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Thats so sad to hear...i thought he could be better and come back to us....RIP Gary.We all here surely will miss you

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

I've been thinking (a rare enough occurence). I think Gary was one of the longest serving members with a post count in the thousands so was also one of the most active.

Some kind of commemoration or tribute on the site would be very welcome. I was browsing thru the forums and then it struck me. Would it be possible to rename The Hospital Forum (his favorite stomping ground) something like the Gary Roland Wing or something like that as a lasting tribute ? It would certainly be an indicator of just how much he tried to help people.

Silly idea ?

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Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.

Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

Thats not a silly idea..thats a great idea...i think we all agree about that.

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I know human beings and fish can co-exist peacefully.

That or the Water Quality forum... He helped countless people in both.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

But a Short Time to Live

Our little hour,—how swift it flies
When poppies flare and lilies smile;
How soon the fleeting minute dies,
Leaving us but a little while
To dream our dream, to sing our song,
To pick the fruit, to pluck the flower,
The Gods—They do not give us long,—
One little hour.

Our little hour,—how short it is
When Love with dew-eyed loveliness
Raises her lips for ours to kiss
And dies within our first caress.
Youth flickers out like wind-blown flame,
Sweets of to-day to-morrow sour,
For Time and Death, relentless, claim
Our little hour.

Our little hour,—how short a time
To wage our wars, to fan our hates,
To take our fill of armoured crime,
To troop our banners, storm the gates.
Blood on the sword, our eyes blood-red,
Blind in our puny reign of power,
Do we forget how soon is sped
Our little hour?

Our little hour,—how soon it dies:
How short a time to tell our beads,
To chant our feeble Litanies,
To think sweet thoughts, to do good deeds.
The altar lights grow pale and dim,
The bells hang silent in the tower—
So passes with the dying hymn
Our little hour

~Leslie Coulson



You will be missed Gary. Thank you for sharing your endless wealth of knowledge, and for keeping us on our toes May you rest in peace. To Gary's family, may the recalled memories of years gone by bring a ray of light in this dark hour. God bless.

><>Dani<><

Last edited by gartenzwerfe at 03-Feb-2005 02:12

Well, I was sure hoping for a miracle as was everyone else. Fishprofiles.com and the hobby as a whole have lost a valuable asset. My deepest sympathy and heart felt condolences to his friends and family.

Gary still lives through his teachings. Pass them on.

I couldn't agree more. His mission was to pass along his knowledge to those who were uninformed. It is now our job to continue to pass along the knowledge that we all learned from him.

In these situations words are always just pale reflections of the true feelings...

Gary, rest in piece, you will not be forgotten

I would some how like to think that Garys lessons would never be lost. I am sure they wont with all use to pass them on but i was just think is it possible that Adam can find all those write ups that Gary used to post so often? and pop a colum in the Articles called Garyolands Lessons or Garyolands teachings or Garyolands Collections something like that anyway and pop all his articels in there for everyone to learn from even the new comers. He taught so many people that i feel it would be a nice thing to do have his own little place on the site and his teaching would sure to go on forever or as long as this site is able to run. What do you all think? Do you think Adam would agree to this? Can he find all those lesons? or are they lost forever? I hope not? Who ever is close with Adam could prehaps ask him? Adam can Garyoland have his own coloum please?

http://www.greenspersonalprinting.com/

I am quite speechless.

The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde

I don't know what to say....

R.I.P Gary.

I would just like to say thank you once again with helping me out.

RIP Gary.

Thank you so much for helping me when I had fish problems. Once you got to know him you realised what an amazing person he really was. You will never be forgotten my friend.

In desperation to get some treatment going for my little frontosas he once sent me some Stresscoat. (Couldnt find any here at the time)

I'll give the baby a hug for you.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

I agree...A section devoted to gary's threads would be a wonderful tribute to a man who gave so much to us all. It would be a fantastic way of continuing to share his knowledge. Few have contributed to this site to the extent Gary did.
James.....

R.I.P gary, you will be missed by many.




Anthony.

Judy emailed me.

I want his guppies rescued. They are so nice. And there are lots of babies in there.

While gary was a big part of fish profiles, we cannot continuously hold on to this sadness. We should, instead, celebrate his life and what he did, not only for FP but for his family.

