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@handtightenonly
I was saddened to learn of the suicide of someone who'd become a good friend from the moment he worked on my car. Those of you who own older vehicles will be well-aware that you have to have a good feeling when you hand your pride and joy over to a mechanic. For him it wasn't about "an earner" - he genuinely loved seeing people's faces when he unveiled what he'd achieved. I didn't know him for long and his state of mind was never, ever anything other than very positive and very easy-going.
He was a true master at his craft and will be sorely missed by his young son as well as the people whose dreams he'd made come true. His speciality was bringing VW Campers back from the dead, but he wasn't so snobby to work on newer vehicles...
He took five months to undertake the work on my car because certain parts are no longer made at the rate they were and he didn't once moan about having to store her or move her around. The work was completed after I'd moved overseas, so he contacted my old man and together they placed the car in its' new home. I spoke to him on several occasions after and he was genuinely pleased with the outcome and even cheekily made me an offer on it.
RIP Des and shine on you crazy diamond.