Garry Whiting

[Hugh Norwood]

I am devastated to report that Garry died on Tuesday evening, 5th December 2023.

His step daughter told me that he was without pain at the end and died peacefully in hospital.


A light has gone out in the 009 world.

[MickT]

Thank you for letting everyone know Hugh.

As you say, a great loss to the hobby overall and from my own personal perspective, a passing of someone who has been a good friend through thick and thin for nearly 40 years.

Very sad news which, while those of us who knew him were aware that Garry was on limited time, it has still come as a bit of a shock that it happened so quickly after seeing him in good spirits at Statfold.

Mick

[B.Meldon]

 Very sad news indeed, and a massive loss to our hobby and the society.
His knowledge about the history of the society including early society events was unparalleled.
He was member No.15.
Obviously my thoughts are with his family and all those that are many in number that knew him as a friend.

[Graeme Dunbar]

I am very sad to hear this. He was a great friend to ScOONs and it was he (along others, some also sadly departed)  who brought the 009 Society to exhibitions in Scotland that helped us get started. His input to our ScOONs Zoom meetings helped us get established as he was a prodigious builder and always had something interesting to show to inspire us. He also regaled us with his stories.

It was wonderful to see him at Statfold. I did not know the extent of his illness and it was clear he was in some distress but that did not subdue his character and wit. It is a shock to hear that he has gone. I shall treasure his 'lightbulb' story.

[John Thorne]

This news is one of great sadness to me. I have known Garry as a fellow modeller and friend for forty years and now his fire has gone out and he rests quietly in a siding.

[Julian Evison]

Thanks you, Hugh, for passing on this news.

I have posted this on the News pages of the Society and a version will also appear on NGRM:


It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Garry Whiting died on Tuesday, 5th December. While not unexpected, it still comes as a shock that the end for him has come. Just last month he was still answering queries on the early years of 009 modelling, this time for a piece in Railway Modeller. His knowledge of 009 modelling was, I believe, unsurpassed and that was backed up with much understanding of the real thing. He shared this knowledge freely and lightly, always encouraging others and looking forward to their future work.

In recent years he has been the Society Archivist, but before that he also filled other posts, not least being Chairman from 1977 to 1984 and 2000 to 2002. I am very happy that, despite his illness, he was able to attend and take a full part in our 50th Anniversary celebrations at Statfold in September. As one of the then three surviving founder members, he was a great link to our early days.

He leaves a big hole in the 009 world and his knowledge and character are truly irreplaceable.

Rest In Peace, Garry, so many will miss you. A fuller obituary will appear in the News in due course.

Julian

[Ian McAulay]

I only really knew Garry through his contributions to ScOONs online meetings, which he supported enthusiastically and faithfully in the early days when we were getting started. His knowledge of 009 and the pioneers of both the scale and the Society seemed almost inexhaustible and his stories were fascinating. I shall miss him.

Ian

[Alan Feldon]

I last saw Garry at Statfold  , after not having seen him for some years ,having been living in Greece .It was great to see him again and was a very enthusiastic reunion .I did not know how bad he was , and he didn't mention anything , but we did correspond afterwards , as I have been living on borrowed time for 10 years .
He was a true friend and be will be sadly missed , not only as a person but also what he did for the Society .
R.I.P.dear friend
Alan

[David Hennessey]

I too last saw Garry at the Statfold do; still in great spirits in spite of his illness.

A true gentleman and a great character to see at meetings in Rainford. I'll particularly be grateful to him for the surplus Knightwing diesel kits he passed onto me, and a few have already been built to honour his memory.

Rest peacefully Garry.

[duttonbay]

Although I had corresponded with Garry for a few years, I only met him once, when he offered the operating space of Gairloch and Wester Ross at ExpoNG as a base. As an Aussie visiting ExpoNG for the first time it was great to be able to leave my stuff somewhere while I wandered around, and I did get to play trains for a short while, and meet the others in the team. That was 2008 and every Christmas after that date I received an Christmas card from him. Very sad news. RIP Garry.

[Tom Haythornthwaite]

I only ever met Garry at Statfold, where I was not the only one to thank him for membership services.  Lovely chap.

[Julian Evison]

Thank you all for your comments. A summary of them and those on NGRM has been sent to the family who are amazed and delighted at the kind words written.

Julian

[Hugh Norwood]

Garry's funeral details are as follows

3rd January at Lawnswood Crematorium
Otley Road, Adel, Leeds, LS16 6AH
at 10:45

Please reply to me via email (the little envelope icon) and I shall collate numbers on behalf of his family. Thank you.

[David Chapman]

Only heard about Garry's passing on a Sc009s zoom meting. I once asked Garry if he could please build a Peco varikit for me as I didn't have the confidence to tackle a white metal kit. Garry not only built the kit for me but sent me two beautifully completed locos (including chassis) all for no cost to me.
When I saw him at Statfold I saw the huge change in him and had a private word with him thanking him once again for the kindness shown to me.
Dave Chapman # 6152

[Hugh Norwood]

Garry's funeral will be live-streamed and available to view afterwards.

I know there are friends who cannot be there but who would like to watch it.

I'll post link later when I have it.