Our friend, Vic, has passed away.

I’m so sad to have to tell you that Vic died yesterday, Tuesday the 2nd of February.

I received this message from his wife:

I am sorry to tell you after a short illness ******* passed away on Tuesday 2nd February. He contracted Hepatitus E. Its mainly got from pork or contaminated water. We still cant think were he got it from. Most folks dont know they have got it or recover. In hospital they discovered ******** had developed a suppresed immune system which meant he couldnt fight the infection off.
He was in a side room and the hospital allowed me to be with him on the last day.
I have our Daughter and her family in a support bubble with me and she has been a tremendous support.


He was a longtime forum friend of mine and was loyal to me to a fault. I met him only once when he came to visit us at our home....long grey beard and a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
I will really miss him so much.  

I have no words.

Devastating. One of the best people I’ve gotten to know through these forums.

Incredibly sad news, and such a shock.

He spoke about his life, his woodland, and his projects with such enthusiasm.
The pens he made were little works of art, and something you both will cherish I am sure.

Heartfelt condolences to his family.

RIP Victorismyhero. x

We never saw eye to eye, indeed we had many acrimonious spats, but that is very sad news.
My condolences to his family, and to those who knew him and regarded him as a friend.

Such sad news. Condolences to his family and friends.

Am crying writing this, as Vic was one of the best on here

My heart goes out to his wife, daughter and family

He will be sorely missed

Didgee wrote:Am crying writing this, as Vic was one of the best on here

My heart goes out to his wife, daughter and family

He will be sorely missed

I’m gutted Didge. He was such a protective and loyal friend to me over the years.
He always watched my back and had my back. It’s the reason I asked for him to be a moderator on here.

It’s a sad fucking day.

I heard on another site. Immediately came over here. RIP, Victor.

What a sad day. May he rest in peace.

Having never heard of hepatitis E, I had to Google it.

"Hepatitis E is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). HEV is found in the stool of an infected person. It is spread when someone unknowingly ingests the virus – even in microscopic amounts. In developing countries, people most often get hepatitis E from drinking water contaminated by feces from people who are infected with the virus. In the United States and other developed countries where hepatitis E is not common, people have gotten sick with hepatitis E after eating raw or undercooked pork, venison, wild boar meat, or shellfish. In the past, most cases in developed countries involved people who have recently traveled to countries where hepatitis E is common. Symptoms of hepatitis E can include fatigue, poor appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice. However, many people with hepatitis E, especially young children, have no symptoms. Except for the rare occurrence of chronic hepatitis E in people with compromised immune systems, most people recover fully from the disease without any complications. No vaccine for hepatitis E is currently available in the United States."

This was devastating news to wake up to, but thanks to Edds and Les for letting me know.

Here’s to you Vic. Long may you roar into eternity you grumpy big-hearted guy. I’ll treasure your friendship over the years and the gorgeous pen you made me

eddie wrote:

Didgee wrote:Am crying writing this, as Vic was one of the best on here

My heart goes out to his wife, daughter and family

He will be sorely missed

I’m gutted Didge. He was such a protective and loyal friend to me over the years.
He always watched my back and had my back. It’s the reason I asked for him to be a moderator on here.

It’s a sad fucking day.

I know Eddie and I have no words to comfort you here, he was like family

Even when I was a unbelievable angry muppet, he had ways of calming me and helping me see sense when I was going through crap. Sending me either emails or PM's, he was a voice or reason and wisdom

He would email outside this forum and allow me to reflect on my poor behaviour

 I looked up to him, because he better than most was able to reason why and how I could be wrong but most of all helped me listen

Really going to miss him and it really hurts he has gone

I have known the man online near 2 decades on many forums and hence why its like I have lost a father figure

Truly upset does not even begin to describe how much I respected the man

I will truly miss the many bouts we both had,

Sendingt you big hugs

x

How tragic. There's nothing I can say that anyone else hasn't said. To be taken like this with what might have been curable had it been diagnosed sooner. The problem with the liver is it's often too late by the time symptoms appear, that's why liver disease is so dangerous. Bless him. I feel for his family. How terrible for them.

There will always be a Lord Foul/Victor shaped hole at this site which could never be filled as you were a true one off, a colourful and imposing character.

The photos of your vast personal woodland are a collectors item. I admired your drive & your passion  for your woodland projects.

NF is in mourning!
Sleep well,  Victor.

I cant believe Lord Big Balls has died.

I really liked Vic, he was always fair.

