Begleytree at AS has passed away

Eric Frei · 14th June 2007, 05:13 PM

For those who dont know this is the link to the AS thread.

http://www.????????????.com/showthread.php?t=49775

I've only been a member at AS for around 3 years or so, had my moments with Ralph but they always worked out. He's an upfront guy, has his say and that's that.

He was a moderator there ever since I knew, often we had chats in the off topic area about all sorts of stuff, he was an OK guy.

Anyway, he's gone now, suicide apparently, single gunshot wound to the head ... not long after his wife served up the divorce papers. Ralph is survived by his son Tyler (15), son Tommy (12), daughter Emily (10), son Brian (6), ex-wife Gale, and his current wife Shannon.

I suggest for those of you who knew him to take some time out and read the whole thread over there. I was surprised to read of other suicides in families of members. It's something that I've never known of only read in the papers here.

Truly a sad day, I'll miss ole Ralph, RIP mate.

Jeff Darby · 14th June 2007, 07:47 PM

Truly sad to hear about this,It's ashame that some can not see past the storm to the fair weather ahead.

RIP
Ralph(begleytree)

Drouin Tree Service · 14th June 2007, 09:43 PM

Not good news,i got along ok with Ralph,I wish the best for his family.

TreeCo · 15th June 2007, 05:20 AM

My opinion is that Ralph took the coward's way out and has done permanent emotional damage to those he left behind.

Just think what his parents and children are going through right now.

It's hard to feel sorry for him but I still do.

Tim Craig · 15th June 2007, 07:58 AM

TreeCo,

I respect what you have to say most of the time, but on this issue I could'nt disagree more.

Commiting suicide is one of the bravest things a person can do, there is nothind cowardly about it whatsoever.

The willpower that is needed to perform this act is colossal, your glib remark is one of the oldest cliches known to humankind, and like most other tired old sayings, it is worthless.

i am not looking for an argument, just expressing an opinion.

I am sorry for this guy and his family's loss.

TreeCo · 15th June 2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Craig

TreeCo,

I respect what you have to say most of the time, but on this issue I could'nt disagree more.

Commiting suicide is one of the bravest things a person can do, there is nothind cowardly about it whatsoever.

Leaving your kids to fend for themselves is not being brave. Ralph had responsibilties above and beyond of just taking care of himself, he had children that depended on him.

Eric Frei · 15th June 2007, 09:59 AM

TreeCo

Correct me if I'm wrong but you speak with experience, if you care to expand on that please do. I know it's a sensative area that many of us will never know or understand.

TreeCo · 15th June 2007, 10:53 AM

Being exposed to suicide doesn't make it any easier to understand.

I lost my brother to suicide. It will be five years now this Thanksgiving that he took his life. He left behind a 20 year old daughter, a grandson, both parents and two brothers. Like Ralph he was going through a troubled time.

I think an important message suicide carries......and likely a lot of victims don't realize at the time, is that they are saying is the life they share with their families and friends is not valuable enough to tip the scales to the side of wanting to live.

I've been through the hurt, and then the anger, and now I'm at peace with my brothers choice. I do wish he had decided to hang around so we could all grow old together.

My parents, my now 25 year old neice and her 6 year old son seem to be doing fine but if the converstion ever drifts to anything about my brother it becomes a very painful time.

My neice is scared for life.

I think of Ralph's children and their lives being scared by their fathers suicide for the next 70 or 80 years. It's a very selfish act.

Eric Frei · 15th June 2007, 11:26 AM

Thanks TreeCo.

I'm with you, I do not see such a dramatic and selfish act as courageous ... think of those left behind.

But in saying that I dont condemn those who chose that path, yes it's sad, and a surprise to most involved, but it's an illness IMHO.

Eric Frei · 17th June 2007, 10:06 AM

It was all a cruel hoax.

http://www.????????????.com/showthread.php?t=49906

Jeff Darby · 17th June 2007, 11:10 AM

I just posted my responce to this on AS,. Glad he's alive...but pissed off with what went on!!

mdvaden · 20th June 2007, 07:14 PM

Looks like it was deleted there

For the real episodes where someone takes the selfish route of suicide, here's a good verse for those who might think its brave...

