To the friends of Chris Newman at FoR3

[Becca_mezzo]

To my dad's friends,

I'm very sorry to let you know that my wonderful dad, Chris Newman, passed away last week after a major stroke. I know that he had made many lovely friends through this forum, and had enjoyed meeting some of you at concerts over the past few years. I will miss coming on here to see that he'd started some heated debate or was deep in conversation about a concert he'd been to or heard on the radio. He was so passionate about music, which was surprising as it wasn't a huge part of his upbringing - it was all self-taught. I'm grateful that he passed on this love to me, and am very sorry to not be able to join him at the proms this summer as planned.

When he was in hospital, I asked the nurses to keep Radio 3 on for him. He woke up during the Stile Antico concert and smiled when I asked if he could hear it.

If any of you are local and want to say goodbye, his funeral will be on Wednesday 30th May at 3pm at St Thomas's Church, Salisbury. Dad had requested Mahler 'Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen', and although I don't like recorded music in services, I think it only appropriate that one of his favourite singers, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, should sing it. If there is a heaven, I hope they bumped into each other at the gate.

With best wishes,

Becca Newman

[amateur51]

Oh Becca I am so sorry for your loss and ours too.

He was a wonderful member of this forum - wise, generous with his knowledge and observations, enthusiastic about recent concerts and about those from decades ago, extremely kind and above all great fun.

I doubt that I shall be able to get to the service but I'll make a note of the date & time and think of you all.

My condolences and best wishes go to you and your family, and to those of us here who valued his membership of this forum and who will I'm sure remember and miss him greatly.

Chris Newman

[french frank]

Becca

I'm dreadfully sorry to hear that news. Please send our condolences to all your family. He was such a wonderful contributor here, an impeccable member, and a lovely man. I feel personally very affected having had much to do with him over recent years,

Thank you so much for letting us know.

Best wishes

ff/Sarah

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

may i second these messages of condolence and tribute to Chris

[aeolium]

Terribly sad news. I greatly valued his contributions on this and the BBC boards and his knowledge and enthusiasm will be much missed.

Condolences to all the family and to those who knew Chris.

[Mahlerei]

Very sad. Chris's posts were always worth a read, and his ready wit will be sorely missed. Condolences to all his family and friends.

[salymap]

Becca, I am so sorry to hear this. Only early today I asked another poster i f he had news of Chris as I saw thathe hadn't been on the Message Boards since the 3rd May.

He visited Hornspieler in hospital over a year ago and between us we kept his Troovi site going. I greatly admired your dad's paintings, too, and still have several on my favourites. Then recently he posted so well on the William Golding thread and often finished his messages with BWS, which was his code for the school.

I am more sorry than I can say and shall miss his wise words and sense of humour that rather matched mine

I am very sad for the family and although I never met him I feel I have lost a real friend. I am 82 and unable to attend on 30th but I shall be thinking of you all.


Pamela

[DracoM]

Sad news and best wishes to you all.
He was a very valued member of this community.
Ave atque Vale.

[Curalach]

Dear Becca,

I count myself as one of Chris' many on-line friends and am deeply saddened by your news. This forum will be a poorer place without his warmth, good humour and musical knowledge. Although I live in Scotland we had helped each other out on a few occasions and had exchanged a number of phone calls. We had agreed that the next time I visit my brother in Salisbury we would meet for coffee and a chat. Sadly not to be.

I can only offer you and your family my sincere condolences.

With all good wishes,
Iain Sinclair

[ahinton]

My condolences to you too, Becca. I did not know Chris personally but always enjoyed his contributions to this board.

[Don Petter]

I'm very sorry to hear this. Thank you for letting us know.

His posts were always gentlemanly and a pleasure to read - we shall also miss him. Our thoughts are with you.

[Stillhomewardbound]

Becca,

I'm very sorry for your loss. French Frank describes your father's presence on these boards very well. He was indeed an esteemable presence on here with impeccable manners.

I'll bet he did find himself in the same lift upwards as DFD.

I'm sure it will be a very special service and it was very kind of you to let us know.

With best wishes,

Stillhomewardbound / Stephen McKenna

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Deeply saddened and moved by your news, Becca.

Condolences to you and the family.

EOS/Dave Kent

[Serial_Apologist]

I once messaged Chris asking if he were the same Chris Newman whose music I had heard on Radio 3, and he replied to say no he wasn't, but he would have liked to have been!

I would think he brought a lot of happiness and good cheer to those around him, and certainly he always lightened the mood on the forum.

Please accept my condolences, Becca.

[Nick Armstrong]

Oh Becca I am so sorry for your loss and ours too.

He was a wonderful member of this forum - wise, generous with his knowledge and observations, enthusiastic about recent concerts and about those from decades ago, extremely kind and above all great fun.

I doubt that I shall be able to get to the service but I'll make a note of the date & time and think of you all.

My condolences and best wishes go to you and your family, and to those of us here who valued his membership of this forum and who will I'm sure remember and miss him greatly.

Chris Newman

I echo the above wholeheartedly.

Sympathetic thoughts and best wishes to you.