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RIP MacNutt

136K views 431 replies 137 participants last post by  talonracer 
#1 ·
Hello everyone,

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but our favourite bull headed scotsman, Gerry MacNutt, died in a freak accident this past weekend. I'dve posted something sooner, but I literally just found out when my mother phoned me from Salt Spring asking if I knew a guy named MacNutt.

Apparently he was photographing a motorcycle drag race (as he often talked about doing) and one of the bikes flew out of control and struck him.

Here is the story on the local Salt Spring newspaper:

<blockquote>
A high-powered motorcycle flew out of control and claimed the life of 50-year-old islander Gerry MacNutt while he was photographing a sand-drag race in Lake Cowichan on Sunday.
“He was a photographer and he liked to get the picture,” said MacNutt’s friend Marve Brimacombe, who witnessed the incident. MacNutt was standing on the edge of a 100-metre sand track near the finish line and taking pictures of the race when a rider lost control of his motorcycle, Brimacombe said. “The bike was veering and instead of jumping one way, he jumped the wrong way.”

According to a press release from the Lake Cowichan RCMP, MacNutt received immediate medical attention from first-aid attendants for numerous injuries after emergency services were called to Meades Creek Sand Drag Track at 12:38 p.m., but he succumbed at the scene. Both MacNutt and the motorcycle rider were members of Brimacombe’s Mental Racing Team that participated in the sport of sand-drag racing with 350 horsepower-plus, nitro-methane fuelled Harley Davidson motorcycles. “Gerry loved being around the nitro bikes and the filming of everything,” Brimacombe said.

read more here: http://gulfislands.net/news.asp?ID=1603
</blockquote>

I really don't know what to say. I didn't always agree with the guy, but I got along with him pretty well. I'm just kind of in shock.

I hereby invite everyone to raise a glass for Gerry MacNutt; 1956 - 2006. RIP.
 
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#102 ·
I just talked to Bruce on the phone and expressed my (and all of our) condolences for their loss. I also let him know how to find this thread and what kind of response it was getting. He seemed understandably sad, but also somewhat comforted by the number of people who have called to express how sad they are about Gerry's passing.

Apparently there is going to be a memorial on Salt Spring but they have not set a date as yet.
 
#104 ·
PB, thanks for the effort.

Keep us posted.
 
#106 ·
Others have said it all before, but I'll miss Gerry's ability to make me go, "Hmmm." Though I often disagreed with his political stances, I always admired his well-thought-out positions, even if they were designed to prick and irritate one's own comfortable preconceptions.

I'll be sipping a wee dram in his memory when I get home tonight. Perhaps the best indication of his true impact on everyone here is the obvious and large hole his passing has already left in our collective soul.
 
#108 ·
Macnutt joined ehMac just over 4 years ago, and it's been a good 4 years. Gerry was most definitely a bit controversial figure with his penchance for anecdotal posts it made the feeling very friendly. I know I'll miss him, and did notice his absence the past few months while he's been busy with his water business.

I always wanted to meet Gerry and held out hope he'd be able to make it to an ehMac: Calgary meet that he helped create interest in. We owe you a toast in your memory our next meet.

To you Gerry, and your unstoppable faith in those around you, I salute you. You will be sorely missed.
 
#109 ·
The most important aspects of life are how you live it and whether you make a difference. In the microcosm of electronic life on this board, MacNutt made a difference and lived life hard and fast. His participation on the ehMac board had declined over the past few months, his business was doing well and he at last had politicians in power he respected. In many ways, he left this earth at the top of his game. Too soon, by far, but hopefully without suffering and with adrenaline in his veins.
 
#110 ·
A most fitting epitaph, Jim. Gerry would have agreed with you on this one.
 
#111 ·
PosterBoy, should you get to this memorial service and if it is outside, leave a small stone near the grave site or near the service. It is a Jewish tradition to leave a stone on the headstone when you visit such a site. Since I shall not be able to be there, I would appreciate you doing this for me. You could softly say, "A rock from The Rock". Gerry would understand and approve, knowing how he felt about Newfoundland and Labrador, and the people he met from here. Trust me on this point. Merci, mon ami.
 
#113 ·
.....











I dont know what too say

MACNutt you will be missed.
:-(
 
#116 ·
Rest in Peace, MacNutt.

I honestly have no words. :(

We'll all miss you dearly.
 
#118 ·
I just got home from work and I'm speechless. One of saddest days I can remember.

Rip Gerry, I enjoyed (most) of our time together on ehMac and wouldn't trade one second of any of it.

I'm better for having known you! I'm more patient! (You'll get that one)
 
#120 ·
While I don't agree with everything everyone says here, I know we all come with two joys we all share: using Macs and being Canadian. And while I have not been on this message board long enough to get to know each and everyone of you, I have learned a lot about most of you.

MacNutt, while I didn't share a lot in agreement on, I truly respected is conviction and his passion. I don't necessarily have to care about what you care about, I just have to know that you care about something, and that you respect my ability to do the same. And I got that sense with Gerry greatly. Where ever you are my friend, you left an impression with this kid.

As for the rest of you. The comments, the sharing, the loss. It's a testimony to everything I like about this place. Humanity. And caring. When you can put down the swords, and share in the loss in a moment like this, it makes me proud to be a part of this community.

Sometimes in loss, we gain something too.
Thank you for that Gerry.
 
#121 ·
Wow. I had to read through this thread entirely in order to convince myself it was true. It's still shocking. One day you don't even have the slightest worry about someone's life, and then the next day it could turn upside down into a tragedy. One day you have the feeling, "Hey, we're friends. I haven't met you, but we're friends." The next day you are thinking, "I've lost a friend. A friend I've never even met. Yet I'm saddened over the loss." That's how this feels.

I've never really been around long enough to know MacNutt, but I've read his posts and exchanged words with him over iChat numerous times. Last I talked to him was May 21:

g5macnutt: Is the forum pretty busy these days?
appleauthority: sort of, generally the same old topics however
g5macnutt: Everyone settled back down now after the election?
g5macnutt: That was a high traffic period, as I recall
appleauthority: well, there are still some rumblings, but for the majority, yes.
g5macnutt: Then they've accepted it.
appleauthority: yeah
g5macnutt: Good. had to be tough for some of them.
appleauthority: yeah
appleauthority: not for me, however
g5macnutt: Me either.
g5macnutt: Think I'll drop by there and check it out. If I can remember my password...
Rest in peace, MacNutt.
 
#123 ·
I'm so shocked ! Like many others, I too thought it was a joke. I really liked MacNutt. I remember a couple years back, someone new to the boards asked if any of us knew MacNutt because he was buying something from him & wanted to make sure he was reputable. Everyone piped up saying what a great guy he was & MacNutt was so touched! :)

I remember about a year ago, I didn't see any posts for him & got all worried he had left the boards for good.

I'll sure miss him. :-(
 
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