In loving memory of Irn Bru

by Guest Thu Feb 08, 2018 7:43 pm

My dear friend and the person I most respected on the internet and in real life, who stood up for his principles come what may, was laid to rest today. He never boasted about the wonderful things he had done in his life and never forgot his roots. He lost his grown up daughter at the beginning of last year and within a few months had been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Through it all he carried on supporting his family and his grandsons, one of whom is a Scottish amateur boxing champion who has just turned professional and been signed by Barry McGuigan and the other plays professional football. RIP my friend, you done so good.

by Andy Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:08 pm

Heartbreaking news. Irn was a champion of the underdog, was unfailingly polite , fair and decent.
The whole forum community should spend a moment reflecting on such a sad loss.

R.I.P. Irn. You will be sorely missed.

by Raggamuffin Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:31 pm

I couldn't believe when I saw this thread title. I knew he'd been poorly but I didn't know it was that serious. He was a lovely, gentle man, and I'm so sorry he's gone.

by Guest Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:41 pm

Angry Andy wrote:Heartbreaking news. Irn was a champion of the underdog, was unfailingly polite , fair and decent.
The whole forum community should spend a moment reflecting on such a sad loss.

R.I.P. Irn. You will be sorely missed.

He will, thanks Andy x

by Guest Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:44 pm

Raggamuffin wrote:I couldn't believe when I saw this thread title. I knew he'd been poorly but I didn't know it was that serious. He was a lovely, gentle man, and I'm so sorry he's gone.

Thanks Rags. We knew there wasn't much hope when he was diagnosed, his grandson has been keeping me informed. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word.

by Raggamuffin Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:45 pm

sassy wrote:
Raggamuffin wrote:I couldn't believe when I saw this thread title. I knew he'd been poorly but I didn't know it was that serious. He was a lovely, gentle man, and I'm so sorry he's gone.

Thanks Rags. We knew there wasn't much hope when he was diagnosed, his grandson has been keeping me informed. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word.

I feel really upset. He was always kind to me, and I can't believe we won't see him posting any more.

by Raggamuffin Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:53 pm

I didn't know he lost his daughter either. I bet he was a tower of strength to the rest of his family. A very sad loss for them indeed. I know you were good friends Sassy, so you must be devastated.

by Guest Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:54 pm

Raggamuffin wrote:
sassy wrote:

Thanks Rags. We knew there wasn't much hope when he was diagnosed, his grandson has been keeping me informed. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word.

I feel really upset. He was always kind to me, and I can't believe we won't see him posting any more.

He's been my friend for a long time now, I can't believe we won't be swapping ideas and running our forum. I lost heart in ES very quickly when I realised how sick Irn was, I simply don't care about it with him gone, it was something we planned together and had all kinds of ideas that will never see the light now. I'm reallly gutted.

by Guest Thu Feb 08, 2018 8:55 pm

Raggamuffin wrote:I didn't know he lost his daughter either. I bet he was a tower of strength to the rest of his family. A very sad loss for them indeed. I know you were good friends Sassy, so you must be devastated.

I am, thanks Rags.

by nicko Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:10 pm

That's a shame sass, I liked him. He was always polite to me. RIP.

by Ben Reilly Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:17 pm

by Tommy Monk Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:24 pm

sassy wrote:My dear friend and the person I most respected on the internet and in real life, who stood up for his principles come what may, was laid to rest today. He never boasted about the wonderful things he had done in his life and never forgot his roots. He lost his grown up daughter at the beginning of last year and within a few months had been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Through it all he carried on supporting his family and his grandsons, one of whom is a Scottish amateur boxing champion who has just turned professional and been signed by Barry McGuigan and the other plays professional football. RIP my friend, you done so good.

I am saddened to hear of his passing... during the recent few years that I have had the opportunity to 'meet' him, chat/debate with him, and get to know him on these forums, he very quickly won my respect, and has always been a pleasure (and I feel a privilege) for me whenever we have engaged in conversation/discussion here and elsewhere online!

I'm sure he will be deeply missed by all who knew him... a top man!

by Andy Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:29 pm

Green from me Tom.

by veya_victaous Thu Feb 08, 2018 9:55 pm

That's Terrible news, My condolences to his family Sad

by eddie Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:20 pm

I really liked Irn, I posted with him and moderated with him a couple of times over the years.

