Drumjack2112

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It is with a heavy heart and a craw in my throat that I must report to you that VFRD has lost a member today. I just received a message from Jacks wife Nina that he passed away after colliding with a Jeep commuting to work on his VFR. The accident was not his fault a jeep turned left in his path and he died shortly afterward. He was wearing his helmet and all of his gear, and didn't have any warning as it happened so quickly that he was not able to swerve out of the way.

"The coroner said he died at the scene, probably instantly" Nina reported to me moments ago and she is understandably in shock and numb with the news that she lost her husband this morning. I got the sense that she wanted to tell us all that our community of riders here at VFRD was an important part of his life and that he had the greatest respect for our group. She thought it important to tell me that, and I want you all to know how she feels about us. I hope we can offer her some support in this time of need and hopefully we can give her some little scrap of comfort to help fill the void she has to bridge in the coming days. She asked that we say a prayer for him as he goes on and please be safe out on the roads.


I will keep you posted as to details of the funeral later as I learn more - I will set up a paypal exhange to his account if you want to help out with a little money for expenses. I am sure she wasnt prepared for this sort of thing to happen so suddenly, a little bit here and there can help ease the bitter taste this has to leave in dealing with mundane task of paying for a husbands funeral.

Sad day today

Miguel

space reseved for comming news

Jacks Paypal email address - drumjack2112@bigfoot.com

Nina said she welcomes any notes or well wishes sent to her

Nina Russell
ninarussell@sbcglobal.net

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I've been reading the posts, and I'm so very grateful for everyone's love, prayers, and kindness. Will you please pass along my gratitude? I'm not sure how to post, and would feel strange posting with Jack's login. I never dreamed that I'd be the one sitting at this desk writing to the group. It somehow makes me feel connected to the things my darling husband loved. Please post his funeral services for me for anyone in the area who wants to attend.

Service for John R. Russell on Sunday, July 23, 2006, 2-6pm, followed by the eulogy.
Strang Funeral Chapel
410 E. Belvidere Rd
Grayslake, IL 60030
(Rte 120 just west of Rte 83)

I want to thank you, but I'm not sure how to respond to the paypal account you set up for him just yet. I never in my wildest dreams expected that. I'm honored and taken by the graciousness and generosity of this wonderful group, and at the same time, I don't know how to accept it because it's a result of my husband's death. I understand the loving intentions, and will find a way to use it in his honor.

My deepest regards and thanks,
Nina Russell

This is sad news. My thoughts and condolences are to his wife and family. May him and Burmawolf have fun on the twisty roads of the afterlife.

Sadly posting,
Jeff

Always sad to lose a fellow biker, especially sad to lose a VFRD member.

Sad to hear. My thoughts are with his family.

This is very sad indeed, my heart goes out to her and her family in this time of tragedy. It's so unfortunate that what we love to do so much carries so much risk and potential for disaster with it. I know I took out a big life insurance policy on me just in case the worst were to happen that my family would be completely taken care of, I do hope they did the same and I would echo that message to any of us here on VFRD that if you have a family do the right thing and get a policy that will support your loved ones in case of your departure, it's the least you can do. Our prayers are with them...

man that sucks

My prayers are with Nina and the Russell family during this terrible time. Godspeed Jack.

Thoughts and prayers sent to the family and friends. Be safe out there folks.

I'm very saddened to hear of this. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Very Sorry and sad ! sad.gif

Very sad, thoughts with family...

OMG....so sorry for his family and friends.

So sorry to hear this tragic news. My thoughts are with Jack's wife and family. sad.gif

Sorry to hear of your loss, Nina. My prayers are with you and your family. sad.gif

Although I did not know him, I am deeply saddened by his passing. Nina, out thoughts are with you, and please don't hesitate to ask for help if needed.

Rob

So sorry for your loss Nina, heartfelt condolences from my family to yours. Keep your chin up.

Lost for words right now. It is so sad that things like this have to happen to good folks. I will be praying for you Nina. Sorry for your great loss. Hang in there.

Like all of us, Jack was an important member of the brethren here at VFRD and will definitely be missed. My heart and prayers go to everyone in his family...

I never met Jack except through our posts, but I remember his thoughtfulness when he sent me a nice PM a few weeks ago to wish me a happy birthday. In times of tragedy I've often found solace and comfort from words in Kahlil Gibran�s book, �The Prophet� (1923), Chapter 27:

"Then Almitra spoke, saying, 'We would ask now of Death.' And he said: You would know the secret of death. But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life? The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light. If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond; And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow, your heart dreams of spring. Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity. Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour. Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king? Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling? For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance."

Ride in peace, Jack...forever in the wind.

Wow, such sad and sobering news. More so if you look at his profile... has to be quite a guy and sounds like fun too... lists his wife as one of his interests... makes a joke about way too many tools in his garage... I'll bet he was great fun to be around....

Information
Home Page http://www.myspace.com/drumjack2112
Birthday 19 January 1967
Location Grayslake, IL, USA
Interests Riding... of course, playing my drums, and being with my wife.

Additional Information
Flaffed! No Information
In My Garage: Red 2005 VFR-800, Black 2002 VW Jetta GLS, and way too many tools.

The fact that our lifestyle carries the potential for reaping tragedy onto our friends and loved ones, usually due to the shortcomings of others, is one that at times gets lost until we're shocked back to reality. I hope those that are suffering know that all of us have gotten a wake up call and will add Jack to the pillon that carries our other lost brothers.

Sorry to hear about the loss. My best wishes and good karma to eveyone involved. It is sad to hear about anyone loosing their life in an accident especially another board member.

Can we help her out with the bike? make sure she is not getting ripped of by the insurance ect?

Oh man. It is so hard to read news like that. My prayers are with Jack's family. I'm sure he's riding that big twisty road in the sky.


Godspeed Jack.

I will pray for Jack's family and may he rest in peace.

Oh man, bummer. After reading his my space I see he was a Rush/Neil Peart fan and a drummer, too. Dang, it would have been nice to meet this gentleman, and talk some motorcycles and music. Maybe rock out a bit. Star Wars fan, absurd comedy fan, just the kind of guy you want to hang out with. Wish I could have met him. My condolences to his family.

sad.gif

Wow to read one of our own has been taken really makes for a dark day.

Nina and family are in my thoughts today.

Lets organize something for the family.

sorry to hear this tragic news my condolences to his wife and family

my thoughts and prayers are with his family tragic accident

Godspeed. At least he was doing what he loved to do. Nina you are in our prayers.

Thoughts and prayers to all those affected...