Many of us have come to know Patrick Malone (Lugnut) as a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and kind individual. He is a frequent and enthusiastic contributor to our analog discussion forum. He has initiated only 17 threads, but responded to 559 threads. I would guess that many, if not most, of us can recall a time when Pat replied with helpful advice to a question we posted or helped us track down a rare recording. I have come to love Pat as a friend, and to respect him as a man, and I suspect many of you share those feelings.
Today I write to share difficult news with you. Pat has been diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer. It has yet to be determined whether surgery will even be worth it. If surgery is performed, most or all of the stomach will be removed, and Pat would face a difficult and long post-op period in the hospital. The medical course is still uncertain, but will be determined soon. Whatever is decided, it will not be easy or pleasant.
Something may be planned in the future to assist the family. For now, Pat could use some of the friendship he so often and willingly showed us. You can email Pat at: lugnut50@msn.com. You can also mail cards, letters ... or whatever. You may email me for Pat's mailing address. My email is: pfrumkin1@comcast.net.
I hope to spend a few days with Pat in Idaho or Nebraska (from which he hails) soon. Between this news, my legal work, getting ready for family arriving for the holidays, Audio Intelligent, and trying to make plans to visit Pat, my head is spinning. If you email me and I don't respond, please understand that I am not ignoring you, but rather simply do not have time to reply.
Pat may or may not have time to respond to posts here, to emails, or to cards mailed to him. But he has asked me to convey to each and every one of you that he has cherished your friendship, your comradery, and sharing our common hobby on this great website.
As we prepare for our holiday season celebrations, and look forward to -- as we should -- enjoying this time of year, I ask that you keep Pat and his family in mind ... and softly offer up, in quiet moments in the still of night and early morning, prayers for Pat and his family. God bless.
I love you man! This is the first time in my life that I'm literally sitting here crying at my keyboard. I'm glad that your burden (pain) is finally gone, but the world was a better place with your presence. Know that you touched many, many hearts and lives.
May God be with you now, and spread your loving presence with your family in their time of need.
Barb, Amanda, and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
{Raises his pint of Guiness} To my friend/buddy/pal Pat Malone........Salute!!
My deepest sympathy goes to Pat's family. Thanks to Barb for sharing his last moments with all of us. I wish I could have done the same if I was in your position. That alone shows us a lot of character and courage on your part. This alone will make me think deeper about life and make me not take precious life for granted.
I myself have been on Audiogon for as long as most here and know of Lugnut from reading and participating on forums. Though our paths have not crossed, it still makes me want to at least say goodbye fellow Audiogonner. Rest in Peace.
My wife's and my most sincere condolences go out to the Malone family and friends. Only by chance did I find this thread two weeks ago, but chose not to contribute until now. Like many in our Audiogon community, I had never had the good fortune of knowing Pat, the bravest man I never knew. All I can say is that in a very short time, this, the last chapter of a true man... Patrick Malone has affected my life in a most profound way. What better testament to a life well spent?
Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there... I do not sleep. I am the thousand winds that blow... I am the diamond glints on snow... I am the sunlight on ripened grain... I am the gentle autumn rain. When you waken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of gentle birds in circling flight... I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry— I am not there... I did not die...
Rest in peace Pat. Tonight, I'll spin some Neil Young on my Linn LP12 in your honor.
"And the father said, 'I have reached the end of my journey and I know that the end is better than the beginning, but my children can walk alone and their children with them.' And the children said 'you will always be with us, even when you have gone through the gates.' "And they stood and watched him as he went on, and the gates closed after him. And they said, "we cannot see him, but his memory will guide us forever."
Barb and Amanda, My wife and I share your sorrow and peace. Love you John & Syndie Seattle
Godspeed on your journey Pat! I hear they have horns up there. I hope they're running them with tubes! I will miss your generous contributions as well as thoughtful and thought-provoking debate. My deepest sympathies go out to Pat's family and friends... I cannot imagine such a loss.