I shall miss him but not nearly as much as you edds, I know how much you liked him when you were telling me about his visit.

please can you pass on all our condolences to his wife. so glad she has support

all the best Vic, I wish you an exciting new journey

xxx

I’m going to start collecting some of your tributes and thoughts from this thread and I’m going to personally hand write them in a card and send them to Vic’s wife.

I think she should know how loved he was on the forum.

Please edit your own posts above if you’d like to add anything more or leave them as they are.

I’ll be doing this in the next couple of days.

Nice idea Eddie.

Vintage wrote:Nice idea Eddie.

Seconded, it's a lovely idea.
He won't be forgotten.

eddie wrote:I’m going to start collecting some of your tributes and thoughts from this thread and I’m going to personally hand write them in a card and send them to Vic’s wife.

I think she should know how loved he was on the forum.

Please edit your own posts above if you’d like to add anything more or leave them as they are.

I’ll be doing this in the next couple of days.

Done! Made my post briefer.
Speak soon, all. x

I am truly shocked and saddened by this tragic news.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

I like to think that Vic and I had much in common, not only in some of our views and opinions but also in particular the sense of honour and privilege that we both felt in owning, or at least being lifetime custodians of, that most treasured of commodities, a bit of true English woodland.

I have followed Vic's many posts on this subject, and I salute him for all that he has done.

What you have created through your devotion and efforts, my old friend, will outlast us all and will pay tribute to your memory unto eternity.

Requiem aeternam.

I’ve been speaking to Vic’s wife, she sent this photo of him and his new granddaughter.
She doesn’t mind me sharing it.
He truly loved his family. His stepdaughter who’s been his daughter since aged ten, said he was “the best dad anyone could ask for, he showed my mum what love was and he was my best friend”

Vic was one of my favorite kind of people -- I could never quite figure him out. He was a true original, unpredictable, contrary at times, always of his own mind, always his own man.

He could attack instantly when his heart told him he needed to fight something that was wrong, and he had a real soft spot for my wife, who he defended against a lot of people who were slagging her off. He had a lot of time for the people he cared about and a wisdom about him that he used to comfort and guide those he took under his wing.

He had a boyish curiosity and a need, drive, passion to keep extending his abilities and see if there was anything he truly couldn't do. He drove a vintage Range Rover that he tricked out with advanced gadgetry in his retirement. He was always on to some new passion.

He was the forum pit bull, the righteous wielder of the ban hammer, his thirst for justice sometimes overwhelming him but always pointing him in the right direction.

He was one of a kind; they'll never make another one like him. He lived life deeply. He did it right and he's deeply loved and deeply missed.

Your respect and love for him shines through in that post Ben, it's a lovely tribute.

Eddie, thanks for letting us see his photo. It's a really lovely family pic, first thing I noticed was Vics  twinkly eyes,

Syl wrote:Your respect and love for him shines through in that post Ben, it's a lovely tribute.

Eddie, thanks for letting us see his photo. It's a really lovely family pic, first thing I noticed was Vics  twinkly eyes,

I cannot tell you how many times Vic had my back and protected me from things. How he tried to find a certain poster who hounded me constantly...how he would pm me if he felt I was upset over something.

He was my friend. I hope he knew how much I valued him.

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:Your respect and love for him shines through in that post Ben, it's a lovely tribute.

Eddie, thanks for letting us see his photo. It's a really lovely family pic, first thing I noticed was Vics  twinkly eyes,

I cannot tell you how many times Vic had my back and protected me from things. How he tried to find a certain poster who hounded me constantly...how he would pm me if he felt I was upset over something.

He was my friend. I hope he knew how much I valued him.

I'm sure he knew.

Syl wrote:

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:Your respect and love for him shines through in that post Ben, it's a lovely tribute.

Eddie, thanks for letting us see his photo. It's a really lovely family pic, first thing I noticed was Vics  twinkly eyes,

I cannot tell you how many times Vic had my back and protected me from things. How he tried to find a certain poster who hounded me constantly...how he would pm me if he felt I was upset over something.

He was my friend. I hope he knew how much I valued him.

I'm sure he knew.

Did he? Apart from my children I’m shit at letting people know how deeply I care.
I often called him a “grumpy old sod”.

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:
I'm sure he knew.

Did he? Apart from my children I’m shit at letting people know how deeply I care.
I often called him a “grumpy old sod”.

Yes he knew, and you actually wear your heart on your sleeve you know.....I have never met you and I worked that out long ago.

Syl wrote:

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:
I'm sure he knew.

Did he? Apart from my children I’m shit at letting people know how deeply I care.
I often called him a “grumpy old sod”.

