Page Of Remembrance

[Limbo 6]

In Memoriam

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Some people hold their jar of life couragely high and greatly enjoy

gulping down its content. And Jacques, one of the most flamboyant and

outspoken expats of Chiang Rai, was one of them.

With a certainly becoming pride he was looking forward to celebrate

his 70th birthday in January. A milestone; It would have been the cork

on the bottle holding the fulfillment of his life. He was ready for it.

He may be forgiven for leaving us four months earlier.

I met him a couple of days before he passed away.

He was sitting in a little establishment at the Yedyod Road, enjoying

an evening beer. The conversation with the lady sitting next to him

was probably not what you would call splendid, so he was really

happy to see me showing up.

Contrary to his usual presentation he spoke little and soft.

As if he had realized that there was nothing to add anymore to

everything that had been said already. Words seemed to have become

dust to him, useless to spread.

He seemed to be ‘waiting for Godot’, or for that invisible bus, knowing

that the moment of depart had come. Like an actor that stays on stage

for a while after the curtains have fallen.

It must have been seventeen years ago that his old friend Cor in

in ‘De Ouden Eik’, the tavern in The Hague where Jacques was standing

behind the bar one evening a week, informed him that they were

going to Thailand.

“I am not going to Thailand” he responded “I don’t even know where it is!”

Cor told him that it was absolutely not necessary to know as the only

thing to be done was to go to Amsterdam Airport. One week later the

‘Blues Brothers’ of The Hague took the plane, not knowing that they were

going to spend the rest of their lives in Chiang Rai.

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Jacques was corporal in the Dutch Air force. One of his responsibilities

was the management of the bar at an air force base close to The Hague.

But he was more than that. He was the kind of person that keeps strictly

hierarchical organizations from coming to a grinding halt by adding the

grease that harmonizes the parts and levels.

He was the jack-of-all-trades that kept things going smooth. He went on

but if necessary also under the radar to help his colleagues.

And he was appreciated for it:

When Jacques was going to enjoy his early pension a big party was given.

Not less than four air force generals came to pay respect to this corporal, the

head chaplain of the Dutch Army that later would become bishop was there,

the cleaning and administrative staff and the officers and men, all wondering

how life at the base would be ‘after Corporal Jacques’.

And now also for us this moment has come.

Friend or foe, to everybody of us the disappearance of Jacques will leave a vacuum.

He will be remembered by all who knew him.

Thank you Jacques, for the time you spent with us before you finally spread out

your own wings. Happy landing!

L.

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[jubby 43]

Nice words Limbo. And thanks for the photo of Jacques. I didn't realise I knew him until now.

he did seem to be part of the 'Chiang Rai landscape' for me. Saw him most weeks over the last fifteen years. Always a smile and a nod & a few words.

[woralak 9]

Nice words indeed Limbo,i also crossed paths with Jacques and didn'r realize it,i cant even remember exactly when but i used to frequent Yedyot Rd,mainly the Cat Bar or The coconut Bar and (certainly this year) i remember him,the smile the nod and his pleasent manor did kinda stand out so sad to here he has passed on,condolences to all family and friends.

[ChiefMonkey 10]

Harry Daniels (Dutch) 1st October 2010

[bifftastic 679]

just heard the very sad news that one of my neighbours in Thailand died last night.

Pi Lai was a lovely man, always smiling and happy, willing to help anyone with anything. He liked to practice his English with me and would try to teach me some Laos and Thai. When he discovered that I had no brothers or sisters, he said "Ok now you have one, Pi Lai!"

He was only about 35 years old and leaves behind a wife and 14 year old son. He died suddenly after complaining of a headache. He went to sleep and never woke up again!

I will always remember him, he brought happiness and laughter to many people's lives.

คิดถึงน้องชายแสนดี

[woralak 9]

just heard the very sad news that one of my neighbours in Thailand died last night.

Pi Lai was a lovely man, always smiling and happy, willing to help anyone with anything. He liked to practice his English with me and would try to teach me some Laos and Thai. When he discovered that I had no brothers or sisters, he said "Ok now you have one, Pi Lai!"

He was only about 35 years old and leaves behind a wife and 14 year old son. He died suddenly after complaining of a headache. He went to sleep and never woke up again!

I will always remember him, he brought happiness and laughter to many people's lives.

คิดถึงน้องชายแสนดี

Sad news Biff you have my sympathy, i know how it is you you lose a close friend.

[bifftastic 679]

Thanks Worra, much appreciated.

[sceadugenga 2,525]

Mr Albert Radford, my neighbour and a Chiang Rai resident of the past ten years passed away recently in the UK.

Albert was a regular around the city night-life with his wife Phin and could usually be seen sitting quietly in a corner just taking in what was going on around him.

He didn't have a lot to say but I never heard him utter an unkind word about anyone.

Sadly missed by his friends here, Chiang Mai and Pattaya.

RIP Albert.

[bifftastic 679]

Condolences to his family, always sad to hear of someone passing.

[mumbojumbo 7]

Chicago John (American)----RIP

[wileycoyote 155]

Condolences & deepest sympathy to family & friends

Wiley Coyote & Family

[villagefarang 13,930]

A visitor to the house yesterday told us that Ian, the Husqvarna dealer down Phayao way passed away last month. Last time I saw him he was excited about an all expense paid trip to Sweden for being the #1 seller in Thailand. Sadly I don’t think he got to make the trip.

[scorpio1945 106]

Does this ring any bells?

From the Morris (Illinois) Daily News

Mr. John Nelson Bermel, 70, of Chiang Rai, Thailand, and formerly of Newark and Morris, died Friday, Oct. 21, 2011, in Thailand.

John was born Nov. 17, 1941. He was a graduate of Newark High School.

Survivors include his sister, Joyce, and son, Blake of Texas.

[soap 201]

The sad passing of Robert Walker (Pineapple Bob)

Bob lost his battle with cancer today peacefully at home aged 75.

Bob was one of the first pioneers of expats to reside in Chiangrai over 30 years ago, he farmed about 50 rai

of now prime land opposite the Mae Fah Luang University.He will be sadly missed by family and friends

Rest in peace Bob

[soap 201]

Robert Walker (Pineapple Bob)

In accordance with Bobs wishes,he will be cremated at Watdongknongped,Muang Chiangrai

tomorrow Friday 3rd February at 2pm.

Directions

Head north on the super highway taking the slip road past Central Plaza ,take the left turn that is opposite the Sinthanee complex,(you must take the slip road otherwise you cant turn left off the super highway because of concrete bollards) the Wat is 50 metres along this road.