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Post by Joe on Aug 19, 2007 15:39:51 GMT -5
You will not be forgotten.
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Post by Joe on Aug 19, 2007 15:53:13 GMT -5
RIP Ron Holbrook....I will always love you my Brother...Gone but never forgotten!!! Play on, I'll be with you someday my Brother, this world was not for your anxious heart.
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Post by holbrook4 on Aug 20, 2007 11:38:06 GMT -5
Ronald Holbrook: Born in Malden, Massachusetts October 10/12/68 - 8/18/2007. skins & sticks were his form of communication! Announcement will follow with details on the funeral home location and time....tentatively Thursday or Friday(8/23/07 or 8/24/07) in Stoneham, Ma...All will be invited...ex band members/fellow musicians/fans/all are welcome to pay respects to my beloved brother. Ron loved all who loved music as much as he did. Ron lived for music.
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Post by holbrook4 on Aug 20, 2007 15:10:47 GMT -5
Ron Holbrook Funeral Information: Time: Thursday, 8/23/2007, 4pm-8pm Place: Barile's Funeral Home 428 Main Street Stoneham, MA 02180 Phone: 781-438-2280
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Post by spaceman1 on Aug 20, 2007 21:26:47 GMT -5
In my 41 years on this planet, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this sad. I haven’t been able to think straight for the past few days. This is tough news for me to have to put out on the internet, but I feel compelled to write this eulogy upon the passing of someone who was so very close to myself, my band, and my family. Sometime on Saturday, August 18th, the world lost Ron Holbrook. He was one of the nicest guys I have ever known. Ronnie was the original drummer for The Welch Boys. He did all the drumming on our first cd, and helped write the songs. PJ and I had even known him for a decade before we ever formed the Welch Boys. PJ, Ronnie and me played in a rock and roll band that was a side project during my time with The Blue Bloods and Gage. We used to jam on cover songs in my cellar, and play occasional shows and parties together. Ronnie was a naturally talented drummer, and a stand up guy. He had a great personality, and more importantly, he was one of the finest friends that I have known. When I left the Blue Bloods to form The Welch Boys, he was on the top of my list for drummers. I drafted him into the band, and he became an integral part of our sound. Due to circumstances, we had to ask him to leave the band last year. It was an extremely difficult decision for all of us to make. I will always remember Ronnie’s enthusiasm, his brotherhood, his humble smile, and his sense of humor. He was a hard hitting drummer, and he could play any style. He didn’t even listen to punk rock, however, he could play fast beats better than most of the drummers in this town. He preferred Black Sabbath to Black Flag, yet he fit The Welch Boys perfectly. He had a passion for rock and roll and a dedication to his craft. He even had a drum kit tattoo on his arm. Ronnie had a dream of making it in the world of rock and roll. He seemed to be at his happiest when he was playing with his band mates. Ronnie believed in God. Religion was one of the things that we discussed over the years and over a few beers. I know that he is, at this moment, looking down at us from Heaven. That being the case, Ronnie, I have a specific request for you. Please set us up a special soundproof room in Heaven, just like my cellar. Get a case of Miller High Life, a John Bonham Ludwig drum kit, a Les Paul guitar, and Marshall stack. As soon as I get there, and see you again, we are going to jam till the sun comes up. We will miss you Ronnie.
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Post by holbrook4 on Aug 20, 2007 21:33:44 GMT -5
Thank you, Spaceman1....you did know Ron, for sure. Amen
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Post by spaceman1 on Aug 20, 2007 21:39:59 GMT -5
Yes, this is TJ. Thank you for posting the information.
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Post by holbrook4 on Aug 20, 2007 21:40:45 GMT -5
"if we're so much the same, like I always hear why such different fortunes and fates? some of us live in a cloud of fear some live behind iron gates
why such different fortunes and fates? some are blessed and some are cursed some live behind iron gates while other see only the worst
some are blessed and some are cursed the golden one or scarred from birth while others only see the worst such a lot of pain on the earth
the golden one or scarred from birth some things can never be changed such a lot of pain on this earth it's somehow so badly arranged
some things can never be changed some reasons will never come clear it's somehow so badly arranged if we're so much the same, like I always hear"
The Larger Bowl Rush
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Post by holbrook4 on Aug 20, 2007 21:42:38 GMT -5
Thanks TJ...This band meant a lot to Ron. Your words mean a lot to me.
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Post by spaceman1 on Aug 20, 2007 21:44:22 GMT -5
Good words of wisdom from Neal Peart, a man who has had similar loss
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Post by holbrook4 on Aug 20, 2007 21:48:18 GMT -5
I've no more words. This is Craig, Ron's older Brother. It doesn't make sense. It won't It probably isn't suppose to. I'm glad I had the joy of having a Brother like Ron. My thoughts go out to all of Ron's extended family.