Yes he knew, and you actually wear your heart on your sleeve you know.....I have never met you and I worked that out long ago.

I’m glad you can see it. I do doubt myself when it comes to showing emotion.

Thank you Syl x I mean that x

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:Your respect and love for him shines through in that post Ben, it's a lovely tribute.

Eddie, thanks for letting us see his photo. It's a really lovely family pic, first thing I noticed was Vics  twinkly eyes,

I cannot tell you how many times Vic had my back and protected me from things. How he tried to find a certain poster who hounded me constantly...how he would pm me if he felt I was upset over something.

He was my friend. I hope he knew how much I valued him.

I remember about a year or so ago, he posted something about not being here very much for a little while because he had a bit of trouble going on that he had to deal with... he didn't go in to any detail so I had no idea what it was about... But I PM'd him saying I would come up over to his area and back him up to help sort it out however was needed, if he wanted me to... Or any other way I could help.


And there really aren't that many people I would offer to do that for!


And considering I've never actually met the guy in person... That says quite a lot about the respect I have for him!

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:
I'm sure he knew.

Did he? Apart from my children I’m shit at letting people know how deeply I care.
I often called him a “grumpy old sod”.

which actually shows a familiarity and closeness between you

you spent the day with him and his wife IRL getting to know them even more

also, in reality you are quite open about your feelings

i agree with syl, of course he knew how much you cared about him

stop doubting yourself

xx

Absolutely terrible news,
Despite many disagreements he always had my respect, he was a good man and true to himself even on forums.

May the Gods bless his soul and those he loved

and thanks to Eddie for contacting me,

Poor old sod, so sad he will be missed

and of course he knew you cared I don't know how you could doubt that

veya_victaous wrote:and thanks to Eddie for contacting me,

Poor old sod, so sad  he will be missed

and of course he knew you cared I don't know how you could doubt that

Thank you Veya. It’s good to see you again. Truly.

Seconded!

Please see thread in “secure news”

Vic’s funeral is 1:45pm today.

Please can we all have a minutes silence to think of our dear friend x

He will definitely be missed on here

He is in his own paradise woodland now but i'm sure he would be well chuffed that his tribute page has raised over £700 for the one he supported here on earth.

Good to know

nice knowing you, vic

xx

gelico wrote:

He will definitely be missed on here

He is in his own paradise woodland now but i'm sure he would be well chuffed that his tribute page has raised over £700 for the one he supported here on earth.

Good to know

nice knowing you, vic

xx

I still cannot believe he is gone Gelico

I sat reminiscing all day about him and read back through personal emails we had

More with victor trying to reason wit me not to be a pain in the arse

I really looked up to him and he more than anyone helped me question

He was someone I truly admired

I am really going to miss him

Didgee wrote:

gelico wrote:

He will definitely be missed on here

He is in his own paradise woodland now but i'm sure he would be well chuffed that his tribute page has raised over £700 for the one he supported here on earth.

Good to know

nice knowing you, vic

xx

I still cannot believe he is gone Gelico

I sat reminiscing all day about him and read back through personal emails we had

More with victor trying to reason wit me not to be a pain in the arse

I really looked up to him and he more than anyone helped me question

He was someone I truly admired

I am really going to miss him

I know, didge

I shall miss his presence here and his wit and posts et al but honestly I wasn't really close like edds and some others on here. Clearly you had a fair bit of communication with him too.

The older we get the more people we lose from our lives but honestly I think that what you just said was a lovely, honest and hearfelt tribute to vic


stay cool, didge x

gelico wrote:

Didgee wrote:

I still cannot believe he is gone Gelico

I sat reminiscing all day about him and read back through personal emails we had

More with victor trying to reason wit me not to be a pain in the arse

I really looked up to him and he more than anyone helped me question

He was someone I truly admired

I am really going to miss him

I know, didge

I shall miss his presence here and his wit and posts et al but honestly I wasn't really close like edds and some others on here.  Clearly you had a fair bit of communication with him too.

The older we get the more people we lose from our lives but honestly I think that what you just said was a lovely, honest and hearfelt tribute to vic


stay cool, didge x

Thank you Gelico and you are right. As we get older we see more and more people we know and care about, depart from this life

Still, death can never take away the memories we have of the people now gone

They end up living on in the memories of us still here

We can sit back and cherish those memories, with laughter, sadness etc in the times we had

I think what you said is what we all feel. He is in his own paradise woodland now. Yet I think that we are all dancing together with vic in his woodland in our thoughts.

This is our paradise now we can share with him, in how we can remember him by

Stay gold gelico
x