FORUM MEMBER: thecraftyleek RIP 1974-2020 donate.minder.org

[jno]

It is with much sadness that I have to announce the passing of my twin brother David, who many of you on the forum will know as fellow forum member thecraftyleek.

Always positive, he had been bravely battling cancer for just over a year and aged 46, was taken from this world far too soon.

Growing up, we'd often watch a lot of TV together, we went to school together, he was my bandmate and being my twin, was pretty much there every day of my life for the last 46 years. He was a keen historian and very talented musician and always enjoyed coming to this forum. Obviously, I can't write 46 years of memories in a single post, but all I'll say is, he was a great guy, and everyone liked him. 

At times like this it is difficult to know what to say other than perhaps something he said to me recently:

"They made not find a cure for this in my lifetime, they may not find one in your lifetime, but they will find one".

Cancer is a cruel disease that affects so many people in so many ways. Throughout the last year, Macmillan Cancer Support went that extra mile to help my twin brother out of the many difficult places he found himself in. I will be eternally grateful for the help they gave him when he needed it most..

Macmillan Cancer Support provide physical, emotional and financial support to help people live life as best they can in extremely difficult circumstances.

I hate asking people for money, but if you want to help people out, especially those helping other people out who need it most, please feel free to make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support, even if it's a quid, it doesn't matter, if you want to do something positive today, go here:

www.macmillan.org.uk/donate

When this pandemic ends, it is my intention to organise a charity concert, raising money for Macmillan in his honour at a pub in South Wales.

Cheers

jno

[fordcapri]

Jun 4, 2020 7:09:58 GMT jno said:

It is with much sadness that I have to announce the passing of my twin brother David, who many of you on the forum will know as fellow forum member thecraftyleek.

Always positive, he had been bravely battling cancer for just over a year and aged 46, was taken from this world far too soon.

Growing up, we'd often watch a lot of TV together, we went to school together, he was my bandmate and being my twin, was pretty much there every day of my life for the last 46 years. He was a keen historian and very talented musician and always enjoyed coming to this forum. Obviously, I can't write 46 years of memories in a single post, but all I'll say is,  he was a great guy, and everyone like him. 

At times like this it is difficult to know what to say other than perhaps something he said to me recently:

"They made not find a cure for this in my lifetime, they may not find one in your lifetime, but they will find one".

Cancer is a cruel disease that affects so many people in so many ways. Throughout the last year, Macmillan Cancer Support went that extra mile to help my twin brother out of the many difficult places he found himself in. I will be eternally grateful for the help they gave him when he needed it most..

Macmillan Cancer Support provide physical, emotional and financial support to help people live life as best they can in extremely difficult circumstances.

I hate asking people for money, but if you want to help people out, especially those helping other people out who need it most, please feel free to make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support, even if it's a quid, it doesn't matter, if you want to do something positive today, go here:

www.macmillan.org.uk/donate

When this pandemic ends, it is my intention to organise a charity concert, raising money for Macmillan in his honour at a pub in South Wales.

Cheers

jno

This is sad and terrible news.  Very sorry to hear it.  Condolences.  

[Wynn Chester]

Heart felt condolences to you, your family and close friends at this sad time Jon... RIP David  

[Arch Stanton]

I only met David one weekend at a Minder Meet.
I remember I wasn’t formally introduced to him and instead he approached me at the bar and the first thing he said to me was in asking me where his drink was and why it was taking so long, because being a twin he looked a lot like jno who I was buying a drink for. Naturally I didn’t fall for it but it set the tone.
A lovely bloke. Really funny and easy going. A good laugh.

Along with his wife he gave me a lift from the pub we were in, back to my Premier Inn at the end of the evening.
That night he’d played guitar and we spent the journey back to my Prem Inn deconstructing the playlist of the songs he’d played that night and we had very similar views on music.
So strong were our shared opinions the others in the car didn’t get a word in edge ways.


I find it’s hard to put into words genuine, heartfelt, condolences.
It always seems trite, like you’re going through the motions.

Here goes though:
Absolutely tragic and upsetting news. Particularly as he seemed to be responding really well last year. So young.

jno you need me, you know where I am.
Just be strong for those that need you.

R.I.P. David.

[barrythebook]

Terribly sad news.

I had some good laughs reading craftyleeks posts and learnt from them as well, he was an intelligent guy.
We had some good exchanges on forum and seemed to share views on several subjects.
Thoughts are with you and your family Jon at what must be a tremendously difficult time.

R.I.P. The Craftyleek.

[daz]

Extremely sad news to read.

I didn't know the guy and had never met him, but his posts were always worth reading and he came across as a genuinely intelligent guy who sounded like he packed a lot into his 46 years.

When you read about someone the same age as you passing at such a young age, it does bring home that life is far too short.

Gorffwys mewn Hedd David

[gustav]

He was a really great guy who I was privileged to call a friend. He will be much missed. You can tell what kind of a person he was by the posts he made on this forum which were, by turns, witty, intelligent, insightful, knowledgeable, full of interest. He did pack a lot into his life which is something to be thankful for and because of that he was someone who made a difference whatever he did. Deepest sympathy to jno and all the family in their sad loss. I know David will be remembered with tremendous affection by everyone who knew him.

