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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through January 07, 2011 » Archive: 2009 » Archive through August 16, 2009 » A fellow club member, Nicola, has passed away « Previous Next »

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davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8287
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 4:25 pm:   Edit Post

Steve (crazykiwi) just emailed me. The following is from his message.

I just wanted to let you know that one of the Alembic forum members, Dr Nicola Knight, passed away recently from a heart attack while playing sport at the age of 33. Nick was Italian but had spent a substantial amount of time at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbour, completing his Doctorate in Anthropology before relocating to the UK.

He wasn't very active on the Alembic forum as he had a busy work life as a research fellow at Oxford University. However in the 4 years I knew him, he scaled his collection of instruments down from a range of Alembics and Smiths to just one, an Alembic Series II with a Europa shape and burl walnut facings.

He was also a close friend who had a deliciously warped sense of humour and will be greatly missed by his close friends, colleagues and his devoted wife Maria.


Jazzyvee purchased his Europa from Nicola in this thread.

Nicola posted under two different usernames, "knight" and "r5r5", as he had lost his password at one point and created a new account. He first joined our group in 2003 and last posted in 2008; a long time member.

There is an In Memoriam page here with a nice picture of Nicola.

While he wasn't one of the regulars who post daily here, Nicola was one of the many who have been with us for many years now, and stop in from time to time, contributing to the growth and evolution of our community.

Thanks for being part of us Nicola.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8288
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 4:34 pm:   Edit Post

Steve; thank you again for letting us know about your friend Nicola. I know you'll miss him. You are in my heart this evening.
crazykiwi
Member
Username: crazykiwi

Post Number: 66
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 4:53 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks David, he was a very unique personality.

On the memorial page, there's a link to his last blog, some observations of pigeons entitled 'Pigeon Bothering' which attributes an ability to make morality based decisions to these birds that are otherwise often referred to as 'rats with wings' in UK urban environments.

This is so very typical of Nick's warped sense of humour while no doubt having some underlying academic significance as well.

He occasionally used my bass forum for his research purposes and he last logged in the very day that he passed away. I remember the last time we were together, we were driving up to one of the annual forum get-togethers and we were laughing so hard at our flights of silliness that I had to take extra care in driving.

I'm pleased to say that at least one research student of Nicks will continue to be involved with the forum and it seems a fitting legacy as the student has also indicated he's interested in taking up bass guitar.

I'm thinking also particularly of Nick's wife, Maria as well. They were devoted to one another and I can't begin to imagine what she must have been coping with over the last couple of weeks.

RIP Nick, I feel your loss keenly. I will miss our enlightening and stimulating chats and your particular brand of Italian lunacy.
artswork99
Senior Member
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 700
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 6:42 pm:   Edit Post

Steve,
My sincere condolences. Thoughts and prayers with Maria and friends.
Art
pauldo
Intermediate Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 172
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 8:07 pm:   Edit Post

root 5 root 5 - forever may he play on . . .
57basstra
Senior Member
Username: 57basstra

Post Number: 1021
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 8:23 pm:   Edit Post

Sounds like he was a very remarkable man who left the world much too soon. May God's blessings and grace be with his family and friends during this time of sadness.
willie
Intermediate Member
Username: willie

Post Number: 135
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 8:30 pm:   Edit Post

Steve My condolences to you and Maria the rest of his family and friends. Even though I did not know him personally, all on this forum seem to be friends even if you never meet them. So it is a loss to all of us. It appears he was quite intelligent so it is not only a loss to the Bass community but to the Academic community as well.
He will be missed by many.
Will
basstard
Advanced Member
Username: basstard

Post Number: 293
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 12:04 am:   Edit Post

On no... Another Alembician (and a great human being) passing away...

My thoughts are with him and the ones that loved (and still love) him.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1562
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 12:24 am:   Edit Post

Gosh, sorry to hear that. I remember him as a very happy and cheerful chap when I went to get my Europa from him and his wife is a lovely lady. He actually let me play his series II bass too.