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Post by holbrook4 on Aug 20, 2007 21:50:00 GMT -5
My thoughts and prayers are with his daughters Randy and Caterina.
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Post by spaceman1 on Aug 20, 2007 22:04:22 GMT -5
Mine as well. Good night. TJ
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Post by PJ on Aug 21, 2007 15:00:33 GMT -5
I can’t imagine saying it any better than TJ and I wouldn’t even try. I just want people to know how greatly Ronnie will be missed. The people that only met him briefly will miss him greatly, but those that knew him best are truly missing a piece of their heart and soul since Saturday. Words cannot accurately describe how great of a man Ronnie always was, but this is my attempt:
Ronnie and I were always in if for the laughs. We never took anything too seriously; we just enjoyed each other’s company. When it came to playing together, there was always an amazing connection. We loved to jam out on 70’s and 80’s rock tunes. So often we’d throw out a riff just to see if the other could pick up on it. More times than not, it was an Ozzy or Sabbath tune. When it came to straight out jams, we had the ability to sense each other’s need to change the tempo or feel. We could read each other’s subtle changes by the crack of his drum or the stroke of my pick instantaneously. It was perfect. I’ll never be so in tune with a drummer again. He was an amazingly talented musician. He loved my playing, and I his.
Music playing aside, I’m going to miss my friend. If I had any idea I wouldn’t be talking to him again, I would have picked up the phone Saturday morning. I wish I could hear him say, “Thank you Cleveland!” once more. I’ll never be able to watch or hear a line from Spinal Tap without thinking of him with his perfect English accent.
Ronnie, if you are up there and are at peace, as TJ and I believe, I want you to know that you’re truly missed. I’m sorry if I didn’t do more when I could have. I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to know you and called you my friend. You will never be forgotten. As you once said to me, and I hope to God you heard it when I said it back…I love you like a brother.
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Post by PJ on Aug 21, 2007 15:06:02 GMT -5
Craig, as sad as we are, he was your brother and I'm very sorry for your loss. I never realized until now how much he meant to me. I always thought I would see him again better, but it wasn't meant to be. He was a great person. I always had a great time with him and he always put a smile on my face. I wish I could of done something more.....I wish I understood how bad things had gotten.....its tough.....
I am very sorry for your entire family and his kids. Its not fair.
I'll see you Thursday. PJ
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Post by gunr on Aug 21, 2007 16:53:07 GMT -5
Unreal, got the news today. Still having a hard time accepting Ron won't be around to share the stupid stories of things we did as stupid kids... Ron and I started our very first band FVB with Jeff Moughan, Tom Coy and Ed Dion in Wilmington in 1983. He was a 14 year old punk with hair hanging in his Cheerios and Black Sabbath crankin on the boom box in the kitchen. Of course our very first Jam session Ronnie was partying in the hood and did not show up ... I knew right then he was the drummer... when we finally got to Jam I found a MONSTER drummer who was naturally gifted. Playing drums brought out the best in Ron and he was alway happy to cram his drums into his Ford Pinto or any available vehicle and drive ANYWHERE if there was ANY chance of us setting up and jamming. Ronnie had a huge heart and he lit up every room he walked into. The world has lost a very decent human being. Ron lived for music and was truly sincere. He will be missed and will live forever in our hearts!
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Post by jforsythe on Aug 21, 2007 17:01:32 GMT -5
Ron will be missed, I will never forget the friendship we had as kids growing up on Federal Street in Wilmington to the last time I saw him play with you at Abbey Lounge. The memories he leaves me with will always make me smile, laugh and long to have one more beer with my friend.
-J
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Post by holbrook4 on Aug 21, 2007 17:47:25 GMT -5
It's been a difficult time for all of us and every word that every one of you have volunteered from your souls; your history together with my brother mean so much to us. He had so many who loved him. Thank you all.
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Post by holbrook4 on Aug 21, 2007 17:51:07 GMT -5
I wanted to let everyone no that the following has been created :
A fund for Ron's Children has been set up In Lieu of flowers, everyone is invited to send anything to the following at any Eastern Bank:
"Ronald W. Holbrook Children's Fund"
****This account will be open indefinitely for the Children!****
Thanks to our Dad; Vincent Holbrook
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Post by holbrook4 on Aug 21, 2007 17:53:30 GMT -5
Any funds collected go immediately to Randy(6 years old) and Caterina(3 years old); Ron's beautiful children.
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