I just received very sad news over at CCF. Terry_Marsh had reported that Neil had been diagnosed of cancer: Neil McRae - The Coleman Collectors Forum My prayers to him and family.
Indeed sad news. He wrote to me, last night: "The end game approaches." My prayers and best wishes for him and his family.
I have been in contact with Neil for over 13 years and we have had endless discussions and exchanged countless pieces of information! I wish him that the therapy works and that he can still celebrate his 90th birthday! My thoughts are with him! Jörg
It's terrible to hear that. All the best for Neil! He is one of the fellow collectors who has contributed the most to the knowledge we all benefit from here.
Neil,I wish you a speedy recovery.The chances of recovery from cancer have improved. I also learned a lot from you, for example that the two animals on the Petromax lamps are seahorses and not dragons.
Even though I don't know Mr. Neil, I was sad to hear this news. I am lost for words. Best wishes for him.
Thinking of you Neil at this difficult time. Clearly your help and guidance over a long period is much valued.
55 years of collecting and meeting so many great people. Thank you friends for all your comments it's been a blast but it had to end sometime and it seems my number is up. I saw the consultant Thursday who told me it's an aggressive stage 4 cancer and they can't cure it. Without treatement he gave me 3 weeks. With the chemo maybe 3 to 6 months but at my age with a heart problem the chemo is risky. So we shall see what the next few weeks have in store for me. ::Neil::
Hi . Niel. Thank you for your contributions to the collecting community. We have all learnt from your shared knowledge. You and your family(all of us) are in our prayers. Andrew and Angie.
@Mackburner Neil, I don't think we've ever conversed directly, but you are a huge part of why I'm interested in burny devices. Spent a lot of time reading your posts on lampguild.org back when I was a young'n. Thank you for all your contributions to the hobby as a whole, and to my life in particular.
Neil, fingers crossed that the consultant was wrong. In old age the disease doesn't progress as quickly, as I see with my father. I hope that you are coping well with the chemotherapy and that the loss of quality of life is not too great for you. My best wishes, and don't let it get you down!
Well... as probably for many others ... Neil you was the main factor I was going deep into this type of pressure lighting, with your generously sharing of knowledge and files. Fingers cross for a recovery! /Conny
Hi Neil Very saddened to hear this news , I know we've spoken about your recent health problems, but I assumed no news etc. Thanks for your help & friendship in the lamp fettling scene & your visits over to my workshop playing with old broken stuff & dinner after, plus getting together with you & H the Yorkshire yeoman at Ipswich for the brightest display in the building, never seen so much packed so quickly into the back of an estate car. Keep as well as you can , Stu.
Neil - Thank you for always sharing your endless fountain of knowledge with generousity - be it here or in a PM regarding the smallest detail in an over 100 year old lamp to an apprentice like me. I am so sorry to hear about your latest misfortune - I sincerely and deeply hate cancer in all its shapes and variants. I shall cross what ever can be crossed for your recovery - but, should your number be up as you say - I hope they can keep you as painfree as possible, and that you - if at all possible - may find your peace in knowing the respect which stands around your name, and the many friends you’ve made, by the way you have helped so many in here - being a driving force in this community. No money in the world would buy you that respect or amount of friends. You’ve earned it all by being you. So the question many ponders on while on their last sand in the Hour Glass - Did I make a difference to anybody?- Yours is easily answered - Yes you most certainly did! All the best Neil.
Similar to many others here - I came to this later in life (one good thing that came out of COVID for me) having meant to restore "that lantern" for years. I was and am still amazed by the depth of collective knowledge here, but most of all learned quickly that one person above all has the most profound encyclopedic knowledge and the desire to impart this information to anyone that was interested or had a need to know. I also know that my opinion is shared by many here, and that this true gentleman is held in the highest regard by all here, recent converts and old hands alike. Neil, thank you for your service to this and the wider lantern community. You have played the major of part in ensuring that these most interesting of devices were not consigned to the dustbin of history. I hope you still find time for some rays of light in the challenge ahead of you, and you remain in our thoughts. Chris
Sorry to hear this news Neil, I've enjoyed, and learned a lot from the information you've imparted regarding all forms of lanterns on here, even though I'm really quite a 'newbie' to this hobby, the depth of knowledge and advice is enormous, and a lot of it is down to you. Your light will shine where ever you are. All the best Neil. Tim
Wow that's terrible mate, thanks for your help and advice, love from team Buggerlugs. Our prayers go out to you and your family.
Oh bugger So very sorry to hear this Neil. You just never know when the time will be up. I admire you for taking it head-on, go for the chemo, every week's a bonus Thanks for all the advice over the years. You will leave an enormously interesting and valuable legacy to the lamp community, something you should be immensely proud of. Your enthusiasm and knowledge on various subjects is second to none and I'll certainly miss your contributions if and when you decide to leave the hobby... Hoping for the best/longest, Alec.
