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RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 3:44 pm
by GreenLake
Our longtime and active forum contributor, instigator behind the revival of DS fleet 135 and veteran of a half dozen or so Texas 200s (several on a DSII), John E Alesch has passed away suddenly this morning.

Anyone who's sailed on Canyon lake, done the Texas 200, or followed this forum knows John and his love of sailing and this event. He just completed another successful Texas 200 (not with DS but a different O'Day boat) only a few short weeks ago.

He'll be remembered for his generosity in sharing his adventures; the unreserved way he assisted others where he could, with advice, with maps, with loans of equipment; the way he overcame his handicaps to be out there; his interest in others; his ever-ready trove of anecdotes and, last, but not least, his stubborn refusal to ever quit. Say it ain't so -- he didn't quit, it must have life quit him in the end.

Sad news

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 3:47 pm
by TIM WEBB
Just saw this on the TX 200 FB page:

"It is with great sadness and that I'm posting this message. My brother in law John Alesch passed away this morning from a heart attack. He was so excited about a trip he was making to Egg Harbor Wisconsin this Thursday so this news is shocking considering how well he was doing,( other than his poor knees). Funeral information will be forthcoming and also in the Statesman. Any messages for his brother Ed can be left on the fb page. - Becky Fore"

John was known on this forum as jeadstx, and has been posting here since 2008. So sad to hear this news. Never met John in person - had the chance on my way west last August, but unfortunately circumstances prevented that. I've been corresponding with John for years through the forum and via email, and he helped me a lot with my DS. I will miss his generous sharing of his wealth of knowledge here.

Re: RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:19 pm
by TIM WEBB
Thx GL, sorry, didn't see that you had created a topic right before I posted. Man, this has been shocking news today ...

Re: RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:34 pm
by GreenLake
No issue, Tim. Indeed, very sad news.

Here's a picture showing him at the helm of his O'Day Mariner at the 2017 Texas 200.
DSC09918_1200.JPG
John at the helm of his O'Day Mariner at the 2017 Texas 200
DSC09918_1200.JPG (77.53 KiB) Viewed 18285 times

Re: RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 5:24 pm
by DavidOates8011
Dear sailing friends
I was shocked to get this news that John passed away this morning. He called me yesterday afternoon to help review a letter for our DS fleet 135 here out of Canyon Lake. That was typical of John. We were so looking forward to the fall sailing season.
He was my DS mentor, passionate about sailing, a close friend and genuine. He wasn't perfect (who is?) but I know he had faith in God, as he told me so. John & I were the same age, man, life is short. I'm going to miss him!
David Oates
C. 210-269-7840

Re: RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 9:47 am
by Zinger88
I too was shocked when I logged on and saw this posting about John’s death. He was always very gracious with both his time and his expertise. I first met John last Fall when I contacted him to see if he may know of any Daysailer’s in the central Texas area that were for sale? He in fact did know of a boat at Canyon Lake and offered to drive down from his home near Austin to meet with me to inspect the boat and take it out on the water. I love telling the story of how it had been almost 30 years since I’d last skippered a sailboat but John just handed me the tiller after we raised the sails and said “Here ya go….just like riding a bike!” John even offered to follow me the 2+ hours all the way back home to Burton, TX when I had concerns about the condition of the trailer making the trek. That was the type of person John was…compassionate, accommodating, willing to help in any way that he could. He will truly be missed by many in the sailing world and across the Daysailer forum!

Re: RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 11:31 am
by klb67
As a fellow 1976 DS II owner who received lots of help on the forum from John when I got my DS several years ago, this news saddens me. He will be missed.

Re: 2017 Texas 200

PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 6:58 pm
by solarfry
I am very sorry to hear that John passed away. I hope he finds other sailors at his new location. Sorry for the loss. Will be missed. I followed his adventures in boats.

Re: RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 7:47 pm
by tmittner
I followed John's posts religiously. He was of great help in the refitting of my boat. Most of all I will miss John's good humor and constant presence on this forum.
Godspeed John in your new sailing adventures!

Re: RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 8:28 pm
by Salty Dog
I too was shocked when I read David's Email about John. He will be missed. Especially in our small fleet. I don't remember him not smiling.
SD

Re: 2017 Texas 200

PostPosted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 11:37 pm
by Shagbark
Wow. Taken aback. He was a regular on this site and I always looked forward to his replies to my posts and hearing about his adventures on the water. I'm sure he's now on a beautiful beam reach on flat seas with 12 knots of undisturbed air. God speed John.

Memorial service for John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:21 pm
by DavidOates8011
DS friends of John,
The Memorial Service for John is this Monday, July 17, 11 a.m. at St. Martin's Lutheran Church, 606 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78701. It will be followed by a lunch.
The notice is posted on his Facebook. I plan to go. Hope to see any of you there if it's possible.

Re: RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 4:22 pm
by K.C. Walker
This is so sad. I always looked forward to John's posts. He always had great advice and information. I was never surprised to see a great response from John to any question. I will miss him.

Re: RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 1:48 am
by GreenLake
DavidOates, you mentioned offline that there was a plan by HCYC to hold a John E. Alesch memorial regatta on Canyon Lake on Sept. 23rd. Could you confirm this and place a link here?

This would also be something that deserves its own thread in the "Events" area of the forum.

Re: RIP John E. Alesch

PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 2:22 am
by TIM WEBB
+1 GL