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Post by kerryman on Dec 8, 2005 11:56:59 GMT
Sincerest Condolences to Tims family, friends and everyone in Listowel.
Admin, any way that this thread could be sent to the Kennelly family?
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Aodhan
Senior Member
Posts: 792
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Post by Aodhan on Dec 8, 2005 14:04:16 GMT
R.I.P. Heart felt condolences to the Kennelly Family. Saw him last Sunday and what struck me most was his love of Listowel Emmetts and how proud he was of their display. Little did we know then what was to unfold only two days later. Tim, thanks for the memories.
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Aine
Senior Member
Posts: 740
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Post by Aine on Dec 8, 2005 14:22:46 GMT
Very sad news. The tributes coming from all angles of the sporting world show just how much a ledgend the man was. Sincere Condolences to Tims family and many friends
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Riocht
Senior Member
Posts: 673
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Post by Riocht on Dec 9, 2005 8:21:06 GMT
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.
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Post by whyte202 on Dec 9, 2005 8:38:50 GMT
was shocked to hear the news of the death of a kerry legend. The first to part us from the great kerry team or should i say the best footballing team ever. Football is the last thing on the minds of the listowel folk this weekend, but it wud be a fitting tribute to tim if they were to go out and win the N.K championship next weekend against ballyduff. No doubt he wud be a happy man looking down on his native club in triumph.
GOD BLESS TIM.
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Post by Walter Mitty on Dec 9, 2005 10:24:29 GMT
Sincerest Condolences to Tims family, friends and everyone in Listowel. Admin, any way that this thread could be sent to the Kennelly family? If anyone wants to put in some final words of respect before this evening, I ll print it off and make sure the Kennelly family gets it
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madmac999
Senior Member
Who Put the ball in the Tarbert Net????
Posts: 724
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Post by madmac999 on Dec 9, 2005 11:10:55 GMT
Tims Removal will be taking place tonight (Fri 8th Dec) from O'Carrolls Funeral Home to St. Marys Church followed by his burial on Saturday. RIP Tim Kennelly a true legend in every sense one whom we will all miss greatly.
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Post by launeman on Dec 9, 2005 11:17:25 GMT
I remember attending Kerry training sessions in Killarney in 1982 as a 7 year old and was in awe at Tim's strength and ability as a player. I will treasure these memories forever. He was a gentlemen: always willing to sign autographs and stand in for pictures. Tim, may you rest in peace.
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ashka
On Probation
Posts: 5
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Post by ashka on Dec 9, 2005 13:16:31 GMT
Deepest sympathies to the Kennelly family on the death of Tim. He was a legend and will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace.
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Boro
Full Member
Maigh Mheain Abu
Posts: 96
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Post by Boro on Dec 9, 2005 14:35:43 GMT
Very sad. The man was a great. Legends live forever.
My thoughts & condolences go out to his family & friends.
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madmac999
Senior Member
Who Put the ball in the Tarbert Net????
Posts: 724
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Post by madmac999 on Dec 9, 2005 14:40:38 GMT
Man they called the 'Horse' was a rock in green and gold Wednesday December 7th 2005 ADVERTISEMENT
Martin Breheny
TOWARDS the end of 1974, Kerry football was feeling very sorry for itself. Two successive Munster final defeats by Cork - one by nine points, the other by seven - had left the Kingdom near to despair as they tried to plot their way out from under the spell of their great rivals.
It was into that scene that an athletic 20-year-old took his first tentative steps towards what would become one of the most successful centre half-back careers in the history of Gaelic football.
It would last for almost a decade and, by the time he had finished, Tim Kennelly had won five All-Ireland senior medals, as well as every other honour the game could bestow.
When Mick O'Dwyer packed away his playing boots in 1974 and accepted Ger McKenna's invitation to take over as Kerry manager, it was to players like Kennelly that he turned. It was a golden era in Kerry as the production lines despatched so much talent that O'Dwyer was spoiled for choice.
However, he needed specific types for particular duties and it didn't take him long to decide around whom he would construct the defence. John O'Keeffe, who had played at midfield and centre-back in previous years, would be switched to full-back, presenting young Kennelly with the opportunity to make the No 6 shirt his own.
Not even O'Dwyer could have imagined that his new recruit would settle into the demanding role so well. However, it was as if Kennelly had been specially designed for centre-back on a Kerry team that redefined Gaelic football.
