On a very sad note Andrew Donovan's (sick-em-rex) wife Julie passed away yesterday afternoon from melanoma cancer. It was diagnosed when we returned from Sandy Point last October. Looking like it was manageable she went through several operations and treatments but ultimately it was not treatable. Unfortunately very aggressive it turned into tumours that ultimately took her life. I spoke to Andrew tonight and understandably he was devastated but philosophical that he and his two young blokes would get through a hugely difficult situation and had come to terms with her passing. He was totally wrapped in the support he has been given by friends and family both emotionally and spiritually and some very personal uplifting moments in her last hours. Even as a close mate it was very hard to understand the suddenness and finality of this horrible disease and the devastation his and her families had to endure. Andrew actually mentioned Herby from FNQ and his battle and the understanding of the struggle. We windsurfed together a month ago up at Canton and had a chin wag out on the water and he was quietly optimistic. Windsurfing is the supreme tonic and as Andrew said its very cathartic and Im sure has helped him recently.
Thinking of you brother.
Larko

Terrible news...
I can't begin to think about what that would be like.
Please pass on our condolences from the Vic GPS teams.

Mick

Very sorry to hear Andrew. Thanks Larko

Very Sad to hear

Very sorry to hear! Thoughts go out from the Perkins'

Sincere condolences. Its very sad to hear someone passing away from a terrible disease in the prime of their life and leaving many love ones behind. Best wishes in the trying times ahead.

Very sad, thoughts to the family.

our thoughts are with you Andrew

Even though we have never met Andrew it's a family here, I'm sincerely saddened by your loss.
Thinking of you, Chris, Jon and Bob.

Never met other than on seabreeze and GPSTC. However a sad to read the passing of Julie. our thoughts with you guys.
Mike and Joan

Thanks for posting Larko

Sorry to hear of this all the best Glynn & Sue

So so sorry to hear.

Andrew, I am so sad. I have a fair idea of what you are going through. Please accept
my sincere condolences. I share your grief.

Andrew your loss is shared by many windsurfing friends known and unknown.
May knowing that you're in the hearts and thoughts of others help you and your family through this time of sorrow.

Greg and Anne

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alewi62 said..

Andrew your loss is shared by many windsurfing friends known and unknown.
May knowing that you're in the hearts and thoughts of others help you and your family through this time of sorrow.

Greg and Anne

Well said, feel the same, we are all with you and hope to see you again Andrew when you visit Sandy Pt next time.

Hi Everyone,
First I just want to say from the bottom of my heart how thankful I am for all the support from Seabreezers. This has been an enormously humbling experience. My wife was a special woman. She was my first ever girlfriend and this year we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. The things we crammed into those 20 years would make some peoples heads spin. But that's how she was. We never procrastinated, we just did. Julie made me a better man, simple. She has taught me that if you be and are nice, then it will come back to you in spades. She knew how much my windsurfing meant to me and was always at me all through her illness to get out and sail. I never wanted to leave her side, but thankfully 4 weeks or so ago I did head up to Canton and it was fantastic to catch up with some of the usuals and meet some new ones also. Whilst the thoughts of her never left my mind it is just an undescribable feeling once you start planing. It's like the weight of the world lifts off you and nothing else matters.
In 1991 we spent 4 weeks together in Maui. She kept a travel diary and I was reading it last night and it told of 3 occassions where she managed to do waterstarts. She was so proud and happy. I wasn't quite so happy as she ended up one day drifting about 3 miles down Kihei Beach and I had to go rescue her and sail the board back upwind!!
I just want to say to you all again thanks for your support. I have made some what I hope to be lifelong friends through this sport and through Seabreeze. Larko you are a great mate and I thankyou for being there whenever I needed to talk or vent.
We are a caring community who look out for each other. There aren't too many others that can say that.
I hope to see all of you on the water one day soon.
Cheers,
Andrew.

That is such terribly saddening news Rexy. Your brave words are inspirational and remind us all to make the most of what we have.

Thank you Larko for posting the tragic news with such eloquence and feeling.

Our condolences from the Geelong/Cremasters..

Andrew, really sorry to hear this terrible news. I hope the wind blows so you can get out on the water soon.

Ben

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sparky72 said..

That is such terribly saddening news Rexy. Your brave words are inspirational and remind us all to make the most of what we have.

Thank you Larko for posting the tragic news with such eloquence and feeling.

Agree 100%. So sorry to read this news Andrew.

I'm sure all of us in the windsurfing community send our sincere condolances

So sorry to hear about your loss.

Gidday all,
Just to let you all know Andrew's wife Julies funeral will be on this Friday 26 July. It is being held at Blacktown Uniting church on Bungarribee Rd, Blacktown at 10:30am.
There is a wake being held at Stonecutters Ridge golf club in the function room from 11:30am. Andrew has said that all are welcome to come and celebrate Julies life.
No pressure to attend but if you feel like offering some support to a friend and fellow windsurfer please feel free.
Cheers,
Larko.

Very sad to hear of your tragic loss of your life partner Andrew. I can't begin to imagine how devastating that must be. Hang in there mate. Hope to sail with you again at Sandy Point some time.

Such sad news... from your post above, I can see that you have had an amazing life together. Those memories will always live on.

Our thoughts and wishes to all during this time.

Roy + Tash