While these avatars are are great for this time, we must also eventually give them up, as not to constanly hold on the loss itself. However, I think that there should be something to honor his life here on the site. With all the mentions there have been of it, I can only imagine that Adam is planning something.

Just imagine what gary would want from this. Would he want us to constanly cry over it or be glad that he shared part of his life, his hobby, and his wisdom with us?

I can imagine that if here were here right now, he would say, "I do all that hard work for you guys, and all you do is cry about it?"

Also, why don't we give Judy a rest? We're bombarding her with all this stuff we are going to do. While it is great that we are coming together as a site for one good cause, Judy may need some time to herself. Imagine yourself in the same situation, if you lost someone so near and dear to you. Woudl you want people constantly bringing them up?

Last edited by Racso at 03-Feb-2005 06:16

Oh gosh.

Never did I expect to come back onto the boards to hear of his passing.

Although Gary and I never really saw eye to eye, I really wished I'd have taken the time to know him better. Over the past few months I'd been warming up to him, realising that his way of caring, was indeed his dry humor - and it did make me laugh.

Although I've seen alot of people come and go - He's certainly one of the few thats gonna make a BIG dent in the effect of the fishkeeping community. Not just at fishprofiles, but in the world of aquaria as a whole.

Rest in Peace Gary. You're up there with the Lord now, happy as can be. Hope to see you when I get there.

*tips hat*

-- Lisa (who trys so hard not to cry - but just can't help herself)

I have renamed our little clown loach (tiny Tim) that we where so worried about, and Gary advised that he might not make it.

He reminded us that natural selection is non existent in the modern fish trade, and sometimes you might get a lil fella that is just not right.

Tiny Tim (garyroland) has not grown since Gary helped us with him, but he has become one of the most active fish in the tank. When Jamie called upon Gary for help she was actually having to float the lil bugger around the tank to keep him moving.

After Gary gave us the advice that he will most likely die, he too showed strong will (like Gary) and refused to give up.

R.I.P Gary, I know you gave one hell of a fight!

I was off the board for a couple of weeks at the end of Jan./beginning of Feb., and just found out what happened.

I literally have tears in my eyes.

Farewell, Gary. You'll be missed more than you'll ever know.

OMG

I haven't visited for a while- rarely posted because most of my questions had already been answered
I used to check in daily- and always looked first for Gary's posts and appreciated his advice and dry humour.

Very saddened to learn of his passing-as far as I am concerned- there are many wonderful people here- for me the site wont be the same without him
Deepest sympathies to his family
Catherine (from Australia)

Terrible news........

Sending my deepest regret for garyoland........may u R.I.P and enjoy having ur fishes elsewhere.

I left this site for quite a while, and when I came back, the first thing I started looking for were some good 'ole Garyroland posts. I always enjoyed his articles... I have many Private messages from him helping me out with my fish. My prayers go out to his spirit and his family.

My deepest sympathy to Gary's family. I knew him for a short while (dry wit alright ).
Sorry im late in replying, i've only just seen the thread.
I think the best we can do for the family right now is let them be.This happened to my brother 18 months ago... a breakdown later, it's only now that i can except this happening to my Bro. So please give the family space. Its all we can really do.
Rest easy Gary..

Yep, Di... Roland was his middle name. I was surprised to discover that when he went 'missing' once before. I was busy searching the net for any reference to Gary Roland in Florida and all I could find was a band called Gary Roland and the Land Sharks! When our Gary returned he explained that Roland was his middle name... but he never did reveal his last name.

By the way, I rather like that the subject of this thread is 'Garyoland'. It's a bit like the Aron/Aaron thing on Elvis' headstone. Has Gary really left the building?

"Roland" was his middle name?

Gary R. Moorhouse

R.I.P Gary
My prayers go out to a passionate person who will be missed

I got a feeling theres a whole bunch of 'clockprofiles' members that miss him dearly too.

And how about that watch and clock collecting thing? That was the surprise to me! You'd think he would have mentioned it...

Thank you Shannen. I figured he was in his 60s roughly from the times I've chatted with him but thought him closer to 50s than 70s...At least there is someone above to take good care of those tanks. Heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

The strangest thing is, I didn't know he was 67 ... I somehow figured he was around mid-40's, a couple of years older than me ... strange the mental images you have of someone on the Net you've never seen. I had this image of an athletic guy in a safari suit fresh from fish collecting in Papua New Guinea or somewhere whenever I pictured him!