Sad news indeed.

Jazzyvee
white_cloud
Senior Member
Username: white_cloud

Post Number: 713
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 2:18 am:   Edit Post

Sincerest condolences at this sad time for Nick and his loved ones - god bless!

John.
georgie_boy
Senior Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 827
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 2:30 am:   Edit Post

Best wishes to all at this sad time.

George
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1196
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 5:22 am:   Edit Post

My thoughts and condolences to Nicolas family and friends.
Michael
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 480
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 6:03 am:   Edit Post

Wow he was only 33 years old...........that's too young!!!
basstard
Advanced Member
Username: basstard

Post Number: 294
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 6:07 am:   Edit Post

Yes, only 3 years older than me... It makes me think about certain things in my life...

If there is an "other side", may it be filled with love, peace, and custom made Alembics for Nicola.
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2566
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 6:41 am:   Edit Post

WOW this is truly a sad thing. My condolences to his entire family and my prayers go out to them.

OO
southpaw
Advanced Member
Username: southpaw

Post Number: 224
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 7:18 am:   Edit Post

My condolences to his family & friends. Obviously a warm & brilliant man who leaves a great legacy to those who knew him. Godspeed.
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 883
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 10:04 am:   Edit Post

That is truly sad news.
Another nice Alembic Forum member, and at that age!
My deep condolences to his family and friends.......
Oliver (Spyderman)
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3970
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 10:38 am:   Edit Post

It's always sad to hear of someone passing, and especially at such a young age. My condolences to family and friends.

"May the Four Winds Blow You Safely Home"

Bill, tgo
crazykiwi
Member
Username: crazykiwi

Post Number: 67
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 2:21 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks chaps, I'm currently trying to contact his wife through a number of different avenues and will be passing on your messages to her.

Its come as a shock to everyone who knew him personally and he will be remembered very fondly.
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 1471
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 2:35 pm:   Edit Post

I'm very sorry to hear this. My condonlences to his family and friends.

Sam
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6210
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 2:40 pm:   Edit Post

It's certainly a shock, Steve. So young, you never know, you just never know.
jakebass
Member
Username: jakebass

Post Number: 80
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 - 4:17 pm:   Edit Post

I've already posted on Basschat where I knew Nick a little better, he was a true original, very humourous and always giving pause for thought with his bright and often funny posts, Basschat and this board are poorer places for his passing. My deepest condolences to his loved ones.
Jake
chrisalembic
Junior
Username: chrisalembic

Post Number: 40
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Thursday, July 02, 2009 - 5:59 am:   Edit Post

I am sorry to hear this. My condonlences to his friends and family.
gregduboc
Intermediate Member
Username: gregduboc

Post Number: 167
Registered: 11-2008
Posted on Thursday, July 02, 2009 - 7:48 am:   Edit Post

Please accept my condolences as well... Very sad news...
This shows us that we can never expect it... It may happen any time.
May you rest in peace Nicola.

Greg
crazykiwi
Member
Username: crazykiwi

Post Number: 68
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Thursday, July 02, 2009 - 1:56 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks again everyone, I'm pleased to report that I managed to get in touch with Maria last night and have just sent her a link to this thread. It's been a nightmare for her and I'm sure she will be extremely appreciative of your kind words.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8313
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 02, 2009 - 9:18 pm:   Edit Post

Thank you Steve.
the_mule
Senior Member
Username: the_mule

Post Number: 717
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Monday, July 06, 2009 - 10:23 am:   Edit Post

Very sad to hear that, R.I.P. Nicola. Hopefully you'll contribute some sweet music to the great gig in the sky...

Wilfred
mario_farufyno
Intermediate Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 138
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Wednesday, July 08, 2009 - 5:47 am:   Edit Post

It is always sad when a fellow let us... Condolences from Brazil. Hope his family find the strenght to go trough all this.

(Message edited by Mario Farufyno on July 08, 2009)

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