Though strangely I had never seen this thread till tonight I remember always clicking on Lugnut whenever I saw his monicker. Always offering help to others is not a bad way to be remembered. May you rest in peace. Larry
I am so sorry about your loss. I have not been a regular poster to this thread and even now have a difficult time posting here, but I had some email exchanges with Pat over the last year. I respected Pat as a person and as a man. He seemed very passionate about everything he did; from buiding his race car, to building his audio system, to voicing his politcal opinions to sharing his ordeal over the last year with friends. I respected him most for his passion because without passion, life is but existance and it seems like most are happy just to exist, but not Pat, he stood out from the "crowd" in this respect. I have thought about all he has gone through and it is so sad such a man was taken from the world so soon but it is awe inspiring that he lived out his last year in such a vibrant way. From what he has wrote about you Barb I think he was a lucky man to have someone like you to share share his life with.
I only met Pat briefly and virtually... after reading the news I have a feeling of irretrievable loss and yet, I also feel a (frightening for me) sense of calm; Pat's new life will be good and peaceful
Thank you Pat and Barb for coming into our lives -- and Barb, may God preserve your strength and yr well-being. Greg.
Dear Audiogon friends - My heart aches and my eyes weep but I feel so at peace. I know it's because of the way that Pat prepared my for this time and because of the love and support that I continue to get from all of our many friends. Thank you each and every one of you.
A wonderful way to memorialize Pat would be to relax and listen to music on Sunday afternoon which will be our open house visitation time. Also in Pat's memory I would like to collect letters addressed to his grandchildren, Scott and Aidyn, so that someday they can read them and know about their grandpa. There's no better way to celebrate this wonderful man.
Reporting from Pat's computer and feeling his presence. Barb
Barb, you are amazing. Your idea is so special, and I can not think of a better memorial for his grand kids. Thanks again for letting us share your life.
On Sunday I'll play some Neil Young - live stuff I think - and some blues, 'cause those are things I know Pat liked (I'm already lining 'em up: Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Otis Rush, Champion Jack Dupree, Bill Broonzy, Mississippi Fred McDowell...), as well as the last CD-R I made for him. I grieved yesterday, but today woke up angry knowing I could no longer chat with Pat or read a new post from him anymore. I know you'll have the most beautiful gathering there Barb - that evening I'll raise a glass in Pat's honor and attend in spirit.
You are an amazing person, and we feel blessed to be a part of this thread. God smiled down and brought this thread into our lives many months ago. It has been our good fortune to read your insights as well as those that Pat left for all of us.
Your idea is wonderful. Please know that our household will be spinning music in Pat's honor on Sunday afternoon...probably will start with Cortez the Killer...wish we could travel from Texas and be with you. Also, a letter from two big fans of Pat's will be sent to your grandchildren in your care.
Danlib1 said it so eloquently a few threads ago: "Though the one I love is gone for now, the love is not. LOVE NEVER DIES."
PATRICK PAUL MALONE, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
Barb, you and your family remain in our prayers, Mary and Chuck
I've never posted here before, but that's okay. Pat was a dear and close friend of mine for twenty some years and I'm very touched by all the postings...He was an exceptional friend and one of my closest and dearest buddies. He even took the time this last summer to help me build my first Hi-end audio system and now I'm hooked...thanks Pat. I'll never forget the time he took us to a concert (karla Boniff)and sit us front row,dead center..(sweet spot). I know that's where Pat is now and he's saving me a seat...It's been my good fortune to have know him and to be able to go to thier home on Sunday and spin some albums. Pats latest Neil Young album was Prairie Wind and that's were he is now...you just have to listen......rest in peace old friend
Barb,I was feeling pretty low , in an email Pat sent me he said;"Be glad for me when this is over.Realize that ive had a pretty incredible life,did it my way and luckily suffered enough trials along the way to prepare me for this.It doesnt get much better than this"i felt very peaceful after reading this,Pats no longer in pain,ill never forget Pat,He is one of the rare people whos light shined bright enough to warm everyone around him,even over the internet and miles away i could feel his loving and caring nature,his passion and love of life is something that will be with me as long as i live!My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones,i will enjoy a day of music and remember Pat Sunday,Thank you,Ray
Hi everybody, hi Barb, hi Pat. I was surprised at how upset I was at hearing this news. Even more surprising looking at my background. I am a health care provider specializing in Lou Gehrigs Disease. All of my patients are my friends. I have seen many friends pass away. But I miss Lugnut. I never met him and regret that I didn't. But we have chatted on the phone a few times over the past year or so. Seemed like I was talking to an old lifelong buddy from the start. So what has had me so troubled. I was afraid of loosing something more than a friend.
