His Final Crusade

[medicmichelle89]

Dear Knights and Knightesses,

I come to you today with a heavy heart to inform you of news. My father, CoinCrusader42, aka Gary Burke, has completed his final crusade. My family, many of which are members here (my mom, daughter, son, and perhaps my brothers), lost Papa on Thursday night, March 18, 2010.

This forum and his many, many numismatist friends meant the world to him. I used to work nights, and we would talk very late. Almost invariably he would tell me he was on the forum ... he loved you guys. He was proud to a member (and he loved that low member number - 2). Papa got the opportunity to meet a few of you and communicated/traded coins with many of you on a regular basis.

My father was an incredible man - to know him was to love him. Know that each of you played an important role in his life -- he so valued the time he spent on this forum. For that, I thank you.

Papa - until we are together again - I am so proud of you and I love you!

Michelle

[AdamL]

I'm so stunned and saddenned right now that I don't know what to say. All I can say right now is that I'm really sorry, and you have my deepest condolences. He will be missed by alot of people.

[Paint Your Wagon]

I never met him face to face but I knew him better then my neighbours

He was a good person and he will be missed by me .

August

[Templar]

THERE IS NOTHING I CAN SAY THAT WOULD CONVEY MY FEELINGS........MY PRAYERS FOR HIS FAMILY .........AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AROUND THIS CASTLE..........

  YOUR SAD SERVANT AND FRIEND......THE TEMPLAR

[Pocketcoins]

Your family will be in our prayers. I would like to say something but any thing I can think of seems so inadequate at this time. He will be surely missed.           
                                        David

[TwoShadows]

Words cannot express what we have lost and what I have lost. It is people like Gary Burke who keep the finer qualities of mankind alive in this very complex world. Most of us come here to escape the realities of that which surrounds us on a daily basis. He was always here giving that which most of us dearly need. Lending an ear, sharing his knowledge and being the friend we all dreamed of having. He may have carried the number 2 but in our hearts he will always be a number 1.
I lost a family member in the last week so I know what the Burke family is going through at this time. I regret that all of us cannot be there to show our deepest respect to someone we have all learned to love and cherish. I consider myself one of the lucky ones as I had the priviledge to meet Gary and Pat last fall as they drove through Indiana.
Thank you Michelle for your posting in this very trying time. We share your tears. 

[Nevol]

MY sincere condolences to Pat and family in their time of sorrow.  Sir Gary will be missed by all of us.

We do indeed share your tears.

Vale Sir Gary!

[Nighthawk]

I am so sad to hear of your loss. Your father was a good friend, and even though I never met him face to face, in my mind he was a true gentleman. Folks like him are hard to find. Your family will be in our prayers.  God bless you.


John & Cheryl

[edix]

How sad.

[Triggersmob]

I cannot hold my tears back as I read this.
Although I have never even met Gary, he was a true friend.
He helped me to grow my U.S. coin collection like nobody else and we traded many times.
I have been wondering if there was something wrong for over a month now.
Gary was always on KOTCT forum posting, but he has been absent lately.
My condolences go out you and Pat and the rest of the family.
This is a very sad day.

 

[ElleKitty]

I have no clue what to say in times like this.  It is a loss indeed to those of us left behind and Gary's presence on these boards will be sorely missed.

I can only pray that he is at peace and has found happiness as the reward for this last crusade.  Our CoinCrusader was a true knight in every sense of the word.

[longnine009]

He was a wonderful man and a model Knight! R.I.P Sir Gary.

[RgGoodie]

Gary was a man among men and a friend to all
I am pleased that I could call him friend.
My sympathy is expressed to his family and to all who knew him.
He and his family will be in my families prayers.
rggoodie
Richard

[Humpybong]

My sincere condolences to Pat and family.

Gary will be missed by all of us here at KOTCT.

He was always ready to give a hand....now he rides off into the sunset dressed in his shining armor, on his white charger, to his final quest.

We will miss you Sir Gary.

[Topher]

He will be missed, but not forgotten.

[EgCollector]

My sympathy and sincere condolences to Sir Gary's family.

You will be missed

[Madspec]

I also wish to express my condolences and prayers to the family.
He will be missed by all the people whose lives he has touched and that number is great.


Your memory will live on forever.


With great respect
Madspec

[minky]

Although I didn't know Gary well I can tell by the calibre of the members who are hurting so much that he must have been a truly wonderful man, so generous of himself ...there are too few people like that left...
may his gift of memories sustain his family and fellow knights

[Muckeye]

Goodbye old mate, gone but not forgotten.
Your family's sorrow is no greater than mine.
A prayer at bedtime tonight..
regards,  Muckeye and Gizmo.

[Tobyle]

I'm sorry - I am at a total loss for words at the moment .......

[Nevol]

Services will be Thursday March 25 at 10:00 AM.

Taylor Funeral Service
800 Palmer Street
Delta, Colorado 81416
Phone: 970-874-9988

[scottishmoney]

My sincere condolences on this loss.

[TwoShadows]

I/We will have to get MedicMichelle's address and telephone number. I have Gary and Pat's address and number (some where in my pile) but would like to have Michelles as well. If anyone has that information I would appreciate you forwarding to me. Thanks!

I have read and re-read so many posts these past few days which makes me so proud to be a part of this great group of individuals. It seems this forum all started about coins but we have gone way beyond numismatics. It feels like family and at times like this, it hurts like family!

[GregK]

[Yass]

I've just returned from holidays to this very sad news.  I offer my most sincere condolences to Gary's family.  He will be greatly missed.

[mila]

I have just learned of this news yesterday and I am in total shock and speechles.
My sincere condolences to the entire family.

mila