[harryshand]

Sorry to hear that jno. Sending my condolences.

[Albert Wendell]

I'm very sorry to hear this, I had no idea that thecraftyleek was your brother. My condolences to you and your family at this extremely difficult time.

[ltd]

So sorry to hear this jno. Like Albert above I didn't know thecraftyleek was your brother. Always enjoyed his posts. My condolences to you and your family. Absolutely endorse what you said about MacMillan - they do a splendid job.

[winchesterclub]

Yes many condolences jno and i hope the spirit of the Forum can and will continue without him

[gra966]

Very sorry to hear that R.I.P

[ontheslate]

Condolences to you and your family jno

[McCann]

Sorry to hear of your loss jno.


I just realised thecraftyleek was the lad up in Portrush. I was sure we would meet up someday.

We had a good bit of chat here and he sure seemed to enjoy his time on the forum this last few years.

[plasticpenguin]

Jun 4, 2020 7:09:58 GMT jno said:

It is with much sadness that I have to announce the passing of my twin brother David, who many of you on the forum will know as fellow forum member thecraftyleek.

Always positive, he had been bravely battling cancer for just over a year and aged 46, was taken from this world far too soon.

Growing up, we'd often watch a lot of TV together, we went to school together, he was my bandmate and being my twin, was pretty much there every day of my life for the last 46 years. He was a keen historian and very talented musician and always enjoyed coming to this forum. Obviously, I can't write 46 years of memories in a single post, but all I'll say is,  he was a great guy, and everyone like him. 

At times like this it is difficult to know what to say other than perhaps something he said to me recently:

"They made not find a cure for this in my lifetime, they may not find one in your lifetime, but they will find one".

Cancer is a cruel disease that affects so many people in so many ways. Throughout the last year, Macmillan Cancer Support went that extra mile to help my twin brother out of the many difficult places he found himself in. I will be eternally grateful for the help they gave him when he needed it most..

Macmillan Cancer Support provide physical, emotional and financial support to help people live life as best they can in extremely difficult circumstances.

I hate asking people for money, but if you want to help people out, especially those helping other people out who need it most, please feel free to make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support, even if it's a quid, it doesn't matter, if you want to do something positive today, go here:

www.macmillan.org.uk/donate

When this pandemic ends, it is my intention to organise a charity concert, raising money for Macmillan in his honour at a pub in South Wales.

Cheers

jno

So sorry to read this jno.

R.I.P. thecraftyleek

[felixdeburgh]

Totally floored by this news and I don’t really know what to say. Heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

RIP David - you will be missed.

[chopper]

I am so sorry to hear this terrible news Jon, my thoughts are with you all at this difficult and sad time.

[westldner]

That's shocking and such unexpected news, huge condolences to you and RIP to thecraftyleek. I am sadden by the announcement.

Edit: Like many, i hadn't known he was your brother!

[chrisclark1977]

My condolences to you, jno. When it is a family memeber, it really does hit home big time.

[Shot By Both Sides]

Can only echo the heartfelt responses. I was a bit shocked as I felt sure David had quite recently replied or quoted one of my posts. 46 is no age. It angers me when I think of bad people who live to 90 and cancer can steal the life of a person who deserved better.

[Twin2]

I am so very sorry. I can only echo the thoughts posted so far and add me to the ones that had no idea that you were brothers. The David-shaped hole in your life will take a lot of adapting to so be kind to yourself. This grown-up lark really isn't all it's cracked up to be sometimes.

I hope you don't think it inappropriate but I'd like to share a scripture with you so please find comfort in Revelation 21:4 "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”.

[bodiesstuntdouble]

Dreadfully sorry to learn of this jno and like a number of other people I too didn't know David was your brother.

RIP Sir

[jjmolloy]

Deepest sympathy to you and your family. May he rest in peace.  

[pr1]

Sorry to hear this. My condolences to you and your family.

[jno]

Thank you for all the kind words of support here. It really does help a lot to read them.



If anyone here lives near Newport/Cwmbran South Wales nr the M4, please feel free to come along to the charity memorial gig, which will be on a weekend (as soon as is possible after corona virus nonsense is behind us) as it's the ideal opportunity for a forum meeting too.

As Arch Stanton will confirm, this can be a lot of fun, and Arch is always welcome to come back to South Wales ... particularly as they sold more pints on that night than they did the rest of the year.

[swainy]

Really sorry to hear this mate. My thoughts are with you.

[lockup]

Condolences jno. No age at all. RIP.

[brinylonshirt]

Very very sorry to hear this jno. Sympathies to you and family. May he rest in peace.

[coyote]

So sorry jno, 46 is no age and as others have said there are no words... Great sympathy to you and all your family.

[kusumkangguru]

Sorry to hear this news, jno.

My sympathy and thoughts to you, your family and to all of David's friends.