It is with great sadness that tonight I have to report that one of our very first members, John Helps has died at the age of 56.
Many of us will have our own special memory\'s of this kind, quiet man who was a huge Rotary fan and quietly worked away as a pioneer in the U/K with his 3rd Gen perfecting water injection and proper ducting of air for his car and other mods years before anyone else, but most of all anyone who came into contact with John knows that sadly the world has lost a true gentleman
Josie Medforth (one of Johns three daughters) has informed us that everyone who knew John is more than welcome to attent his funeral which I believe is to be held on Friday this week. Josie has passed her mobile telephone number on for more details, her number is 07814 171380 which is posted on other Forums.
Donations to Diabetes and/or MSPCC.
Bizarrely John\'s name came up in conversation over a few beers when we were at the Nurburgring the other week, as he was one of the pioneer Ringers for us in RX7s - many people will have seen the video of John writing off his MR2 down Schwedenkreuz at the Ring - which of course led to him getting his RX7 as a replacement back in 2000/01.
We knew John was ill and had been for a long while now, but had of course hoped to see him again at the workshop where he\'d spent many hours over the last 5 years with us. He was a lovely guy to have around.
Clive really has summed John up perfectly - he was a true gent, a lovely guy and a priviledge to have met - and also a real Rotary fan. Personally, I spent many hours at FDUK/MRC events and in pubs chatting to John since meeting him some time in 2000 I think. A really lovely guy who I really had hoped to see at the Ring again one day...
From me, Geff, Chris and Max at RE:Worx, rest in peace Mr Helps. We\'ll toast you in the Pisten Klause next we are out there mate :)
Rich
Shocked to hear the news - he was such a humble guy. My thoughts are with his family.
Kevin
Such a wonderful guy and a true gent - very rare these days.
My thoughts are with his family.
Gary
Was talking about john a couple of weeks ago, he was one of the first Rotary guys I met on my first Le Mans trip in 2000. A keen Ringer as said and was what inspired me to make the trip. A sad lost to a true gent.
Really sorry to hear this news.
I remember sitting down with John in a pub somewhere, and he pulled out Datalogit Manual and said Glenn - do you want to help me with this?? :) You could just tell John was super keen.
I have quite a few old emails to and from John dating way back to late 2001, he was a great entrepreneur for the rotary in the UK.
A TOP MAN!
Many condolences to John\'s family.
Can\'t believe this. I was only thinking the other day, "I wonder what happened to John Helps?" Really nice guy, I remember him from the early FDUK meets we used to have at Brands Hatch. I think his \'ring crash vid was one of the very first \'ring vids I had, way before I\'d even met him. So sorry to hear this news.
Steve
I am very sad to hear this news.
I Remember when I first met john quite a few years ago now on a leMans trip.
We all had a really great time,and many hours of tech talk.
John to me was allways the "Quiet Acheiver", we often had long chats about ideas for his car,many of which were implemented and it is probably one of the most well developed cars still running a stock engine.
You will be much missed John.
Our sympathy from all of us at Hayward Rotary to the family.
Kind regards
Carl
Truly sad. You just had to love the mean black car with ridiculous camber roaring up, and then JOHN getting out... One of the good guys.
Very Sad. Condolences...
To those who are not sure if they met this great gent, here is a pic of him.
(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/danny.fisher310/Pictures/John.JPG)
Fish
Hi,
Josie (one of Johns daughters) has extended an open invitation to all Johns friends to attend his Funeral on Friday 11th August.
Here is a quote from Josie\'s email...
QuoteYou are very welcome to attend the funeral. It is on Friday, 13:30 at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium, Balcombe Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 3NQ. The wake is being held at the Red Lion in Betchworth. You can find directions on how to get there at //www.redlion-betchworth.com
My Dad always talked about his cars and his car clubs,It was a very important part of his life.
Josie also asks anyone who is planning on attending Johns Wake to kindly get in touch with her to let her know so the catering can be adjusted for those who will attend.
Josie\'s email address is josiemedforth [at] yahoo.co.uk
Si.
Hi,
Josie (one of Johns daughters) has extended an open invitation to all Johns friends to attend his Funeral.
Here is a quote from Josie\'s email...
QuoteYou are very welcome to attend the funeral. It is on Friday, 13:30 at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium, Balcombe Road, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 3NQ. The wake is being held at the Red Lion in Betchworth. You can find directions on how to get there at //www.redlion-betchworth.com
My Dad always talked about his cars and his car clubs,It was a very important part of his life.
Josie also asks anyone who is planning on attending Johns Wake to kindly get in touch with her to let her know so the catering can be adjusted for those who will attend.
Josie\'s email address is josiemedforth [at] yahoo.co.uk
Si.
The very first person with whom I spoke from FDUK, whilst waiting for Henning to end his conv, John saw me looking lost and started to natter, since that rainy day at Santa Pod I\'ve seen very little of John yet he has the demeanour and presence of a true gentleman, that of which I would aspire to be!!!
My deepest condolences to Johns family, a great man from person to post and a true inspiration to any home fry!
I dont think i ever met John,
But deepest regrets for not doing so, he sounds like a true gent and will be sadly missed, hope the funeral goes well.
Gurj
Have added a new thread, please read
http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=264366#post264366
Here is a picture taken of John and his car tken from my car at speed while we were on our way to Le Manns in 2002
Thoughts go out to his family