I think that what attracted so many people to this post, that attracted so many people to Pat is that in many ways we all have some Lugnut in us, and Pat gave us the opportunitty to live out our inner "Lugnuts". He allowed us the opportunity to share openlly in community and shared love of something that we all in our way find beautiful and dear, music. Life. Joy.
With Pat, either in e-mails or over the phone, I got to be a little more honest, open, happy, joyfull, soft, humble. These are parts of me that Pat helped bring out and I do not want to let go of these things.
I still want to let my inner "Lugnut" run free.
But I felt kind of on my own these past few days.
Then I woke up this morning, went for a walk. I said a warm good morning to everyone I possibly could, while all the while picturing Lugnut in the cockpit of that plane. I came home, listened to some music, and got back on the horse. I sure want to continue with this community that Pat has helped fuel.
With that is mind I would like to sponsor one nights lodging for the "scholarship" for a young person to attend the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. I am sure others will be able to help with other needs. I want to honor my friend. I want to thank him and remember him. I want to show thanks to Barb for sharing her Lugnut. But most of all I want to continue what Mr. Lugnut has started.
There has been talk about a memorial to our beloved Lugnut. The idea that Davt mentioned has been discussed before. I don't know if anyone is interested in this, but it would be nice to see something set up to maintain the presence or memory of Pat Malone here on AudiogoN.
If people are interested in doing this, or have other suggestions, perhaps another thread could be started to get the ball rolling. Any ideas Paul, or others who have been so faithful in posting and caring for Pat?
I first stumbled across this thread back in early May, and read through it for a couple of days before posting on May 5th. Although I haven't posted much since then, I have continued to read it with a sense of joy, and dread, at the same time. I know that you all helped Patrick a lot as he continued to fight this awful disease, in a very Public Forum, with grace, humour and courage. However, he also helped all of us who have not had the horrifying experience of having to watch a loved one die slowly like that. It will help us deal with that awful reality should we ever be confronted with it personally. This thread will exist here for a long time, and can be used as an inspirational tool to convince similarly afflicted people and their loved ones that life should be lived to its fullest until your time runs out.
Barb, you have my sympathies for the loss of Patrick. Things will be busy around you for a while I expect. But, if you ever feel lonely, you know now that some support, friends and advice are as close as your computer keyboard.
My thoughts are with you. Though we only briefly met, I know I will always remember Patrick, ant the night we all shared together here in San Francisco.
He was a good man.
When I finally find myself fly fishing, I'll be thinking of Lugnut.
I have a few comments that I would like to discuss after reading DavtÂ’s post.
First off, keeping Pat alive in our souls is keeping the Lugnut in each of us active in our lives. Dav, you did this on your walk, and you came home alive. What this experience has taught us is to be honest, open and loving of strangers. These strangers become friends as soon as we extend our hand to them,
We have all shared an experience here, and it has been good. The experience appears to outsiders as death, this is what we see in the obituary, but we have learned this experience is in actuality life. Our time on earth is ours to share in any way we wish, this group at Audiogon have learned to share life as love and honesty. From this experience we hopefully have changed our perspective. That is the Lugnut legacy, and for me what I carry away from this and some other experiences IÂ’ve had in my life is we are in this together, and every one of us needs the love of others to have the most fulfilling experience possible. Imagine how sad and lonely PatÂ’s death would have been without this community. Now put yourself in PatÂ’s place, will you be alone or will you have love surrounding you at your passing?
We need each other, not just when we a sick, but every day. Pat had wished for this thread to continue because he was the benefactor of the love shared. But really, werenÂ’t we all the benefactors? My life was forever altered when I had my heart attack, and I have found the community expressed here ar Audiogon in my life outside Audiogon. I have been able to share my lessons with many people, I even wrote a book (not publishedÂ… yet) to help others learn. I try and live LugnutÂ’s lessons with every person I meet. My comment is to keep Pat alive we must expand the affected group beyond just Audiogon. If we do not, then the lesson will slowly fade into history, and nothing we have learned will have been carried forward into our futures. This is not acceptable in my view.
