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Post by trailboss on Dec 24, 2022 21:44:10 GMT -5
John Rockwell and his beautiful wife Cayla were the first ones to meet up with me when we decided to start the Arizona pipe club. It was a connection through pipesmagazine. We spent several years with just Me, john, Cayla, and username and Gary who came up from Tucson. We are approaching our 10th year, and the faithfulness and support to keep us going by these individuals has been quite remarkable. Since then our numbers have grown quite a bit where we approached 30 members at a meeting up until covid. After that we dwindled down, but we are back up to 20+ members, and the steadfastness of John and Cayla have always been an encouragement. It really isn't about numbers, it is about the quality of the individuals, and john and Cayla exceeded numbers. John is a Marine, lost a leg in civilian life and has battled obstacles that would challenge any of us...tough as all get out and cantankerous at times, but always a good guy to share a smoke with. John married up and as pipe smokers are prone to do, he married a gem! And Cayla is regularly at our meetings. At our last pipe club meeting where we disbursed the tobaccos and pipes that Rande Reed left us, we were notified that cancer had taken it's toll on our second club member on the same day....nothing related to the pipe in either case. I visited the home today, and John is in the last stage of life with hospice support and his faithful wife at his side. John's handle on this forum was JohnR and later rocket: thebriarpatchforum.com/user/1682I say all of this, to take stock of the season, and appreciate the time that you have... none of us have a guaranteed tomorrow.  |
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Spartacus
Junior Member
Posts: 457
First Name: Cliff
Favorite Pipe: Von Erck / Scottie Piersel
Favorite Tobacco: Escudo / Capstan / 5100 / Ramsgate
Location:
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Post by Spartacus on Dec 24, 2022 21:59:08 GMT -5
A sad time indeed! John will be missed. I always enjoyed interacting with him and trading tobaccos. I have some pipe tampers he made and gave me that I will always cherish.
Prayer to Cayla and the rest of his family.
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Post by username on Dec 24, 2022 22:22:42 GMT -5
I’m still at a lost for words.
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Post by Silver on Dec 24, 2022 23:53:14 GMT -5
Prayers sent for John, Cayla and their family and friends.
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Post by rectifythis on Dec 25, 2022 0:13:30 GMT -5
John is such a cool and knowledgeable guy. This is heartbreaking.
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Post by daveinlax on Dec 25, 2022 7:45:59 GMT -5
This is Very Sad News. I hope he is comfortable.
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Post by trailboss on Dec 25, 2022 16:38:49 GMT -5
A message from Cayla came today:
“ Hi Cayla here thank you for coming yesterday, last night all the kids here we did fireworks so he could hear and all even he got a shot of Irish whisky followed by a shot of Scotch Whiskey this am about 0430 he passed on quietly in his sleep he looked so peaceful and several years younger. Can you let the guys know. Thank you Charlie”
😢
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Rattlesnake Daddy
Full Member
Posts: 601
Favorite Pipe: Always changing
Favorite Tobacco: Peretti D-7485, G&H Mixture No. 25, Bayou Night.
Location:
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Post by Rattlesnake Daddy on Dec 25, 2022 21:55:55 GMT -5
I am sad to hear of his passing. My condolences.
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Post by darktater on Dec 25, 2022 22:09:35 GMT -5
I'm sorry for you loss, but his passing - surrounded by those who loved him and a couple of shots of whiskey sounds like a good way to go (to me).
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Post by trailboss on Dec 25, 2022 22:24:29 GMT -5
I'm sorry for you loss, but his passing - surrounded by those who loved him and a couple of shots of whiskey sounds like a good way to go (to me). He stopped drinking years ago as it caused problems for him in the past, but it seemed to be the elixir to help him move on. |
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Post by kbareit on Dec 25, 2022 22:34:58 GMT -5
I'm sorry for you loss, but his passing - surrounded by those who loved him and a couple of shots of whiskey sounds like a good way to go (to me). He stopped drinking years ago as it caused problems for him in the past, but it seemed to be the elixir to help him move on. Sorry for the loss of your friend. I told my boy when I'm on my death bed to get me a six pack of Sierra Nevada pale ale and I'll have a drink with him before I go. I figure if I behaved myself up to that point I have the right to a last one on my way out. |
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Post by zambini on Dec 25, 2022 23:57:20 GMT -5
Sad to hear
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Post by Silver on Dec 26, 2022 0:03:04 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear of his passing. I remember his short time with us in the Patch. Condolences to John's family and friends. RIP, Rocket.