O'Dwyer wanted pace, flexibility, skills and unpredictability in attack, intelligent ball winners at midfield and a combination of them all in defence, plus, of course, real strength.
It wasn't long before Kennelly - affectionately known as the 'Horse' - had secured the centre-back position so tightly that would-be challengers in Kerry sought openings in other positions while opponents tried to use other channels to attack the Kerry goal.
A man of great strength, his physical presence was hugely important in the Kerry defence. He presented a massive barrier all across the line and the tougher the demands, the more he responded. He was also blessed with the capacity to supply long, accurate deliveries which provided an alternative approach when Kerry deviated from the hand pass game.
It was very much their forté for several seasons but even on days when Kerry's close passing game was the favoured route, Kennelly would break play up from time to time with his long, booming kicks.
The high point of his career came in the 1979 when he captained Kerry to win the All-Ireland title, although probably his best final performance came in the 1980 final when Kerry had to apply all their survival instincts before wearing down a Roscommon team that lost its way after making what looked like a match-winning start.
They led by 1-2 to 0-0 after 12 minutes but Kerry simply re-adjusted their gameplan and dug in for a torrid battle where hardness of mind and body became hugely important. Nobody delivered more on both fronts than Kennelly, who prospered in the demanding exchanges as Kerry worked their way to a 1-9 to 1-6 win.
He would pick up his fifth All-Ireland title a year later before suffering the agony of the famous one-point defeat by Offaly in 1982. It would be Kennelly's last All-Ireland final appearance.
However, he would enjoy another great day out in Croke Park 18 years later when his son Noel was part of the Kerry team that won the 2000 All-Ireland title.
The Kennelly gene pool had influenced a new generation and would later extend to another continent as Noel's brother, Tadhg, progressed through the ranks as an Australian Rules footballer with Sydney Swans.
Tadhg played a major role in the Swans' Grand final win this year and while Tim wouldn't have swapped his All-Ireland medals for anything, it's likely that he felt just as much pride as he watched Tadhg dance an Irish jig after his Australian triumph.
Tim's death at the age of 51 is a sad loss to family, friends, Kerry and indeed the wider Gaelic football world.
The 'Horse' may be gone but the memories live on
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madmac999
Senior Member
Who Put the ball in the Tarbert Net????
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Post by madmac999 on Dec 9, 2005 18:01:04 GMT
President's address at the removal of Tim Kennelly
Friday, December 9
Sean Kelly, Uachtarán CLG, addressed the family and friends of Tim Kennelly at his removal in Listowel on Friday night, describing the former All-Ireland winner as "a man who was a giant of his generation" but who "had those most cherished attributes – greatness allied to humility".
The following is then full text of the President's address.
"Any of us who grew up in the Kingdom of Kerry have football running through our veins. From the time we reached the age of reason, and right through our formative years, football was part of the oxygen of our lives; consuming our thoughts, shaping our character and in many cases helping to chart our destiny.
The icons of our county, the revered and chosen ones are not those who have achieved fame, fortune and acclaim through conventional barometers and measurements applied in other lands. No, they are the men who have for over a century walked tall and proud in our beloved Green and Gold. They are the men who have exemplified the tradition of Kerry with displays of skill, courage and passion for the honour of their people and county. They are the men who brought glory and honour to the county. They are the men who gilded the legacy bestowed on them by the Almighty and previous generations and who handed the flame faithfully to the next generation to thrill and enthral us in a tradition enhanced.
"Indeed, I see many such men here in my presence tonight. We are amongst the members of the GAA extended family and Tim Kennelly’s family and friends to pay our respects to Tim, a man who was a giant of his generation and a man who earned a place amongst the Pantheon of greats.
"Tim wore the Green and Gold at all levels and won a multiplicity of honours at club, county, provincial and indeed national levels. When he burst on the scene in 1975, a year in which he won an U21 and senior All-Ireland, Tim quickly made the centre back position his own. He was the rock on which Kerry’s defence was built. In many ways he was the catalyst to the unprecedented success of a team without parallels. Tall, strong, brave, uncompromising and unsuspectingly skilful, Tim was the prototype and the embodiment of the Kerry defender.
"Tim Kennelly did not just achieve folk hero and football deity status in Kerry. Through his brilliance and honesty on the field and his open and endearing qualities in life, Tim was loved and admired right through the country and beyond. Unassuming, warm, compassionate and friendly, Tim had those most cherished attributes – greatness allied to humility.
