Last night, after returning home from the pub, I learned that my good mate, John Gough had took his own life. I was shocked. I first met Goughy on Kibbutz Dovrat in Israel on my second visit about 27 years ago. They were happy days, smoking noblesse cigs, drinking Gold Star while playing Cardinal Puff, dealing with arak attacks, partying in the bomb shelters, dressing up for purim and occasionally taking in some history at such amazing places like the Dead Sea and Masada. Fond memories indeed. A few of us stayed in touch on returning to the UK but when the reunions stopped shortly after attending the Pink Floyd Pulse Tour with Steve, Susie and Goughy, I remained in touch with him for a good part of the 90s. We had some good times, chilling to Pink Floyd, Banco De Gaia, and playing multiplayer Doom, Halo and Tiger Woods golf on a projector. (Amazing in those days), not forgetting Red Dwarf. As the 90s drew to an end the monthly sessions also stopped and we became more distant as we got on with our lives. Then Facebook came along in 2004 and people started getting in touch once again, albeit just online. I have always looked up to Goughy not just because he was tall and possibly imposing to strangers, but because I respected his advice as a mate. Just little tiny things used to pop out like when he introduced his cat to me, called Noggin: With cats yer gotta rough em up, rub their tummies and be firm, show em whos boss, and they will love yer for it!. Its funny how certain memories stick in your head. On Sunday 25th May I attended the first reunion in about 24 years that brought all those precious kibbutz memories flooding back. It was so great to see everyone again but it was missing some people I really wanted to catch up with including Goughy. Tom, who was at the reunion, recently mentioned how John being John wouldnt want to burden anybody and ask for help. How true this was. Im really gonna miss you dude and finding it hard imagining a world without you in it. RIP buddy.
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 18:46:27 +0000