Sad News About Hal

[azygoustoyou]

I am posting this for Chris and his family. I want to send my sympathy out to them and help get the word out for their loss.
Brady

Sad News About Hal

Postby chrisg » Sun Jul 31, 2011 12:26 pm
I'm Hal's son, Chris, and I'm sorry to have to share this very sad news with you all.

My dad passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly Friday night of a heart attack. He'd had no warning signs or health problems beforehand. In fact, he'd spent most of the day working on the coupe, which he'd just gotten primered. He'd gone out to get some dinner for himself and my mom, then went back out to work on the car again after dinner. When my mom looked out about half an hour later, she saw him laying in the yard and called 911, but it was too late.

Our comfort is that he was doing what he loved most when it happened. If he'd had to choose a time and place to go, I'm sure it would have been out with his cars. One of his best friends who was here at the house yesterday said "God must have a big project starting up and needed to call in some reinforcements."

I know he loved coming on this forum and sharing what he'd been working on. I can remember how excited he was when "Hal's Garage" was created for him and he used to show me the forums when we came to visit.

So RIP Harold Albert Gaylord, 12/1/44 to 7/29/11. He leaves behind his wife of 43 years, Virginia; my sister Stephanie and me; his sister Nan Martinez; his step-father Charles Zern; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews, plus an awful lot of friends. We're going to miss you an awful lot, Dad, but if God's got a garage up there we know that's where you are.

[htchevyii]

I'm very sorry to hear that, very sad news indeed. Glad to hear that he was doing what he enjoyed, though.

[So Cal Mark]

very sad, a real loss to the community

[CajunMike]

Thanks for posting . Rip Hal and my condolences to the family.

[Daniel]

So sorry to hear about this Hal was a cool Guy and helpful if you had questions ! he will be missed ....

[gary124sport]

That is very very sad. He was a significant part of the Southern California Fiat group. Very knowledgeable and down to earth. He will truly be missed. My heart goes out to his family.

Gary Poage

[Redline]

I'm very sorry to hear this. Hal was an extremely generous man who helped me out with a few hard-to-find small parts, each lovingly wrapped and posted all the way from CA to Switzerland. Never a request for compensation, just happy to help another enthusiast.

Rest in peace, Hal, and I hope your family can take some consolation from the knowledge that you shared your enthusiasm with a global community.

[rlux4]

This news hit me like a physical blow. I'm so sorry to hear this. Hal was a truly unique person, and he had a way of making a person feel special. I'm going ot miss him. My heart goes out to is family and I will remember him in prayer.
ron

[ventura ace]

We're very sad to hear about Hal. I thank his family for sharing Hal with us through the years. Please accept our sincere condolences. I really enjoyed the times I spent with Hal.

Alvon

[ital]

Just a shock for me, my condolences to the family. I just the past year got connected with Hal through my 124 coupe website.

I very much enjoyed sharing coupe talk & advise with him. I loved his work on the car and was looking forward to see it finished. This was going to be one very unique 124 coupe, being supercharged and all. I hope the family completes it.

R.I.P. Hal

[mdrburchette]

So very sad to hear of Hal's passing. We, the Fiat community, are so very fortunate to have known him. My condolences to Hal's family.

[ventura ace]

Hal's good friend Dan Ziol gave me the following information for services for Hal this Saturday:

10:00 AM
Methodist Church at corner of Sierra Madre and Michillinda
Sierra Madre, California

Alvon

[spidernut]

My prayers are with you and your family.

[baltobernie]

I only met him once, but his warmth and friendliness was immediate. Sincere condolences to his biological and fraternal families.

Carpe diem, folks. We're all on borrowed time.

[spiderrey]

Just found out about this a few hours ago. He will be missed. I enjoyed talking cars with him when we met here or there. He was uniqie and added alot to our community. My condolences to his family.