I’m so sorry that he’s gone. Truly. I feel really saddened by this news.

My condolences to you sassy as his friend and to all his family.

by Vintage Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:22 pm

So sad to hear of this gentleman's passing.

by 'Wolfie Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:29 pm

So, so sad...

I knew it couldn't be too good, when we hadn't heard from him in so long..

It was Irn who emailed me with this sites address all that time ago, telling me that he and sassy had found a "new" and promising site to check out.

He will be deeply missed by a wide and varied range of people who encountered him on these forums..

by Guest Fri Feb 09, 2018 12:03 am

Sad to hear. He was one person I constantly locked horns with and got into many rows with. But he will be sorely missed. I will miss the bouts we had. My thoughts go out to his family.

May he rest in peace

by Syl Fri Feb 09, 2018 1:15 am

Very sad news.
Irn was always a very kind gentleman to me, Im so sorry he has gone.
Sympathies sent to you Sassy, and all his good friends who will surely miss his kindness.

by magica Fri Feb 09, 2018 1:25 am

It's always sad to hear of a passing on forums, of posters.

I was shocked to see this.

Be at rest now Irn.

by @lex Fri Feb 09, 2018 1:47 am

Deepest condolences to you, Sassy. What terribly sad news.

Irn was a lovely man, and a true gent.

by Cass Fri Feb 09, 2018 1:55 am

How heartbreaking. I’m so very sorry Sassy.

He was a lovely, funny, thoughtful gentleman.

When Death's dark stream I ferry o'er
(A time that surely shall come),
In Heaven itself I'll ask no more
Than just a Highland welcome

RIP Irn x

by Original Quill Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:25 am

I'm stunned. Irn was one I thought (I wished) would go on forever. I knew he was ill, but I can't imagine our gang going on without him. We will, of course...but god we will miss him.

Look at me, Irn. Hear me. I miss you and I love you brother. Musselburgh will never be the same. We will never be the same. Have a good journey.

by Fred Moletrousers Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:59 am

I am both shocked and deeply saddened at this news. My sincere condolences to Sassy and to his family. I knew that he was ill, but I had no idea that his condition had been so serious.

In truth, our paths had crossed very little of late. We had our scraps in the past - over the ever toxic subject of politics, naturally - but I like to think that there was no real rancour, certainly no hatred...and perhaps even some deep mutual respect which, with the hindsight of advancing years and a recognition of one's own mortality, could and should have been expressed somewhat better and more frequently.

RIP Irn Bru. If there is a rainbow bridge in the world of forums, I'm sure that our paths will cross again.

Moley

by HoratioTarr Fri Feb 09, 2018 10:29 am

sassy wrote:My dear friend and the person I most respected on the internet and in real life, who stood up for his principles come what may, was laid to rest today. He never boasted about the wonderful things he had done in his life and never forgot his roots. He lost his grown up daughter at the beginning of last year and within a few months had been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Through it all he carried on supporting his family and his grandsons, one of whom is a Scottish amateur boxing champion who has just turned professional and been signed by Barry McGuigan and the other plays professional football. RIP my friend, you done so good.

Deepest condolences. Very sad news.

by JulesV Fri Feb 09, 2018 10:47 am

I am very saddened.
Rest well, Irn. x.

by JulesV Fri Feb 09, 2018 10:50 am

There is literally NO ONE on the internet whom I respected as much as I did Irn Bru.

His fierce principles were on display for everyone to see. NO COMPROMISE.

I feel very privileged to have known someone like him.

by Eilzel Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:04 am

Seriously sad news. First exchanged posts with Irn back in 2010 (in Sky's infamous UK Politics section) and we got on well right away. We shared a similar outlook on most things and I admired how strongly he always stood by his principles. When we did disagree, our arguments always remained civil.

Mainly though, he was just an outright nice guy.

You'll be missed, Irn x

by Syl Fri Feb 09, 2018 12:20 pm

I didn't really know Irn very well, but this clever cartoon he took the time to draw and post shows what a lovely thoughtful man he was.

"I'm a bit late but a belated happy birthday to you Syl. I had planned to have a present for you based on one of your favourite pastimes and worked ny socks off preparing a surprise for you but it all went wrong. The drawings and specifications were a bit misleadeding. I'll work on it for next year. For what it's worth here's how it turned out..."