Perhaps he'd like that thought while he's strumming on his harp and telling God that he needs a bigger tank for those Clown Loaches ...

And, I think they could at least have mentioned the phrase "avid fishkeeper" in the obituary. Still, can't have everything. Sigh.



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Yeah... it does make it a bit more real seeing that obituary Ferret.

I knew he was in the newspaper business at one time but I really expected to see that he had done a stint in the military as a drill sargeant or something.

Gary had a powerful personality. The type that isn't likely to be forgotten any time soon by the people he crossed paths with. I bet that is what he would have wanted too.

Most people don't know what clown loaches are...

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

How come they didn't mention his Clown Loaches????

I know what you mean ferret fish, literally in black and white. i am just gutted to see it like that, my heart goes out to Judy.

GFG



_______________________________________
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.
Harvey S. Firestone

He always told me that Roland was not his last name...when I called him Mr. Roland.

We miss you Gary.

Wow...that kind of made it real...



[hr width='40%'][font color="#000080"]"I know that you are something special, To you I'd be always faithful
I want to be what you always needed, Then I hope you'll see the heart in me"[/font]


-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Obit

Shannen attached this image:

A Webster's Entry for Gary? Hmm.

Direct, forthright, spoke his mind, much respected. More or less sums him up nicely.

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I dunno about crusty

Headstrong maybe?

He was never wrong, he just changed his mind

Drove me crazy!


I still log in expecting him to have answered something you know


For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

It would be:

"A crusty old man with a dry sense of humor that touched the lives of thousands."

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They shade the glow of it with their mossy-misty costumes,
They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver,
So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.

I have been feeling reluctant to log on for a while now. If I believed in such things I would say this was the reason!

I don´t think I ever agreed with Gary on a single topic but I always enjoyed reading his wiew on things. I can´t really say that I´ve learned a lot from him either but he has started me thinking about a lot things and I do already miss him.


Gary - if there are something beyond and you are able to see this from there - thank you and goodbye from your swedish friend...


P.S. What do you all think Websters definition of Garyroland whould be? D.S.

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So here I am once more...

Will miss him, liked him.

Last edited by kitty163 at 11-Feb-2005 16:03

Just caught up with this.

Why does this have to happen to the good guys?



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Thanks for all the advice, Gary.
I know you're in the best place to be now.

I will miss Gary and his abbrasive humor (it was always funny as long as it was not directed towards you). I will miss Gary being there for my Ick and Clown Loach questions. I will miss Gary's water quality articles, his contemptuous cynicalness of the management and moderators, and as much as he griped about the newbies giving false information... he was always one of the first people to help out for certain types of questions, especially to the newbies. I will miss his sarcasm to babel, draino and disbelief of aquarium salt.

I find it interesting that the "skinny clown loach" that he said would probably die (natural selection) is now fat and thriving... perhaps Gary's skeptisism gave him the strength and will to get better. Perhaps I shall change his name from Tiny Tim to LiL' Gary in memory of Gary Roland. Although all of us in our own way didn't always agree with Gary, he was well respected and definetly a force to be reckoned with. He will always be in my heart and thoughts. I'm glad I was able to have been apart of THE GARY ROLAND EXPERIENCE. Rest in peace Sir Gary, rest in peace, and look after my fishies...

Last edited by ~jamie~ at 05-Feb-2005 20:15

His last topic was about where his 3 year award was. I wish it could only have coninued to be 4, 5, 6 and many many more years.

I agree, either rename the Hospital Forum to The Gary Roland Hospital Forum or whatever or rename the MVM award after him, I rember reading a post about MVM and he was having a go at people for not giving it to him in his awesome way! I loved it! Great person and now a great loss.

GARY RULES FOREVER

I agree with Perky.

I am greatly relieved that he did not linger in pain and suffering and that the end was fast. His spirit is now free to continue its journey towards the Source with all the love expressed here, and everywhere he touched, following at his heels.