We are the luckiest people ever, we were allowed to share the hardest part of life and we grew. Pat will live as he lived today on DavÂ’s walk. If we want to memorialize Pat and BarbÂ’s gift to us than all we need to do is love everyone you meet. Share random acts of kindness everyday. (I can not express how powerful random acts of kindness are.) Love will spawn love in the same fashion hate spawns hate. But love trumps hate every time, hate will fail to exist if we all love one another. We were created to share this experience together and to help one another everyday. Help is not one day or one thread at an audio web site. Help is loving everyone we meet, and extend our souls to another.
For the moment that is enough from me. I have set-up my Empire turntable from 1972 with the AI preamp Pat gave to me, and yes Neil Young (‘70’s style) will play tomorrow afternoon, despite a frozen cartridge that sounds like $#&^.
God bless you all, I have grown to love so many of you through this incredible thread.
Today we laid Pat at the altar of our old stone church - to honor him and to present him to the Lord. Our family gathered around to memoralize him with scripture, prayer, song and stories that lasted about one hour. A friends 10 year old daughter played "Amazing Grace" on the guitar, we sang "In the Garden" and we ended with Eva Cassidy's Fields of Gold."
In was chilly but sunny autumn day and the whole world just seemed to stop. So we all looked up and said thanks while the heavens opened to receive Pat.
Thank you my friends. Barb
PS - The puppy will be named after Pat's grandmother. "Stella Grace" I will call her "Gracie"
Barb, I have attempted several times to post since reading of Pats death. Everytime I began to write seemed so shallow and empty. I really didn't know what to say.
I never met Pat, never spoke to Pat and never exchanged emails with Pat. But I do remember when I first asked a question on here about my lowly Technics turntable, Pat was one of the few to respond. He didn't tell me to get rid of that peice of junk, he told me things that might improve it to where it would bring me more enjoyment.
I have followed this thread from it's start and have shed many tears, both from sadness and from joy. Like many people, I gravitated to Lugnuts posts. He had what I wanted. An attraction rather than promotion thing. It wasn't his stereo or records that I wanted. It was much more than that. I wanted his compassion, kindness, honesty and caring and helpfulness to others. He let us see deep into his soul, which I find very difficult to do with those I know, let alone strangers on a website. In this world of corruption, cheating, self grandeur, Pat was a truly remarkable person.
I know I will miss him.
Thank you for continuing to share Pat with us. I will have my lowly Technics turntable tweaked to Lugnut specifications loaded with Neil Young Sunday afternoon in his honor. May he rest in peace.
Gracie is a beautiful name for the dog!! I love it.
My family and I are thinking of you all today. A lyric from a Dylan song seems to sum up Pat, this thread and what he's meant to us all better than any words I could come up with:
And every one of them words rang true And glowed like burnin' coal Pourin' off of every page Like it was written in my soul from me to you, Tangled up in blue.
I am more tangled up than you'll ever know. I envy you having had such a great spirit to have shared your life with. Thanks for sharing him with us. I'm getting out my Decade CD now. I'll be sending a letter as you suggested to Pat's grandchildren.
Barb, I'm glad to hear you decided on Gracie. A tribute to the past, as well as a reminder of the grace Pat has experienced.
I will be spinning Praire Wind this afternoon along with Amused to Death. At first blush it seems inappropriate, but Roger Waters deals with some very complex themes, including, tragic loss, and that many people have trivialized their own lives as well as human life in general.
Pat on the other hand understood the importance of this life, as preparation for the next.
Pat, we're not tailgating, we're drafting! Thanks for leading the way. Barb, you are no less in my prayers today than you were last week.
Got home last night from 5 days in Sanibel. Come into a cold house at 11pm and do you know what the very first thing I do? Boot up my computer, skip my 43 emails and go directly to Audiogon to check on Lugnut, who was in my prayers as I ran along the Gulf coast. enjoy the music Pat. see you soon. peace and love to you and your family. Rest gently.....love, warren
Barb, Let your memories be as sweet as the pictures you've posted! Let them only comfort you and if you feel lonely, you can always use a keyboard to talk to us here.