In loving memory of Irn Bru Canoe10

by nicko Fri Feb 09, 2018 12:52 pm

I like that !

by eddie Fri Feb 09, 2018 2:05 pm

A typical Irn sign-off for the night....

In loving memory of Irn Bru 0504ae10

Goodnight Irn x

by Guest Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:32 pm

eddie wrote:A typical Irn sign-off for the night....

Goodnight Irn x

That's a lovely thought.

He would have loved all the comments, thanks to everyone.

Hey Irn, the Universe is now your playground, have fun pal.

by eddie Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:46 pm

Yeah and that Scottish football team still suck Irn. We argued over that for at least a decade.

I’ll never change my mind!

by Guest Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:53 pm

Like i say, you never know how much you will miss someone, until they are gone. Irn, was like my arch enemy in debate. At times it got out of hand, more so with me, but our passions always run away with us. You had two people who researched well and were at odds with each other on many issues.

I will really miss him. More so, because he made me challenge myself and at times emotionally compremised me. To the point i was a dick to him. It shows he was the better person between us. I just will sorely miss him.

One thing we shared and love was 60's music and know more than anything, he will look down and smile at this tribute song I now play for him.

In true Scottish form

by eddie Fri Feb 09, 2018 8:59 pm

Nice post x

by Guest Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:35 pm

This is so sad -he wasn't very old and had two young son's or grandsons' didn't he ? Lost for words he was a nice person .

RIP xx

by Ben Reilly Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:19 pm

I just can't write anything. I just posted a song, because that's the best I can muster.

by Guest Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:23 pm

Ben Reilly wrote:I just can't write anything. I just posted a song, because that's the best I can muster.

Because its sad to lose someone we know.

What is more important is how we remember how they lived

He fought for his beliefs on things I did not agree with at times, but never pulled back on his punches.

I think the best way to remember people, is to celebrate how they lived

He would not want you to be down

You keep their memory alive, but remebering how they lived, even at the expense of me.

I am not shamed of that

by Ben Reilly Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:50 pm

You have a really good heart, Didge.

by Original Quill Sat Feb 10, 2018 4:13 am

Ben Reilly wrote:I just can't write anything. I just posted a song, because that's the best I can muster.

You don't need to write anything, Ben. Now he feels you...what's in your heart. Just pour a little love out. In loving memory of Irn Bru 2089010162

by Raggamuffin Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:38 am

There are some lovely posts on this thread. Looking back, it was obvious that he was very ill, and yet it doesn't seem possible that he's gone.

I think I felt instinctively that he was a good person, even though I didn't know him personally and I knew very little about his personal life. I hope he knew how well respected and liked he was on here.

by Syl Sat Feb 10, 2018 1:16 pm

Raggamuffin wrote:There are some lovely posts on this thread. Looking back, it was obvious that he was very ill, and yet it doesn't seem possible that he's gone.

I think I felt instinctively that he was a good person, even though I didn't know him personally and I knew very little about his personal life. I hope he knew how well respected and liked he was on here.

from me because that exactly how I feel.

by Original Quill Sat Feb 10, 2018 5:32 pm

Irn was always the grown-up in the room. He exuded confidence, but was never abrasive.

by Andy Wed Apr 11, 2018 5:15 pm

Last night I received an email from an old and much missed forum mate, Joy Division. As he rarely posts on forums these days, he was unaware of the sad passing of Irn Bru until yesterday.

He has asked me to convey his utter heartbreak and sincere sadness at this news, and if anyone (Sassy?) has contact with Irn's family could they pass on his condolences.
I have suggested that JD rejoins this place and the other site a few of us frequent (not flop).

by Guest Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:09 pm

I had no idea he had died. Shocked

I certainly didn't know him as well as some of you but spoke to him a few times (i think it was electric sky) and the previous forums

he was never rude that i can remember and seemed very good humoured.

in fact, quite the gentleman.

I'm sorry sassy - I know you were really fond of him

my condolences

by Andy Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:41 pm

Irn Bru will long be remembered as a gentle man as well as a geltleman, with strongly held beliefs which he shared strongly , but was never discourteous or nasty.