered at him to help.
“After that, he was part of the scene. Paul got in at the beginning of southern California’s racing boom, involved in drag racing and circle dirt track racing. My impression of Paul was that he was a real racer. He didn’t care what he drove; he just wanted to go racing.”
VanderLey continued to drag race after marrying Kay and returning to Biloxi.
He met Don Garlits and Connie Swindle and campaigned one of Garlits’ Swamp Rat III top fuel cars before getting a Ford factory ride in their AFX Comets.
In 1964, VanderLey campaigned the Ford Comet with a highlight of winning his class in Daytona, Florida, at NASCAR’s Speedweeks.
He continued racing dragsters and super stock cars through the 1960s, and then partnered with the late Dick Mororso in the ’70s, racing Mororso’s Corvette in the NHRA. The campaign garnered VanderLey several wins, including the NHRA Division IV points championship and the NHRA Cajun Nationals.
He also raced super modifieds on southern tracks, such as Mobile, Ala., Jackson, Miss., Laurel, Miss., Birmingham, Ala., and Pensacola, Fla.
“It was a traveling circus in those days,” Dan VanderLey recalled. “You could make a living at it. Not a very good one, but a living. All us kids would take our toy cars out of the vans and play behind the grandstands. We fought just like the big guys. My first bloody lip came on the backside of Mobile International Speedway. We laugh about it all the time today. That’s where we started racing.”
In the ’80s, Paul VanderLey turned his attention to his engine building business. He partnered with John Callies at Pontiac Motorsports on projects including the Indy pace car, IMS GTU, IMSA GTP Light and IMSA GTP.
Together, the pair experienced great success including driver and manufacturer championships and a 1986 win at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
“Paul had a special ability,” Callies said, “to see the air in his head ports and his manifolds that made him better than most. He was instrumental in the development of many of our cylinder head designs.”
VanderLey continued to build engines in the ’90s and focused on racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats. He teamed up with Jack Mendenhall, an old friend from his Santa Barbara days, and built a ’34 Roadster.
Through testing and running at Bonneville, VanderLey entered the prestigious 200 mph Club.
“It’s still a big deal today when you get into the 200 Club,” Dan VanderLey said.
In helping a friend Gary Aker, a young GM wind tunnel engineer, Paul VanderLey built an engine for a Pontiac Firebird that set a world land-speed record for a production car, approaching 300 mph.
He stopped racing himself in 2008 in order to help his grandson, Daren “D.J.” VanderLey, focus on a blossoming career.
“Sometimes it takes the tenacity Dad had to be successful in this sport,” Dan VanderLey said.
When it came to life, slowing down was never an option for Paul VanderLey
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 04-12-2011).]
Les Sandy passed away Monday June 13, 2011. Les was a New England member of the Fiero community. I'm not sure if he was on PFF, but was a real nice guy.
Les Sandy passed away Monday June 13, 2011. Les was a New England member of the Fiero community. I'm not sure if he was on PFF, but was a real nice guy.
Les made it to all of our shows (FOCONE) and took home many trophies. Always willing to help in any way he could. Les was also a customer and a friend. You will be missed my friend!
Kathy Welch, my wife of 40 years, passed of cancer on Oct. 20, 2010.
She was a big fan of our Fieros, and my best friend.
It's not the same without her.
Words simply can not express the sadness I feel for you. 40 years is a beautiful run together. Just remember she will be waiting for you when you cross over.
So after 40 years of marriage, can you give us younger guys a tip on how to make our relationship stand the test of time? After all you must have done something right.
Both parties have to give 150% ALL of the time. Always put your spouse before you. Become friends before you do anything else. Never go to bed angry or upset with your spouse. Realize that your spouse has fewer warts than you do, they got the raw end of the deal. And love each other completely, well and often. Treat your spouse like you want to be treated. It's all about trust and respect. Follow God's rules. Be a parent to your children, not their friend - after they are grownups, then the friendship can be genuine.
If both of you do this, you will make it until death do you part.
Both parties have to give 150% ALL of the time. Always put your spouse before you. Become friends before you do anything else. Never go to bed angry or upset with your spouse. Realize that your spouse has fewer warts than you do, they got the raw end of the deal. And love each other completely, well and often. Treat your spouse like you want to be treated. It's all about trust and respect. Follow God's rules. Be a parent to your children, not their friend - after they are grownups, then the friendship can be genuine.
If both of you do this, you will make it until death do you part.
Thank you. Very well written. I am an engaged young man, about enter the journey that you and Kathy shared. I find myself asking people lots of questions these days about life and love. When I was 19 I thought I knew everything, now that I am 29 I realize I know nothing.
Pennocks member "shop_rat45" passed away last October or November. Short of selling him a few parts, I'd only known him on Pennocks, but he seemed like a pretty cool guy, and I wish his family the best.
I got a visit last week from a friend whose husband passed away in 2005 or so. She presented me with a gift. Just now I opened it. Two Fiero cups and label pins.
