Farewell To One Of My Closest Friends

[Arthur Little]

Gordon Stuart Mackie, a retired Motor Mechanic died on June 1 ... the eve of his 71st birthday.

Friends since 1995, Gordon and I were almost "inseparable" ("joined at the hip" - as an ex g/f of mine used to jokingly remark!) at weekends when we "toured the 'Singles' circuit".

Not long after I last returned from the Philippines, he confided in me that, while I'd been abroad, he had been diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia - which though incurable - appeared to be slow growing and kept at bay; that was over 5 years' ago.

Alas in recent months, his condition deteriorated - to the extent that he was being hospitalised at regular intervals for lengthy chemotherapy treatment and passed away unexpectedly in Ninewells, Dundee last Sunday evening.

RIP, Gordon.

[Dedworth]

Sorry to hear you've lost a good mate Arthur

[les_taxi]

Sympathy to you Arthur. I lost 2 of my mates suddenly, one in 2004 and another 2006
Plus my mum died 2005.
Three tough years!

[Michael Parnham]

Sorry to hear such sad news Arthur!

[raynaputi]

My condolences to you Arthur.

[SimonH]

Sorry for your loss Arthur, only the good die young!!!!!


Happened to a very close friend of mine 5 weeks ago. He took early retirement as the managing director of Santander 8 years ago and did a lot of charity work. Was at mine for a BBQ on the Sunday then on Tuesday he was complaining of a sore throat, went for a lie down whilst his wife went to the shop and passed away whilst she was out.......... bronchial pneumonia

[Terpe]

Sincere condolence Arthur.

That's very sad. You're in our thoughts.

[Doc Alan]

Condolences at this sad time for you, Arthur.

[stevewool]

so sorry to read your news Arthur, memories is what we all leave,

[Arthur Little]

Sorry to hear you've lost a good mate Arthur

Yes, indeed, Ded ... I shall miss him!

[Arthur Little]

Sympathy to you Arthur. I lost 2 of my mates suddenly, one in 2004 and another 2006

Thanks, Les ... Gordon was the second of mine ... the first, Frank -
(a *taxi driver ) and a mutual friend of us BOTH - died in 2002 of a cardiac arrest while mowing his lawn, a few weeks short of his 65th birthday. So *you take care!

Plus my mum died 2005.

Sorry to read that ... mine passed away very suddenly in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at the end of Millennium Year 2000 - several hours after suffering a heart attack while she and I were visiting my daughter and son in law over Christmas.

Three tough years!

Yep ... I'll bet! Strangely, I went through a similar run of bad luck - having lost my dad from a (2nd) heart attack complicated by chronic emphysema just after New Year, 1989 - followed by the death of my first wife from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma less than 3 yrs later.

[Arthur Little]

Sorry to hear such sad news Arthur!

Thank you for your kind message of sympathy, Michael ... a sad loss!

[Arthur Little]

My condolences to you Arthur.

Rayna ... you've been "through the mill" in recent times with the sad passing of beloved grandparents, therefore your condolences are very much appreciated.

[Arthur Little]

Sorry for your loss Arthur, only the good die young!!!!!

Happened to a very close friend of mine 5 weeks ago. He took early retirement as the managing director of Santander 8 years ago and did a lot of charity work. Was at mine for a BBQ on the Sunday then on Tuesday he was complaining of a sore throat, went for a lie down whilst his wife went to the shop and passed away whilst she was out.......... bronchial pneumonia

How terribly sad, Simon ... and to occur while his wife was out at the local shop makes it all the more heart-rending. !

Please accept my sincere condolences ... you're right about good people passing far too prematurely.

[Arthur Little]

Sincere condolence Arthur.

That's very sad. You're in our thoughts.

Thank you, Peter ... I'm very conscious of the fact that you and Carina have each had more than your share of family bereavements in recent years, therefore your words of comfort are greatly appreciated.

[Arthur Little]

Condolences at this sad time for you, Arthur.

Thank you, Alan ... you've had your aunt's passing to deal with not so long ago. So again, your kind condolences are much appreciated.

[andy222]

You cant buy good friends Arthur. Condolences.

[Arthur Little]

so sorry to read your news Arthur, memories is what we all leave,

...

Yes, , Steve you're absolutely right about memories ... and I'll always have happy memories of my times spent with Gordon.

[Arthur Little]

You cant buy good friends Arthur. Condolences.

Spot-on as well, Andy ...

[grahamw48]

Sorry to hear of your loss Arthur.

Sometimes life can be shorter than we were anticipating. A sad reminder to make the most of every minute, while we're here.

[Arthur Little]

Sorry to hear of your loss Arthur.

Ah, Graham ... it's nice of you to say so ...

Sometimes life can be shorter than we were anticipating. A sad reminder to make the most of every minute, while we're here.

Yup ... too true!

[Tish]

Sorry for the delayed post but I just want to say sorry to hear of your loss Arthur

Tish

[Arthur Little]

Sorry for the delayed post but I just want to say sorry to hear of your loss Arthur

Tish

Thank you for your kind thought, Tish ... it's much appreciated.