Pool is much more than just pool.

Colin Colenso

Colin Colenso

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I consider myself a pretty pragmatic guy, not one for communal hugging or similar such outpourings of emotion, and for me pool has appeared to be mostly a personal challenge of learning, concentration, self-control and the like.

However, these past few days have reminded me that pool has been much more than that. A very close mate of mine, with whom I'd shared hundreds of hours on the table, many golf rounds, poker games and beers with, passed away, aged just 35, late Saturday night after a fight turned horribly wrong.

Dozens of good friends from the pool community, shocked by the loss, have gathered frequently since hearing the news, offering support to each other, arranging fundraisers and tributes in support of the wife and 2 young children that Gary leaves behind.

It's been a wake up call to us all to appreciate the friendships that have developed through the time we've spent together due to our interest in pool.

It's a shame it takes a tragedy for some of us to appreciate something that we take for granted.

I'm not hoping for sympathy. My own loss, painful as it is, seems insignificant compared to what Gary and his family must endure. Perhaps some others have had similar experiences?

Below is a picture of Gaz, arms crossed in front, with our pool team last season. I'm in the shorts.

Colin
 

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There are no words to describe the hurt/anguish you must be feeling. I will keep you and your friend's family in my prayers.

I lost my best friend (28 years old) about 3 years ago. We met each other for the first time making a cue trade.

Pool brings together many of us who otherwise have nothing in common.
Having a bond with someone, regardless of what that bond is, is impossible to replace, but it does get easier over time.

My condolences to you and his family.
 
cuenut said:
There are no words to describe the hurt/anguish you must be feeling. I will keep you and your friend's family in my prayers.

I lost my best friend (28 years old) about 3 years ago. We met each other for the first time making a cue trade.

Pool brings together many of us who otherwise have nothing in common.
Having a bond with someone, regardless of what that bond is, is impossible to replace, but it does get easier over time.

My condolences to you and his family.
Click to expand...
Thanks Scott,
I'm sure you know how I've been feeling.

I guess I've been pretty lucky to go this long without losing a close friend. I'm sure many here have gone through this and worse. Never easy.

Colin
 
Colin -

Sorry about your mate. We miss you in Shanghai. Has been really cold here.

League is still running but not the same without you and I'm not playing.

Take care
 
GADawg said:
Colin -

Sorry about your mate. We miss you in Shanghai. Has been really cold here.

League is still running but not the same without you and I'm not playing.

Take care
Click to expand...
Thanks mate!
Missing Shanghai and my many friends there too. Not missing the cold winter though.

Hopefully be back for a visit around April to catch enjoy some spring weather.

Colin
 
Colin, Sorry to hear such sad news. I've reached the age, where, unfortunately, I've lost too many close friends, so I know what you are experiencing.

Hang in there Brother. Time does heel all wounds, and you will forever have the memories of the good times.
 
Colin,

In 1994 my best friend was killed in a boating accident. He had such a dynamic friendly personality that most people bonded with immediately. I had a difficult time dealing with the tragedy. It will never make sense. It is not something we will ever forget. I think of all the good times we had together and I feel his presence from time to time. I occasionally dream of him and wake up smiling.


It's my hope that you will find peace of mind. I cannot give you any advice on how to deal with this. I finally realized that mourning and grieving had to stop. I'll continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
 
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I'm sorry for your loss and your friends loss. i'm 32 and i never think about these things. Seeing he only got the 35 really makes you think that even in perfect form anything can happen.

May he rest in pease.
 
Colin Colenso said:
I consider myself a pretty pragmatic guy, not one for communal hugging or similar such outpourings of emotion, and for me pool has appeared to be mostly a personal challenge of learning, concentration, self-control and the like.

However, these past few days have reminded me that pool has been much more than that. A very close mate of mine, with whom I'd shared hundreds of hours on the table, many golf rounds, poker games and beers with, passed away, aged just 35, late Saturday night after a fight turned horribly wrong.

Dozens of good friends from the pool community, shocked by the loss, have gathered frequently since hearing the news, offering support to each other, arranging fundraisers and tributes in support of the wife and 2 young children that Gary leaves behind.