Quote:

1 Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel .
KJV

The word "infidel" is translated from the Greek work "apistos" and means "unbeliever". "pistos" means believing, and coupled with then Greek negative article "a" means the opposite of believing. The verse is not just saying that someone who does not provide for their own is an unbeliever - its saying that they are worse than an unbeliever.

At least if someone has a wife or kids who need support, then suicide is unbelief, selfish and irresponsible. A form of weakness and failure. Nothing successful about it.

That's an excellent verse for anyone contemplating suicide to think about.

14th June 2007, 05:13 PM	#1
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Begleytree at AS has passed away For those who dont know this is the link to the AS thread. http://www.????????????.com/showthread.php?t=49775 I've only been a member at AS for around 3 years or so, had my moments with Ralph but they always worked out. He's an upfront guy, has his say and that's that. He was a moderator there ever since I knew, often we had chats in the off topic area about all sorts of stuff, he was an OK guy. Anyway, he's gone now, suicide apparently, single gunshot wound to the head ... not long after his wife served up the divorce papers. Ralph is survived by his son Tyler (15), son Tommy (12), daughter Emily (10), son Brian (6), ex-wife Gale, and his current wife Shannon. I suggest for those of you who knew him to take some time out and read the whole thread over there. I was surprised to read of other suicides in families of members. It's something that I've never known of only read in the papers here. Truly a sad day, I'll miss ole Ralph, RIP mate. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

14th June 2007, 07:47 PM	#2
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,031	Rip Truly sad to hear about this,It's ashame that some can not see past the storm to the fair weather ahead. RIP Ralph(begleytree) __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

14th June 2007, 09:43 PM	#3
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,697	Not good news,i got along ok with Ralph,I wish the best for his family. __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

15th June 2007, 09:59 AM	#7
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	TreeCo Correct me if I'm wrong but you speak with experience, if you care to expand on that please do. I know it's a sensative area that many of us will never know or understand. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

15th June 2007, 11:26 AM	#9
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Thanks TreeCo. I'm with you, I do not see such a dramatic and selfish act as courageous ... think of those left behind. But in saying that I dont condemn those who chose that path, yes it's sad, and a surprise to most involved, but it's an illness IMHO. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

15th June 2007, 05:20 AM	#4
TreeCo Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 307	My opinion is that Ralph took the coward's way out and has done permanent emotional damage to those he left behind. Just think what his parents and children are going through right now. It's hard to feel sorry for him but I still do.

15th June 2007, 07:58 AM	#5
Tim Craig Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 132	TreeCo, I respect what you have to say most of the time, but on this issue I could'nt disagree more. Commiting suicide is one of the bravest things a person can do, there is nothind cowardly about it whatsoever. The willpower that is needed to perform this act is colossal, your glib remark is one of the oldest cliches known to humankind, and like most other tired old sayings, it is worthless. i am not looking for an argument, just expressing an opinion. I am sorry for this guy and his family's loss.

15th June 2007, 10:53 AM	#8
TreeCo Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 307	Being exposed to suicide doesn't make it any easier to understand. I lost my brother to suicide. It will be five years now this Thanksgiving that he took his life. He left behind a 20 year old daughter, a grandson, both parents and two brothers. Like Ralph he was going through a troubled time. I think an important message suicide carries......and likely a lot of victims don't realize at the time, is that they are saying is the life they share with their families and friends is not valuable enough to tip the scales to the side of wanting to live. I've been through the hurt, and then the anger, and now I'm at peace with my brothers choice. I do wish he had decided to hang around so we could all grow old together. My parents, my now 25 year old neice and her 6 year old son seem to be doing fine but if the converstion ever drifts to anything about my brother it becomes a very painful time. My neice is scared for life. I think of Ralph's children and their lives being scared by their fathers suicide for the next 70 or 80 years. It's a very selfish act.

17th June 2007, 10:06 AM	#10
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	It was all a cruel hoax. http://www.????????????.com/showthread.php?t=49906 __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

17th June 2007, 11:10 AM	#11
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,031	I just posted my responce to this on AS,. Glad he's alive...but pissed off with what went on!! __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

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