"We all have fond memories of the 70’s and 80’s – the Golden Era of Kerry football. We all have favourite cameos which are indelibly etched in our memories. When these games are spoken of, the name of Tim Kennelly and his jousts with Tony Hanahoe always feature – they are the stuff of legend, part of the colourful tapestry that is the chronicle of the GAA. Is it any wonder when men like Páidí O Sé and Jimmy Deenihan speak in awe of some of the clashes, mere mortals can only pause and wonder?
"Tim may have taken satisfaction and pride at his achievements and the success of the various teams that he was part of. However, it was nothing to the pride and satisfaction he took in his own family when they started to play. He was ever present, coaxing, coaching, encouraging from the time they first donned the jersey’s of Listowel Emmett’s.
"Indeed, I remember once meeting him in Dublin before some game which I have long forgotten. I do not forget however what Tim said to me when I proffered the opinion that things weren’t great in the county. He said: “I have two lads and it won’t be long before they’re heard of”.
"He was right and I have reason to remember his words when all other aspects of the weekend have long been forgotten. I have watched Noel and Tadhg’s careers flower and flourish, and there was no prouder man on the planet when you first wore the Kerry jersey and when you achieved the ultimate honours here and in Australia. You can be proud that you gave him such satisfaction and pride and that you fulfilled the promise so well that he saw in you so many years ago. That is a rare and precious phenomenon for any parent to experience.
"As we mourn the loss of Tim tonight, I think that we can also count ourselves fortunate to have met him and known him. We can be grateful that we saw him play so many games and that we could share the reflected glory of his exploits and sometimes his unrivalled company. The man they called "Horse" may be gone, but will never be forgotten.
"On behalf of the GAA and its many members countrywide whose thoughts and prayers are at this time with the Kennelly family, I wish to extend sympathy to Nuala, to Mag, to Noel, Tadhg and Jo Anne. I hope that the collective outpouring of shock and sympathy in the county and so many expressions of sympathy from home and abroad may in some way support you in this time of grief."
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Happy
Full Member
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Post by Happy on Dec 9, 2005 22:08:39 GMT
Words really cant comprehend the shock everyone is in at this moment of time, its a shock to the system to hear that this fine mould of legendary heroic footballer has passed away, he was skilled talented in our culture and never failed to perform on the field he never let anyone down. football was his life as it is to everyone in kerry but tim was special he won every honour and that is no surprise. although i didnt know him personally i knew from the homecomings to listowel where we'd all enjoy the craic & banter of football and everything else, he was an absloute gent & fear uasal on and off the field, unfortunately being only 17 i never witnessed tim play however if noel & tadgh are anything to go by then we know where thay got their talents and gra of the game from. only last sunday he was there in moyvane where irst he witnessed his nephew jackie &ballydonghue defeat bally/asdee in the u-16 final and secondly witness his son play a key role in the defeat of ballylongford, that was tim a family man he was so proud in 2000 when noel won his medal and even prouder again as tadgh was the 1st gael to win down under at the highest level,a gaa man, an absolute gent, thanks for the memories ni bheidh a leitheid ann aris. to his family; nuala,joanne,noel & tadgh,his mother,brothers,sisters,nieces & nephews i offer my sincere condolences, i hope these words bring some comfort, my thoughts & prayers are with ye at this difficult time, may god bless ye and comfort ye, rest in peace tim, seo e an laochra gael, ar dheis de go raibh a anam dhilis. in the words of coldplays "fix you", "lights will guide u home and ignite your bones and i will try to fix u"
god bless u tim, memories last a lifetime, gone but not will never forgotten...
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murhur
Senior Member
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Post by murhur on Dec 10, 2005 9:36:46 GMT
I think everyone in Listowel and North Kerry would agree that Tim was as much Mr. Listowel as John B was - he epitomised what North Kerry football was all about and in that regard was such an inspiration to all North Kerry footballers who came after him. Indeed Eamonn Breen and Liam Flaherty were from the same mould. I imagine that a main reason behind Tadhg's drive to want to come back home and play for Kerry is because of his inspirational father and what he accomplished......and that would be reason enough to forego a lucrative career down under. There were plenty of tributes paid to Tim on Ciarrai Abu on Radio Kerry during the week. Ger Power, Johnny Flaherty, Mikey Sheehy, Sean Walsh, Mick ODwyer, and Christy Walsh among others were on hand with their memories. Here is the audio from the hour long show (14mb download - starts about 2mins in). www.moyvane.com/av/ciarraiabu12072005.wmaAr dheis Dé go raibh a anam
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Post by Original KYFan on Dec 10, 2005 17:41:15 GMT
Sincere condolances to the Kennelly family and all who knew and loved Tim - a terrible loss.