It's been a wake up call to us all to appreciate the friendships that have developed through the time we've spent together due to our interest in pool.

It's a shame it takes a tragedy for some of us to appreciate something that we take for granted.

I'm not hoping for sympathy. My own loss, painful as it is, seems insignificant compared to what Gary and his family must endure. Perhaps some others have had similar experiences?

Below is a picture of Gaz, arms crossed in front, with our pool team last season. I'm in the shorts.

Colin
Click to expand...

So sorry for the loss of your friend. Life can render some pretty tough wake up calls to us.

Being 57 and a bit older, I have lost more than a couple of friends and through some pretty drastic measures. Often they eave us so very sad and sometimes quite angry at the situation.

Todays pool scene doesn't seem quite as violent as years past, but more dangerous. Back in the day if we had a problem the two of us wnet outside and simply looked stupid for a few minutes {or seconds} came back inside and it was over. Too many these days carry guns and knives and there aren't too many one on one battles anymore.

It is such a shame that someone with two small children and a wife has to go when he has so very much more life ahead of him.

It sounds as if he were lucky to have you as a friend.
 
Colin, I'm very sorry for your loss. I have not lost any close friends as you have but I have and still do live with a daily wake up call with Cancer.

"It's a shame it takes a tragedy for some of us to appreciate something that we take for granted." I've said that for the past 6 years and I still tell people this now and some people will never understand it until something bad happens.


"Don't live for tomorrow or the next day and don't dwell in the past. Live for today, yesterday doens't matter and tomorrow isn't promissed to anyone."
 
My sincere condolences to his widow and two children...it is so sad for a family man to die so young. My condolences also to you and his teammates, and for other relatives and friends.

It is such a good thing for his mates...which seems a better word even than friends...to gather for remembrances, tributes and fundraisers.

Mike
 
I'm terribly sorry for your loss, Colin. Losing a close friend, especially one so young, is tough to endure.

I wholeheartedly agree about pool being much more than just pool. I discovered this shortly after I installed a table in my basement. I found that I used it far less than I had anticipated because the camaraderie of the pool room had become something I craved almost as much as playing the game.

With sincerest condolences to Gary's family and friends,
Aaron
 
Sorry for your loss, Colin.

I've lost more than a few very special friends who were less than 50 when they died. Unfortunately, the bumpy road of life tends to have as many goodbyes as hellos, but even a short period of time spent with any valued companion is something to be thankful for, a lesson that sinks in very gradually as we get older.

Here's to better times, my friend.

Regards, Stu
 
Colin,

Thanks for the post. I'm sorry for your loss. Stories like this are important to hear periodically to remind us to cherish life and appreciate what we have. My recent shoulder surgery and temporary (but extended) loss of much of my "quality of life" has been a good reminder for me too.

Regards Mate,
Dave

Colin Colenso said:
I consider myself a pretty pragmatic guy, not one for communal hugging or similar such outpourings of emotion, and for me pool has appeared to be mostly a personal challenge of learning, concentration, self-control and the like.

However, these past few days have reminded me that pool has been much more than that. A very close mate of mine, with whom I'd shared hundreds of hours on the table, many golf rounds, poker games and beers with, passed away, aged just 35, late Saturday night after a fight turned horribly wrong.

Dozens of good friends from the pool community, shocked by the loss, have gathered frequently since hearing the news, offering support to each other, arranging fundraisers and tributes in support of the wife and 2 young children that Gary leaves behind.

It's been a wake up call to us all to appreciate the friendships that have developed through the time we've spent together due to our interest in pool.

It's a shame it takes a tragedy for some of us to appreciate something that we take for granted.

I'm not hoping for sympathy. My own loss, painful as it is, seems insignificant compared to what Gary and his family must endure. Perhaps some others have had similar experiences?

Below is a picture of Gaz, arms crossed in front, with our pool team last season. I'm in the shorts.

Colin
Click to expand...
 
Sorry

for your loss, Colin, but they always stay with you in memory. Remember all the good times you had together.
 
Hang in there....Aussies are the best...had fun with the Duff during the early 90's in Chicago and Germany...you've got some good pals, keep the faith.

Pool is "life" in all its ways...
 
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