Sad, sad news - Vernon has gone to the great Pie shop in the sky!

[StuAff]

Unlike most of you here, I knew Vernon not as a cyclist, but as a work colleague. We worked together at the same school for eighteen years and only a week ago he was at the pub, enjoying his first pint as a retired teacher (and the pie we gave him as a leaving present). It has been a huge comfort to read everyone's comments here and it shows just how much Vernon touched the lives of everyone he met (and indeed posted with). I have so many memories of the man we knew as the pie bear. Vernon once played the part of the man eating plant in the school's production of 'Little shop of Horrors' and he was amazing. He was Head of Science for a number of years and it soon became clear that letting Vernon loose near explosive chemicals was probably ill advised, but often very amusing. The things he could do with an egg would make the mind boggle! The students loved him and have been remembering him fondly today. Vernon's lessons will stay with them for life.
I will miss the man who started the BBEC pie club and brought me pork pies from across the county. The students will miss his no nonsense approach, his booming laugh and the cakes he baked to bribe them into working. The world has lost a treasure.

Fine words, for a fine man. Thank you.

 

[jefmcg]

[QUOTE 4217991, member: 45"]

[/QUOTE]
@Shaun, Vernon regularly switched between this avatar and the primate Celebes crested macaque (thank you google image search). Maybe you should swap this one back in, as it would be nice if any non-cc friends or family chanced upon this forum, they would know it was their old friend.

(I never met him, but boy, I'd know him anywhere)

 

[grumpyoldwoman]

Safe journey Vernon

 

[Moon bunny]

Desperately sad to read this. The poster I wanted to meet in real life number 1.
RIP.

 

[surfdude]

very sad news . enjoyed his posts very much . he will be missed in life and in cyber space . R.I.P . enjoy cycling with your wings Vernon , your just fly up those heavenly hills

 

[Scoosh]

@sharonzac - Thank you for coming here to tell us about your connection to the Pie Bear (now how could you have come up with a name like that ... ?) Your post confirms for us that, in real life, he was just as he was on CycleChat. A scary thought - but shows the character of the man some of us were privileged to have met, though I am not amongst them.

Please convey all the sentiments on these pages to those who need to know them.

Thank you.

 

[Brains]

Very sad news.
Way too young
Commiserations to the family

 

[Soltydog]

Had the pleasure of Vernon's company on the FNRTTC from York to Hull a couple of years ago. He was one of those guys that you just warm to. Seemed a genuinely nice guy & the world & CC is worse off for his passing. I'll be wearing my 'Ritz' dickie bow top ,in your honour on my next ride, RIP big fella

 

[Chromatic]

I've never met him, and only had minimal interaction here with him but this has genuinely shocked and saddened me. It's clear he was a great guy. My condolences to his family.

RIP Vernon.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Such sad news!
RIP Vernon, we did not meet but I enjoyed you posts on CC, was looking forward to read about your retirement bike tours, in search for that elusive perfect pie.
My heartfelt condolences to Vernon's wife and family.

 

[theloafer]

RIP Vernon ... Sincere condolences to his family who are in my thoughts at this time

 

[i hate hills]

Sad sad news. Enjoyed reading his posts . He will be a huge miss on here.

 

[NorthernDave]

Sad, sad news. His posts were always good reading - thoughts are with his family and friends.

 

[winjim]

A real pity he never got to enjoy his retirement. I can only echo what others have said, he seemed like a real character and a top bloke. The world is richer for having had him in it.


Although part of me keeps thinking that all this might be a horrible, horrible April fool...

 

[growingvegetables]

The students loved him and have been remembering him fondly today. Vernon's lessons will stay with them for life.

Perhaps the memorial he'd most appreciate. RIP