Her husband is the reason why I kept #011. His name was Tim Cruz (trainman here on the forum).
Kris A. Munson, Sr., age 54, of Reddick, FL passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2011. He was born in The Dalles, OR on November 29, 1956. Kris was raised in Massena, NY. He served in the military for eight years, four years in the US Army and four years in the National Guard. He worked as an Automotive Technician. His hobbies included fixing cars. Kris was a member of the Space Coast Fiero Club. He was a member of Church at the Springs in Ocala, FL. He is survived by his wife of 17 years Audrey Pierce Munson of Reddick, FL; son Kris A. (Rachael) Munson, Jr. of Knoxville, TN; mother Patricia Munson of Kingston, TN; sister Patrice Bullen of Kingston, TN and sister Denise (Mike) Strunk of Knoxville, TN. He was preceded in death by his father William E. Munson; brother in law Colin Bullen. A funeral service will be held Church at the Springs, 5424 SE 58th Ave, Ocala, FL 34480 on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 11am. A visitation will also take place at the church on Saturday from 10am until the time of the service at 11am. A private interment will take place at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Church at the Springs building fund in memory of Kris A. Munson, Sr. Arrangements are being handled by Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services (www.hiers-baxley.com).
[This message has been edited by Old Lar (edited 10-10-2011).]
During the past couple of days I found out that a beloved friend of mine past away in the choptop community. I'm going by Bakersfield, CA. today and I'm not really feeling good about my visit. I will tell you more about it today with their permission to post and mention the name here.
Del Walker passed away last week. He was a fixture at the Dells, Fierorama and other midwest shows. I don't believe he was a PFF pster..
The arrangements for Del's funeral are as follows
Bruskiewitz Funeral Home
5355 W Forest Home Ave
Milwaukee, Wi.
Services from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday February 3rd
If you would like to donate toward Flowers and card, contact Ann Knoll 262-363-5187
After his long battle with cancer he will now rest in peace. He was a very active member of our club for years and helped out on a lot of our club events. His Purple, blue & pink Fiero was seen at different shows across the Midwest and he won his share of trophies including best in class awards. He always made the time to say hi to everyone and contributed his ideas on many events. I thought of him as my as my go to guy when ever I needed help. . He will be missed by all! and our thoughts and prayers go out to Sheila and the Walker family.
Rest in peace From The Fanatics
[This message has been edited by Old Lar (edited 01-31-2012).]
Del Walker passed away last week. He was a fixture at the Dells, Fierorama and other midwest shows. I don't believe he was a PFF poster..
Thanks for posting this Lar, I got an email from Del a few weeks ago telling me his last efforts to beat colon cancer had failed. He was informed by his doctor to go "enjoy what time you have" and he mentioned he would be moving back to FL for his final days (which I hope he was able to do.). Del was a nice guy and my condolences go to his family in their time of loss.
Will
[This message has been edited by infinitewill (edited 01-31-2012).]
Pennocks member "shop_rat45" passed away last October or November. Short of selling him a few parts, I'd only known him on Pennocks, but he seemed like a pretty cool guy, and I wish his family the best.
Very late on this, but this is some sad news. I knew Chris briefly through the Michigan Fiero Club. Took me for a ride in his (then) new GTO. We also swapped Fiero stories as well as friendship and some Fiero stuff. He was a young guy, so sad to see this. My thoughts are with his family.
I received a message yesterday that we lost Larry Hack, husband of Barb Hack. Barb was one of the 4 Michigan Fiero Club members (along with myself, Ron Triechel and Ken Shadlak) that put on the 25th Anniversary Fiero show in 2008. Larry volunteered a great deal of his time to the show, not only at the show, but behind the scenes coming to our board meetings, and assisting with the planning of the show. He along with all the spouses gave a great deal of their free time up, as the 4 of us worked on making the 25th the show that is was.
Larry was a great guy and was someone who helped me out a great deal at the 25th, and I am very saddened by the news of his passing. Barb and her entire family are in my prayers.
I had heard that Larry passed. A great guy that I had met at the various Dells shows, FOCOA shows and at Daytona. I'll have to dig through my photo files.
My Fiero friend Mike aka Nosferatu187 on the forums passed away early this morning. I met him 5 years ago while helping him get his car ready to drive home to Texas. He did not post much but was a great guy. He owned and drove a 87 gt for 15 plus years. Cancer took him too young.
RIP Mike.
[This message has been edited by indyguy (edited 05-02-2012).]
I know this isn't really the focus, but I really hate to see it when ths thread gets bumped
Believe me you are not alone in this sentiment. While I think it is great we honor and remember those fellow fiero friends and folks we have lost it is a hard thing to see posted. Peace and God's speed to all those great members here that have passed on. Peace
On Tuesday, Carol lost her husband Myron Clauzel to cancer. They are an active Fiero couple, with approximately 23 Fieros in their stable. This was, and still is a shock for us here in the Inland Northwest. Myron was getting up in age, but he was totally aware of himself, and was a proven Fiero enthusiast up until the end. .JPG)
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