Dear Barb, I've thought of Lugnut many times in the past few days, and express my sympathy fopr your loss. As you can tell, many here are feeling Pat's loss, and while my dealings with him were not nearly as numerous as others here, I was always impressed by his pleasent manner, and desire to help. As others have noted, we'd be pleased to try to help you as you may need. Please just ask. Rest in Peace, Pat.
FWIW, Barb had a little trouble getting the system working on Sunday when everyone was scheduled to visit. Vetterone went over and got everything working. Hey Vetterone, thanks for helping!
I am sorry and sadded with tears as I read that Patrick has pass on. My condolences to the Malone family.
Thank you O Lord for sharing Patrick with us, his life with his family and friends and for his knowledge to those from afar. Grant Pat eternal life as he enters Your Heavenly Kingdom and give us the strength to endure the void left from Your shinning star. Amen
Davt has offered a Lugnut memorial "scholarship" for one night's lodging at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. Nrchy inquires about other ideas.
One issue is whether our work should focus on the Malone family, whether it should be expanded beyond them, or both. Pat was concerned for his daughter's, Amanda's welfare. She and her husband, Nick, do website design and work. I've been using them for Audio Intelligent's website (which should soon be improved, thanks to them). If you could use Amanda's and Nick's services, feel free to e-mail me and I'll provide contact information. Pat also expressed concern for Amanda's and Nick's son, Pat's grandson, Scott. Starting a college fund now is an idea.
Regarding expanding the "circle," I recall the way this group generously contributed to the "Leslie Project." This project put together a home theater system for a young woman who was paralyzed when she was hit by a drunk driver. The system was presented to Leslie on August 15, 2004. Ozfly (amazingly!) purchased a new Denon home theater receiver, but the rest of the equipment was more or less spare equipment (and music and videos) that members had and generously donated.
Perhaps someone could act as the repository for such equipment (and music and videos), and when a system can be assembled, we could find some needy soul who could benefit from having music in their life. Perhaps we could coordinate with an agency that, say, specializes in assisting the paralyzed, the blind, or those with some other disability. The equipment could be donated in Pat's name -- The Patrick P. Malone Memorial Audio Award. Perhaps, too, it could structured so Barb could utilize the charitable giving tax deduction (if it's legal -- I don't do tax work).
Of course, Barb knew Pat the best, and so I encourage her weighing in on the subject to help us do something that Pat would most enjoy, and that honors his spirit. What does everyone think?
Hi Paul - CEDIA's ELF Foundation sounds like something Pat would have approved of (from their site) -
The Elf Foundation is a non-profit charity organization that acts as a rallying point for consumer electronics industry dealers, media, manufacturers, representatives, and industry organizations for the express purpose of designing and installing entertainment systems in Children's Hospitals and ancillary facilities throughout North America.
You can visit the Elf Foundation at http://www.elfsystems.org
Paul: You of course are the initiator of this thread and have had more contact with the Malones than most of us. I'll just put down my own take here and others can respond if and as they see fit.
My own feeling is that Barb shouldn't be asked to weigh in about the family's situation here on the thread, but perhaps someone like yourself could function as a private intermediary. If it turns out they could make use of some assistance, that's the direction I'd most like to go in. Maybe we could have a special Audiogon auction with proceeds to be donated. (Of course it's possible Audiogon might shy away from setting such a precedent, seeing as Pat won't be the only member here who dies, and although it would be charitable as an action, it would not be giving to a charity. Personally though, I don't think this need be an automatic disqualifier; for instance, over the years I've attended several benefit music shows held at area clubs for local performers who've needed help with medical bills or similar.) I suspect that trying to set up some kind of more permanent or general fund for this type of cause wouldn't be practical for a variety of reasons. And though I know Pat said he thought it was a nice idea for a tribute, I myself can't get behind the "audio scholarship" proposal (don't need to go into why here, but obviously others disagree with me on that one). Summing up: My opinion FWIW is that more limited and more direct action is both best and most workable, provided that it's needed and wanted. However if Barb doesn't feel the same, then maybe she can let us know their prefered charity(s) for making memorial donations.
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