I just received an email this evening to say that our long time forum friend, Fran Durham, has passed away today. Fran had been ill with the dreaded 'Big C' for some time, and he fought it to the last.
I'm sure we will all miss his contributions to the forum and those of us who were lucky enough to meet him, know what a true gentleman he was.

RIP Fran

BILL....

Thanks for letting us know of Fran's passing.

Is he the UK Fran or the Fran who lives in S. Carolina,USA and is Bob Hendershot's cousin?

Do you have additional information like an address for family members who might like to hear from his musical friends?

I have your lovely response to my email. I will respond tomorrow.... I know you are probably sleeping about now....

ELIZABETH EVELYN

Hi Elizabeth. It is Fran Durham who lived in S. Carolina. Fran was instrumental in starting the annual Florida Jam and did the editing of the videos of the jam that are available here on Synthzone. He was not my cousin, but Fran and I go way back to the days that we both played Technics organs and were members of an organ players group called Organ Buddies International. Frank Bez will remember those days. I'll check with Marg, his wife, to see if she wants her address passed along. I will be seeing her in the next few days.

What truly sad news even though it was not totally unexpected and I did hope that his strong spirit and determination would get him through this terrible illness. But it was not to be.

I never met Fran or his wife Marg but from his postings and personal emails we have exchanged over time, he came across as a really genuine nice guy who was obviously totally devoted to Marg.

My condolences go out to Marg at this time. I am sure that she has so many many happy memories of the years they have spent together and I hope that she can take some small consolation from this at this very very sad time............Joan

This is sad news, indeed, I knew Marge and Fran well from working on all of the Jams. I will miss him.

My condolences are going to Marg too. Ik must be tough to go on without Fran. I also only know the Durhams via this forum and the friendly messages and the commitment for the forum and yearly jams (too far for me to visit).


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I only met Fran once, at the first Florida jam, and he treated me like a visiting dignitary. We knew each other from this forum and the earlier Technics forum, and he always acted with kindness and helped anyone who asked for it. He was a gentleman and a comrade-in-arms, and will be missed.

Hi Folks, It is with a sad heart to hear of Fran's passing. The loss both to the world of music and his family is obvious to those of us whom only had contact via the forum let alone those who actually had the privilege of knowing Fran in person. With all our heartfelt wishes go to his family from this side of the pond.
regards John and family.

[This message has been edited by jd5live (edited 12-06-2008).]

It is indeed sad news to hear of yet another death due to cancer. I only know of Fran through this Forum but I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to his Wife and all who were close to him.

Audrey

OH

BOB H.....

Most likely you will let Marg know of Fran's music friends of this forum. Some who met him at the FL jams, and some who did not. Please let her know we feel his loss too.

How I got the idea Fran was your cousin, I do not know.

ELIZABETH

Will do.

I am much saddened - he was a real gentleman.
Roger Mepstead

Will there be a FL KB jam Spring of 2009?

Sure would be great to go, especially if fuel prices stay low!

EE

Thanks Folks. Got this note from Marg's grand niece a few minutes ago.

"Hi Bob,
Thanks so much for sharing this. I will be leaving shortly but did read the (forum) postings to Marg and she was very happy to hear them."

Marg is doing well.

Marg said it was OK to pass on her snail mail address but I am reluctant to put it on an open forum like this. If you want her address let me know by email and I will get it to you. My email address is in my profile. Bob

[This message has been edited by Bob Hendershot (edited 12-07-2008).]

We are very sorry to hear about Fran. We were looking forward to seeing him & hearing him play the KN 7000 as he promised.(under duress)He did play at the first jam. He was such a delightful person & we will miss him greatly.
There will be a jam again in March, 2009. I w will be posting more info in a few days.The jam will be held at the same place as last year, in Holiday, Florida. The dates are March 24,25, & 26

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It is always sad to lose a member ... Our prayers and condolences to his family ...
t.

This is very sad news. Fran has always been a very good friend to all of us on the forum for many years. He also put together the great video DVD of the East Coast 2007 Technics Jam.

My deepest sympathy goes out to all his family and friends.

My condolences to the family and friends of Fran Durham. He will be missed, but will live on in our hearts.

Larry

It is with heavy hearts that we received the news about Fran. When Rilly and I attended the Jam in Florida, Fran and Marg made us feel so welcome. They were a devoted couple and Fran will be greatly missed by all.

Mary Stanley and Rilly See

Sad news indeed. Fran will be missed on this forum and especially at the Florida Jam. He was instrumental on organizing the first jam and supportive of all the ensuing jams. His smiling friendly face will surely be missed.

Fran was also a great help to me when getting this Technics Forum started many years ago. He was also a great advisor in dealing with many of the problems in this early forum. I always appreciated his help. He was very active then and I think I still have a lot of his music recorded for my 20 for 1 email lists that I also ran for years.
I too send my condolences to Marge and all the family. Fran will be missed by us all.
Best regards to all,
Bebop