Uncle Arthur has passed away :(

[kitkat]

You gave us all a lot of great memories and you will be sorely missed Mikey



GCDDII http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=26910&start=225
BSDDIII http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=22492

[ZR]

RIP UA

[Boags]

Hi all,

Thanks to Tim K for contacting me privately about the news. I echo the comments of those before me that it is a shock and a real loss of a genuinely great guy. Even though we were generally on opposite ends of the opinion spectrum, he was always willing to match my passion for cars, politics, the environment and anything we could think of to get fired up about.

We got very close during the development of our NA MX5s several years ago and ended up completing turbo upgrades at around the same time. Over the last few years I have followed a path which took me away from this community and as such I haven't spoken to Mikey in years. Probably since my wedding day in 2009.

I'll end up blubbing like Wayne if I go on too long about it. He was a great guy and I cannot imagine the hole this will leave in the lives of those who were close to him. The wake is on now - I bet the stories are flowing thick and fast.

I still have the Perpetual Dodgy trophy - which I still cannot believe I won, seeing as Mikey "made" the trophy by trying to clean his engine with a glass of water... I think the trophy should be restored to its former glory and renamed, the Uncle Arthur Memorial Trophy... What do you think guys?

Cheers Mikey. You will be missed.

[zero00]

Hi all,

Thanks to Tim K for contacting me privately about the news. I echo the comments of those before me that it is a shock and a real loss of a genuinely great guy. Even though we were generally on opposite ends of the opinion spectrum, he was always willing to match my passion for cars, politics, the environment and anything we could think of to get fired up about.

We got very close during the development of our NA MX5s several years ago and ended up completing turbo upgrades at around the same time. Over the last few years I have followed a path which took me away from this community and as such I haven't spoken to Mikey in years. Probably since my wedding day in 2009.

I'll end up blubbing like Wayne if I go on too long about it. He was a great guy and I cannot imagine the hole this will leave in the lives of those who were close to him. The wake is on now - I bet the stories are flowing thick and fast.

I still have the Perpetual Dodgy trophy - which I still cannot believe I won, seeing as Mikey "made" the trophy by trying to clean his engine with a glass of water... I think the trophy should be restored to its former glory and renamed, the Uncle Arthur Memorial Trophy... What do you think guys?

Cheers Mikey. You will be missed.

Never had the pleasure of meeting him Boags, but always loved his posts! I think that's a great idea to remember someone respected by so many regardless for his obvious passion for the marque

[99MXV]

Just back from the service at Kangaroo Point. The sun was out for Mikeys last trip.
Wonderful service, and it was clear how much he was loved.
Every single photo in the memorial shots has that amazingly huge grin you can see in the photos here on the forum.
Jenny, his wife is so strong, as she said, the worst part was the past week, she was amazing at the service and explained every single aspect of what happened. Mikey was cracking jokes right until the put him under for surgery.

It was great to see Adam, Mickfred, Tim, John Tate (JBT), Cassie and Ryan and of course Jules. We all had similar memories of UA. We all agreed that he is probably onto his 4th or 5th argument with the great man upstairs already.

I don't think Jen wants anything from us, or anything we can give her will help heal at the moment. I would suggest, that if you think it appropriate, that a donation is made to some form of cancer research in memory of Michael O'brien on behalf of the MX5 Cartalk forum. Dave, if you want to coordinate that, that would be awesome.

Cheers

[corners]

For reference on donations:

http://tributes.couriermail.com.au/obit ... =162632065

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Australian Conservation Foundation, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, the Climate Institute, or similar charity are preferred.

[Cal]

I don't post in here much these days, but I was shocked to hear this news when a friend rang last week to tell me. He was certainly very full of life. RIP mate. Taken long before your time.

[Okibi]

Here's the links to the preferred charities

https://www.acfonline.org.au/donate-now

https://www.australianwildlife.org/Supp ... e-Now.aspx

http://www.givenow.com.au/theclimateinstitute

[Stu]

UA, you will be missed

RIP Mate

[NMX516]

I can certainly echo what others have said. Mikey was certainly a generous guy, and was always willing to help a fellow 5'er. I first met him at a dodgy day at his place, about a month after I bought my NB in 2006. This was also the first time I met many other forum members that I now call friends. Since that day, many dodgy days ensued, and UA was always there with bells on, and always willing to facilitate a prank at Wayne's expense!

I've been offline for a few days (on holidays interstate) so was unable to attend today's service, but it is good to hear that it was as celebratory as such a service can be, and that Jen seems to be coping reasonably well.

Anyway, very sad news, UA will certainly be missed.

[r0gue]

I've been off these forums for almost 5 years now and for some reason just stumbled across this thread. I am extremely saddened by this news and am sorry for his close friends (to Ryan and Michael) and the rest of the MX5 QLD and Auscartalk community.

I knew UA from my first club meet in 2002 and since leaving the club have looked back a number of times and thought of him and the club and forum runs we went on. Just the other day I was going through some old club pics and recalling fond memories. Here is my tribute pic to him - impersonating Uncle Arthur. RIP Mikey.

UA2.jpg