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Post by username on Dec 26, 2022 0:23:40 GMT -5
Gone but not forgotten. He will live on in the memories of his family and friends. Rip John.
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Post by daveinlax on Dec 26, 2022 9:35:53 GMT -5
RIP John.
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Post by Darin on Dec 26, 2022 16:35:17 GMT -5
Very sad news this holiday season. I'll remember John and our many conversations fondly.
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Post by Goldbrick on Dec 26, 2022 16:51:33 GMT -5
Very sorry for his loss. Prayers sent for his family, and all those he touched.
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Post by username on Dec 27, 2022 19:23:04 GMT -5
I’ve had a couple of days for John’s passing to sink in and gather my thoughts. It was a honor to have called him my friend. Going to miss the way his face would light up when discussing his favorite blends and his epic mustaches. Gonna miss you buddy. Like I said earlier gone but not forgotten.
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Post by Scott W on Dec 27, 2022 23:51:05 GMT -5
So sorry to hear this my friend. Glad you were able to enjoy the time you had with him and his wife. Rest in Peace
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Post by Legend Lover on Dec 28, 2022 6:25:57 GMT -5
I missed this earlier. That's so sad. John was the first person to send me something - he sent me some tampers and a wooden plate for tobacco prep.
I'm glad you were able to be with him, Charlie. A great representative from the patch to see him before he makes that journey to the other side.
Thank you, sir!
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driftingfate
Junior Member
Posts: 493
First Name: David
Location:
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Post by driftingfate on Dec 29, 2022 17:48:51 GMT -5
I only knew John through the AZ Pipe Club, but he was as friendly as he was gruff, a real gem of a character. He was one of those people you just never forgot and whose company you simply enjoyed being in, if for no other reason than to hear what he would say next.
He was a big reason I miss the AZ Pipe Club now that I'm in TX (no offense to anyone else). He made a mark and that's about as big a compliment as I can give a man.
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Post by trailboss on Dec 29, 2022 17:53:53 GMT -5
I only knew John through the AZ Pipe Club, but he was as friendly as he was gruff, a real gem of a character. He was one of those people you just never forgot and whose company you simply enjoyed being in, if for no other reason than to hear what he would say next. He was a big reason I miss the AZ Pipe Club now that I'm in TX (no offense to anyone else). He made a mark and that's about as big a compliment as I can give a man. Words well spoken, Hoss. I appreciate the kind words, and I know that I speak on behalf of the pipe club in our thanks. Like Legendlover, I was the recipient of John’s tampers and tobacco plate for preparation, and will treasure them as daily reminders of his generosity. |
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Post by adui on Dec 29, 2022 22:37:12 GMT -5
I only got to know John for a couple of years. He and I both work wood, and I can honestly say though he does not make pipes and I don't make pens, he taught me quite a bit. He was quick to invite me over to tour his little shop and talk woodworking and lathe work. He offered to not only sharpen my rather dull at the time lathe chisels but also to teach me to do so as well.
I was over at his place only two or three weeks ago checking in on him and taking woodwork when he gave me two of his pipes, just because I said the stem was interesting. I will miss him greatly, and I hope Cayla knows I'll do anything I can for her at this time. (I e-mailed her, but do not expect a reply with what's going on right now)
Rest in peace my friend, know you have made an impression on this grumpy old man, a good one indeed!
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Post by Yohanan on Dec 29, 2022 22:51:43 GMT -5
Sorry for the loss of your friend, God Bless and take care.
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Post by trailboss on Dec 29, 2022 22:56:16 GMT -5
I dunno Terry…
The pipe you presented him with, knocked the socks off his feet.
He greatly appreciated those that he was able to help out on their journey.
The admiration is mutual, of that I am certain.
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