Gary Austin Fly Safe

[M MAKI]

Totally lost for words..? God Speed Gary!

[RMAllnutt]

If only Gary could have known, properly, how many people really cared about him, and how many lives he'd touched in small, and large ways.... 10 pages in this thread in just a few hours, and even people posting who've been away a long, long time. I read every posting too... but part of what I have also been doing is going back over the enormous thread on Ol'927.... all 209 pages of it. It surely is a testament to Gary's profound impact on the world he loved. I found comfort in that, in re-reading those posts... He was a very good man, and we are the poorer for his passing.

All the best Gary...

Richard

[SparrowV12]

Gary truly was a great guy as well as a good friend. I too had just recently spoken with him and had no forewarnings of the storm he was suffering. I knew of his issues, but had no idea of their depth------so very sad for someone who has given so much, but still had the ability & desire to offer more. God Bless you Gary. My thoughts and prayers are with Gary and his family.

Mike

[Punisher05]

Just got on for the first time today...like everybody else, I'm floored.

I don't think I've even had any real contact with Gary, but I've seen his influence and enjoyed his posts. His attempts to save the F-101 were valiant...and the Stratolina brought a lot of grins.

What a guy...RIP Gary.


Brandon

[groundpounder]

My sincerest condolences to Gary's family and those of you that knew him personally. I considered him to be a role model in the warbird world , and certainly someone to be looked up to. I never met the man, but from the vast number of postings, and the constant communication with wix members, it was obvious that he was loved by many and respected by all. I truly do feel saddened by this news. So much help was so close by. Such an unnecessary tragedy.

[Old SAR pilot]

Really shocked by this news.

Gary was a good man to work for on Ol'927. An artisan, if you will.

Gary, ol' son,
May clear skies,
A calm sea,
And a following wind be with you,
On your voyage..

[The Inspector]

Mere words fail me at this moment. Along with Warbird kid, I'd never met the man but had a great appreciation for his off beat sense of humor and his dedication to what others saw as just so much junk.
I know our entire community is in shock over this turn of events, when you lose a fellow like he was, it hurts every one of us

Fly safe brother-

[engguy]

I'm in tears, I had talked to him some years back on the phone. And was going to call him this week about some of the stuff he had for sale.
Very sad sad news.

[Dave Homewood]

This is tragic news. WIX has lost one of its finest members and will never be the same. We'll all miss his input greatly.

RIP Gary

[BenG]

Very sad to hear about Gary lost. We'll greatly miss his contributions to the WIX forum.

Blue skies

[Rauhbatz]

Gary and I were swapping some WIX emails just a few weeks ago about Red Nose...a great guy.

I hope he is having breakfast with Don Hinz, Tom Barnes, Chris Smission and Dick Ford right now...


St. Ex once said "...friends are like trees. They give us a place to gather and talk about the world. Once they are gone we miss their shade".

[Steve Nelson]

This is just horrible!

I never met Gary, and never had any real conversations with him (other than a question or two he answered on various threads) but he is directly responsible for my being on WIX. I found this forum when someone posted a link on a modeling board about the Ol' 927 thread. I followed that thread and was constantly amazed at Gary's dedication and creativity in returning her to her former glory. His name really needs to be on that airplane somewhere..maybe a RetroAviation sticker next to the CAF Tramp Stamp. Or perhaps the old girl herself can serve as his living legacy. I have to admit, I thought the Kilroy thing on the stab was cheesy when I first saw it, but now I think it definitely needs to stay there!

Despite limited resources, this Gentleman managed to do to rescue aircraft from oblivion than most of us ever dream of.

Blue skies, Gary. I don't think I'm overstating things to say WIX has lost one of its finest members.

Steve Nelson

[Oscar Duck]

Mr Positive indeed. Always trying to do the best for all.

All the words won't bring him back but let his deeds be an incentive for us all to take a deep breath, think of him, and move forward postively and happily together.

RIP Gary

You led the way in humanity in my opinion.

[spookyboss]

RIP
Gary

[PJ]

Very sad news. The WIX has lost one of the most interesting members ever. Safe journey, Gary.



PJ
PV-2 Harpoon "Hot Stuff'
www.amhf,org