-------------------------------------------------
I like to think that whoever designed marine life was thinking of it as basically an entertainment medium. That would explain some of the things down there, some of the unearthly biological contraptions

"...be glad that he shared part of his life - his hobby - and his wisdom with us..."
Despite Gary's dry humour and dour responses, he really did care about other fishkeeper's 'trops', and cared enough to make the effort to try and relay his knowledge through his many years of experience. His mission was often a thankless one, but in his absence we certainly appreciate what he did bring to the site.
I feel sure that he is aware of the ripples resonating through the membership here on FP following his departure. Peace, Gary!

Just another quote from Judy that I thought you all might find touching. I know I did.

Every time I come out here to the computer room and see the fish it is a reminder of him and how much he enjoyed being friends with people from all over the world.

This is from my second email from her. God bless her soul!

Belive it or not. Her style of type is just like Gary's.

wow, this is all a bit unreal. i didnt know gary, and i wont pretend i did just because hes gone. but i always read his posts when i came across them. if for no other reason than because when he thought u were wrong, he let u know it. and if u got upset with him about it, he would come at u that much harder. and i respect people like that. but whether u agreed with him or not, its obvious he touched alot of people on this site. now a bright light is suddenly blinked out. i cant imagine tho, how grateful his spirit must be to see u all pulling together to help his family. its truely awesome. and i think many of now know that from here on, we CAN NOT take any member for granted. basically, what Callatya said will become a profound truth. that we are not just words on a screen anymore. we are people. if u can take nothing else away from this experience, please remember that. we may have our petty differences but in the end we are all here for one unifying reason. we love this hobby and we want to share it with others. thats why im here, thats why ure here, and that is why gary was here. and im glad to share the experience with all of u.
my prayers for garys wife, family, and all the fp members.

I am saddened as well. Though Gary and I traded some words, his posts were always beyond entertaining and informative. I am shocked by the loss of Gary as much as everyone else here.

I received an email tonight (Thurs, Feb3rd) about the happenings. My condolences to his family.

Gary A.MacDonald

truly sad news. His legacy on this site continues on with each and every fish he helped people save from sickness and poor health.

I'm sitting here at work almost crying, and I never even met the guy. Even though he disliked tiger barbs, he was more than helpful helping me get rid of my blue-green algae. Darn it. He had such a way of being grumpy without being rude...

Wow...this is absolutely terrible. I don't post much in the recovery room and when I finally do visit this is what I read. I was wondering why I hadn't seen him post in a while. This makes me realize how precious life really is and how easily it is to take normal every day events for granted. Everyone should take this to heart and be sure that you tell your friends and family how much you love them because you never know how much longer they or yourself will be around. God bless Gary and his family and they are in my thoughts and prayers......

As said how come happy endings only happin in story books? sorry im about to brake the rules but if god loves as that much why does he let stuff like this happen? (sorry)]:|

Sorry Darryl. It's just this little thing called life. It has to end sometimes. As much as it sucks it is just the way it is.

*hugs*

but if god loves as that much why does he let stuff like this happen?

He needed someone to care for his clown loaches

For those who believe, there is something much better on the other side.

I had a 17 year old cousin die of testicular cancer - the same kind that Lance Armstrong has thus far defeated. I went through a crisis in my own faith at that point. Then, 3 days after he died, I had a dream. There was a fog and I could sense a presence and ask, "Who's there?". My cousin appeared and with his characteristic thumb's up, he said, "Hey Di! This is Great!!!". That was always Chris' expression for something he liked. I awoke fully recalling every detail and said to myself, "Kid, I wouldn't take it from you." From that point on, I've never had another crisis of faith.

I had a 22 year old friend who had a heart defect too. They had zapped him 12 times trying to get him to hold on in time for surgery. In between those he said to his crying mother, "Mom, sometimes God needs young people too." He died a few hours later.

With life comes death. It sounds like Gary and Judy were faithful people when she exclaimed, "Gary went to be with our Lord.".

I'm sorry but we can not allow this thread to go down the religion path it is now.

I know the words are comforting ones to many but please respect our rules.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

i will name a spuncky little betta after him, i learned alot from him from the few times we chatted u would never have guessed his age, he was a true gentalman, and he will be missed greatly :#( what a truly awful event

FishyHelper, I am with you in this one. I am going to name one of my clowns after Gary. He would often give me tips about what to feed them.