Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

     Many of Hoseheads longtime posters will remember our friend from Australia, Gilbert Kennedy, that used to post here. Gilbert always posted under the moniker of "Gilbert" and quite often gave us humorous stories,or just a humorous line here or there. Occasionally he would make a serious post,but as he once told me,he thought of message boards as being very similar to having a BBQ after the races (like they do in Australia) and a bunch of guys sitting around having a few beers,and swapping stories.

   Gilbert hasnt been here for the last few years,changes with the message board,and having his own business which required much of his time took his posts away from here,much to our misfortune. Gilbert was a visitor to the USA in 1999,and  I got to spend a week with him  as we had met from another message board,and had made arrangements  to meet up here in the USA,and go both sprint car racing,and sightseeing as well.

   I have been in and out of touch with Gilbert myself,although occasionally I will go thru all my Australian friends phone numbers,and call and see whats going on. So tonight,while looking at another message board we both frequent (although he hasnt been on there much either) I saw that Gilbert had made a post. So I decided its been awhile since I have chatted with Gilbert,and I have found a phone card with great rates,yeah I'll call him.

    I hadnt spoken to Gilbert in ages,probably a year  or more,although he recognized my voice immediately. Couldnt forget the distinctive Maine accent. Come to find out he had been trying to e-mail me,and figured I had gotten his message,and thats why I had called. I told him I hadnt gotten an e-mail from him,and perhaps it was telepathy why I just happened to call.

    Gilbert then filled me in on why he had been trying to e-mail me. His wife of 33 years Sharryn, had been sick with cancer,and after 18 months of different treatments,she passed away early Saturday morning, Sydney time.

  We chatted for at least an hour,both about his wife,his family,and sprintcars at Parramatta City Raceway. He hasnt been to PCR this year,which is understandable, but he is like the rest of us here,he loves the sprintcars. Before we hung up,I asked if I could post about him and his wife here on Hoseheads. At first he didnt know if it was a good idea,as no one would want to read about his wife,but I told him, I still have people ask me about him from time to time,and then he remembered he did use to e-mail back and forth with many people here. I seem to recall also,that Duane made a plaque for him at the Hosers get together at Knoxville that read that  Gilbert was "A nice guy even though he is an Aussie"

   I am waiting to get an e-mail from him (got the e-mail addresses corrected hopefully) and I'll post his e-mail address  if its ok with him once I do hear from him.

Last year Gilbert stepped in and helped an underfunded Ian Madsen team with some sponsorhip (Kennedy Couriers).

I too wondered why he had gone silent. I am deeply sorry to hear this news. "Cranky" when you feel up to it, come down to PCR, lets catch up and maybe have a beer.

www.sprintcardaily.com

I'm very sad to hear the news and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to Gilbert and his family. Thanks for sharing Andrew.

This is sad news, Gilbert is a great guy that I have had the pleasure to meet. Hang in there buddy. I miss his posts here.

Member of this message board since 1997

Condolences to Gilbert and his family.

....Opperman forever!

Gilbert, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and your entire family. I, too, miss your emails about the racing scene, as I'm sure many do. Take care

Gilbert

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I hope the caring of those around you helps. We in Tracy will keep you in our prayers.

Dennis and Marci

Thoughts are coming your way mate.

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Sorry to hear the news. Take care Gilbert. We do miss him posting on here.

Chin up, Mate!

The pain fades but the memories remain.

I havent gotten an e-mail from GIlbert yet,and I know he does have a lot on his plate at the moment. If anyone would like to send Gilbert a card,his address is below.

Gilbert Kennedy

67 Terry Rd

Box Hill

NSW Australia 2765

To the world you are someone;
But to someone you are the world.

Never had the pleasure of meeting Gilbert but always enjoyed reading his posts on this MB. We send along all of our best wishes and prayers from Missouri.

Sweeton

I just had a yarn to Gilbert. He said that I should put his e:mail up on the site. It is [email protected]. I am sure that he would be delighted to hear from his sprintcar family and friends.

I worked for Gilbert for a number of years and have remained friends since.He has two loves,his family and sprintcars.He has worked hard to give his family a good life and he and Sharon and their kids did not deserve the cards they have been dealt.Your many friends in the sport are with you in these tough times mate and we look forward to your return to the track when your life is sorted out.

Sad news Andrew!

My emails from him were so much fun and his appraisal of each Saturday night at PCR was magic, if only he would have let me print them in this forum, arghhhh.

Phone calls were just as special, usually mine were 'grog' influenced and we chatted for far too long most times. He had been spending more time with his lovely garden and his Mrs. and priorities had changed, I knew what he meant.

Gilbert, we miss and love ya' brother. If you ever get the time to survey the sprint scene this winter PULEASEEE let us know your thoughts and opinions, we'll be much the better for them. God Speed to Mom and ditto to you, Take It Easy......

Condolences out to Gilbert and family...

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