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twenty
Junior Member
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Post by twenty on Dec 11, 2005 14:17:13 GMT
Swans mourn loss 9 December 2005 sydneyswans.com.au
The entire Sydney Swans Club on Friday joined together to observe a minutes silence in respect of the passing of Tim Kennelly, father of Tadhg.
The Club had been rocked earlier in the week with the news of Tim Kennelly’s sudden passing and Tadhg rushed home to be with his family before Friday's funeral in Ireland.
Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos told sydneyswans.com.au; “We are a very close Club and the sudden death of Tim Kennelly certainly hit everybody hard.
“We felt by everybody getting together to observe a minutes silence for the memory of Tim that it was something we could do to show Tadhg and his family our support.
“Obviously we would have had a major representation at the funeral if it had been possible so this was our way of paying our respects given the circumstances.”
The entire Sydney Swans squad and staff of the Club assembled at Lakeside Oval, opposite the Sydney Cricket Ground, just prior to 9am this morning to observe a minutes silence.
George Stone, former assistant coach and now forward scout of the Sydney Swans, flew to Ireland to support Tadhg and represent the Sydney Swans at the funeral.
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twenty
Junior Member
Posts: 29
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Post by twenty on Dec 11, 2005 14:18:39 GMT
Fair play to them!!
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Post by katiescarlett on Dec 11, 2005 23:04:35 GMT
tadhg's presence in the red+white is huge & when something so crushing happens to one of our own, we’re behind them 120%.
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Post by buck02 on Dec 12, 2005 12:16:56 GMT
Listowel hurts for its hero, The Horse - Billy Keane, Irish Independent, Dec 10th
TUESDAY 3pm. I was driving out to Beale strand for a clear-the-head stroll when I saw the ambulance outside Timmy Kennelly's house.
"He's gone isn't he?" I asked Brian O'Brien, our teacher. Brian couldn't answer but his face told all. He just couldn't say the words. Tim 'The Horse' Kennelly, the unstoppable, unblockable, unrockable horse was felled by a massive heart attack.
September 1978. The Horse was a giant sea rock between the Dublin storm and the Kerry goal. The water seemed to break up around him and spill away into waves as harmless as a puppy licking your toes. We won. I ran onto the pitch. I was the second to get to him; Hanahoe was the first. Embrace. The happiness in his face.
We often had rows but we were always close. Backed each other up. When I started out playing senior I was of an age when I wouldn't be allowed into a picture with French kissing in it. Tim was centre-back, I was his domestique at left-half. He warned me to get rid of the ball quickly.
Timmy knew I was so light that if I took a breath of helium I would have been swept away to somewhere over the rainbow. Bang. Down I went like a sack of feathers.
The man who shouldered me hit the deck seconds afterwards. The Horse came in and blew him away as easily as a small boy blowing seeds from a dandelion. It was fair hit though, shoulder to shoulder, for that was The Horse's way.
Tuesday 4pm. There was a traffic jam building outside the house on the Ballylongford Road. The ambulance pulled out as Tim's son Noel arrived. It was sad to see a big, strong lad so utterly devastated. He was as polite as ever. Hugged and kissed before he went in to see his father. His sister Joanne, a lovely gentle girl, found her Dad. Noel was very nice to her; he has the gentle way of his mother.
September 2000. Noel is the first of the Golden Age offspring to win a senior All-Ireland. Tim is in tears. There is no greater honour for a Kerry father. P Ó Sé hops a ball. "Timmy, you're throwing great pups." I phoned Páidí just after Noel came in. "I have bad news, very bad," I told him. The phone went dead. The hardest man who ever laced a boot was devastated to the point of speechlessness.
Timmy and P Ó just loved each other's company. They told each other outrageous yarns and pretended to believe them. Jimmy Deenihan was next to be told.
1987. The count centre in the Ashe Memorial Hall in Tralee. Deenihan heads the poll and is elected to the Dáil for the first time. The Horse wore out several pairs of shoes canvassing for his old team-mate. Deenihan is carried shoulder high but the man underneath him is buckling. The Horse takes over.
