Flotsam (Neal Williams)

[Sean]

That is called grain. It is supposed to be there.
=Neal W.=​

Hi All,

It is with much sadness that I inform you of Neal passing away. I have been in contact with a close friend of Neal's (Peter Salo) the last few days. I will post the main part of our correspondence which contains the most detail including info on the Memorial set for feb9th:

Neal and I were very close for 35 years, hiking, bicycling etc.
It was photography that brought us together. He was a great resource
for me.

Neal had a few problems that conspired to prevent him from being more
active. A case of gout that would make his foot and ankle hurt terribly, a
twitchy lower back, and a knee that could have used some help.

Yet he was always upbeat and fun to talk to. He possessed a great
sense of humor.

I spoke to him on Thursday night (1/17) but he had a bad case of
laryngitis so we cut it short. During the last 6 months, Neal spent most of his time at home. After calling him all day on Saturday
and getting no answer, (this was not unusual as he didn't always pick
up) his brother, Brian and I were growing concerned and Brian was going to come up to Neal's in New York on Sunday anyway.

That's when he found him. It appears to be heart related. He passed
away in his chair with the TV on. We suspect he had a blockage that he was unaware of and all indications point to heart failure.

It was totally unexpected.

So, please go ahead and make the announcement, if you need any facts
about Neal you can contact me. And please feel free to post my APUG username (peters2004) and my real email address:
peter@itscurtainsforyou.com
in case any of Neal's APUG friends want to contact me.

There is going to be a Memorial for Neal on February 9 at 2PM at the
Waterwheel Cafe on Rt 59 in Montebello, NY.
It's about 2 miles from New York State Thruway Rt 287, exit 14B
(Airmont Rd) in Suffern, NY.

Thanks Sean. Neal was very proud to have known you and talked often
about you and the improvements you were making
to the APUG website over the years. APUG was a big part of his
photographic life.

Peter

More details about Neal:
APUG profile: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
forum posts: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
gallery: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Neal joined us on Oct 1st, 2002 (member 241) and had over 3,200 posts. Neal was as good as it gets when it comes to APUG participation. He was a positive, good natured, genuine and knowledgeable fella always willing to share. It only takes browsing his posts for a few minutes to realize how much we've lost. Feel free to post your condolences. Peter may want to print the thread and take it to the memorial service for family and friends to view.

Sean

 

[SuzanneR]

Thank you for posting Sean. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. He was one of the first to respond to my introduction when I started to post here on APUG, and I enjoyed his participation, and his photographs.

 

[jovo]

Neal was the 'pugger who probably lived closer to me than any other, and who I always intended to hang out with sooner or later. Sadly, that never came to pass. He was funny, smart, and a good photographer whose posts to this site were always interesting and often fun to read. Rest in peace, Neal....you'll not be forgotten here....you're sorely missed.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Neal was one of the regulars around here who always contributed in a positive way to the APUG atmosphere with good information and a good sense of humor. He will be missed.

Here's an old favorite from Flotsam's APUG gallery--

 

[BWGirl]

Neal, we will all miss you. Please let his family know how much he was loved here and how much he will be missed by us all.

 

[Ole]

I think Neal said what I'm trying (and failing) to set in words:

I miss him.

 

[Travis Nunn]

I always enjoyed reading Neal's comments.

Rest in peace

 

[eddym]

Very sorry to hear of his passing. He will indeed be missed.

 

[gr82bart]

This is sad news indeed. My condolences to Neal's family and friends.

Regards, Art.

 

[Andy K]

Very sad news. I liked Neal, he was one of the good'uns. I'll miss his presence here. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

 

[JHannon]

I am very sorry to hear about Neal. I always enjoyed his posts and photos here.

 

[papagene]

Neal will surely be missed. He really was one of the good guys, and a fellow fan of Big Daddy. My condolences to his family.

gene

 

[philldresser]

Thats sad news. Neal was always a good source of info and objectivity.
My condolences

Phill

 

[david b]

I am at a loss for words.

I am very sorry.

 

[jd callow]

It really does suck. Neil was one of my favorite apugers, I would have liked to have met him in the real world. I miss him already. Ole posted my favorite and most aprapo Flotsam image (falling down) This would be my next choice.

 

[JBrunner]

Good bye Neil. Thank you for being a part of my world. I knew you only here, but I could tell that you are a great fellow. I'm proud to have the colleagues I have here, and proud to have associated with you. Thanks. I don't know what else to say.

 

[bdial]

Neal, you are missed.

 

[Dave Miller]

He will be missed. Please pass on my condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

This is a complete shock to me and I do not have the words to express my feelings. I can only echo all the thoughts listed above. He is missed and there will be a hole left in APUG.

 

[noblebeast]

Aside from being knowledgable and helpful in areas photographic, Neal was often a voice of reason when threads deteriorated into absurd wackiness. For that and so much more I appreciated his presence here and will miss him. Thanks Neal!

Joe

 

[MurrayMinchin]

It's no Fedora Neal, but I'm tipping my hat anyway!

Goodbye...

Murray

 

[Black Dog]

Aside from being knowledgable and helpful in areas photographic, Neal was often a voice of reason when threads deteriorated into absurd wackiness. For that and so much more I appreciated his presence here and will miss him. Thanks Neal!

Joe

Same here-no APUGger ever wore a fedora more stylishly....

 

[Alex Hawley]

Very sad. All my sympathy to the family. Adding to what all others have said, Neal was a great APUG member and I shall miss his contribution.

 

[copake_ham]

I'll miss his posts - and that great "noir" hat in his avatar.

 

[waynecrider]

I'm very sorry to hear of his passing and even a little sadder that his brother had to find him apparently alone. Not knowing Neal except thru his post, which I often thought reflected my own thoughts and feelings, I had been wondering just where he was hanging out and if he had left for awhile for one reason or another. I had noticed over time that he was only commenting every once in a great while. Funny but he had actually been on my mind for the last few weeks and I'm sorry that I didn't post a pm over to him asking how he was. Neal was actually one of the few people here who I thought I would like to sit down with and have a beer. Well, let's just put that one on hold for awhile Neal, and please keep the beer cold. God Bless ya...