"I've been carrying you all my life, Greek," he says to Deenihan. Deenihan looks down and says "That's what horses are for."
Tuesday 4pm. The family were unable to contact Tim's wife, Nuala. She drove past Pat Whelan's shop in William Street in Listowel. A big wave and a smile for Pat. Her son Noel and Pat's son Maurice starred in the Emmets' total football win over Ballylongford last Sunday. Pat knew, but there was nothing he could do.
Nuala always backed Timmy 100 per cent, on and off the field. Timmy and herself were mad about each other and very seldom mad with each other. Nuala worked long hours when they owned a pub and still managed to raise three lovely kids.
October '05. Bonfires blazed even though Kerry lost. Tadhg was home as a hero. The first Irishman to win a Grand Final. Tadhg stood up beside his Dad on the back of Galvin's beer lorry. Tim was so proud. Tadhg, a gas man, was slagging with his pals as ever. "We should have brought Timmy down to The Square in a horse box but he picked a beer lorry."
Tuesday again. Tadhg would have to be told before the papers got to him. It had to be Noel. The two boys are very close and Noel said he couldn't do it. But he was bred to be brave, on and off the field.
Noel woke his brother in what was the middle of the night in Australia. Tadhg immediately set out to see his Dad.
The sadness and loneliness of right now. Belfast mourned George and we feel just the same way about Tim. Lovely Listowel is a town in shock. There is no chirping in the voices of the women at their shopping, just hushed whispers. Men feel our back-up is gone. Everyone loved Timmy but Timmy was not perfect and he knew he was not perfect and there were times when that realisation upset him.
For sure and certain, though, Tim Kennelly was a good man and a compassionate man who had a word for everyone and never jangled his All-Ireland medals around in his pockets.
He was a man who hated to see anyone down and he was at his best when help was needed. And that assistance was always offered before it was asked for.
It was, I suppose, appropriate his heart gave out in the finish because he was all heart. That was the essence of the man but there was no way the heart of a lion could be sustained by the body of a man, even a man called The Horse.
Tim will go for his last drive with his great pal Eamonn O'Carroll, affectionately known as Ned the Dead. His coffin will be togged out in the green and gold of Kerry and the black and gold of the Emmets.
But every man, woman and child in North Kerry will drape his casket with their love for the Pegasus, the flying horse, that was Tim Kennelly.
The final whistle will sound around 12.30 today. You might stop at whatever you are doing around then and say a little prayer for Tim and his family. And for all of us who were lucky enough to know him.
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madmac999
Senior Member
Who Put the ball in the Tarbert Net????
Posts: 724
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Post by madmac999 on Dec 12, 2005 13:10:15 GMT
A great piece of writing. Perfeclty describes the Horse and all that he was about. Only a true Listowel man like Billy Keane could write such a passionate and accurate description of Tim.
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Post by FatTom on Dec 12, 2005 13:14:36 GMT
Brilliant piece fair play.
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Post by OnTheForty on Dec 12, 2005 15:30:31 GMT
Brilliant obituary by Billy Keane, choking back a tear in work reading it!! Great speech by Sean Kelly too. Both capture not just his on field exploits, but the essence of the man himself. Sounds like the man was highly respected by all because he stayed grounded, did not allow his success or status to go to his head, and stayed loyal and true to his roots.
For such a hard and physical player, in a physical position, never to be sent off, says volumes about the way he played the game. Was there ever a 'harder' or better half back line than Paidi, Kennelly, and Tommy Doyle? Heery/ Barr/ Curran, or Coyle/ Harnan/ Foley were just dirtier, but would be blown aside by that Green and Gold line. Not sure though how often they lined up in that formation before Paidi reverted to his position of corner-forward terminator.
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Post by cowpuncher on Dec 12, 2005 20:58:57 GMT
Fabulous article, from heart to pen. Well done. Rest in peace 'Horse'.
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Post by thehighfield on Dec 13, 2005 2:22:50 GMT
Lads (and Lassies),
What can you add after an article like that. Well done Billy Keane, that's a fantastic tribute for Tim.
May he rest in peace.
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Post by matchspy100 on Dec 15, 2005 14:23:04 GMT
A true great...maybe didnt get as much credit as jack o shea, john Egan..but he wont be forgot in the kingdom
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Post by starguitar on Dec 22, 2005 16:29:42 GMT
a great man, my deepest sympathy to the family, may he rest in peace
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