Lawrence Hoy

Stu160 · Post by **Stu160** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:54 am

Having read all of this,there really is nothing more I think I can add.
The most thoughtfull,focused man I have ever had the pleasure to meet.
I cant really put into words how much Anne ,me and the kids will miss him.

Always had time and a smiling face for everyone.

Stuart

Fluoxetine · Post by **Fluoxetine** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:44 am

What can I say...Devastating news...

Can't believe it...

I first met Lawrence, along with many of the other SE faithful, during the trip to the Lotus show at Donington back in 2002...

Over the following few years he encouraged me to take to the track (as he did with many others), and when I expressed an interest in racing a Caterham in 2004, he was so supportive and helpful that he convinced me to take the plunge...

In the months that followed, he went above and beyond any expectations I may have had, and almost single handedly built my car for me (I hardly knew one end of a spanner from the other!), before going on to provide guidance and advice over the course of the race and hillclimb season...

It was an amazing gesture of friendship, and I'll always be grateful for all his help...As others have said, Lawrence was more than generous with his time and vast knowledge...

One of my favourite memories of Lawrence, is chasing him around a soaking wet KH back in 2004 - Him in the k powered 7, and me in my Academy car...He had double the power, but stiff suspension / worn 'R' tyres...I had a decent wet setup / tyres, so could stick with him in the twisties...

We circulated for 20-30 minutes on a quiet track, never more than a few car lengths apart...Huge lairy oversteer at times, but always safe and sensible...

When we pitted, the grins on both our faces said it all...Lawrence deemed it to be 'great fun'...

Couldn't have put it better myself...

I fully intend to be there tomorrow.

Ross.

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:16 pm

I'm quite annoyed at having missed this until now.

What to say....?

All i can really add to what's been said already is that I think it says a great deal about a man that I've met so infrequently that I'm quite as moved to hear about his passing. I feel we've been cheated out of a great S_E'er, a great se7er and a great friend. My heartfelt condlensces go out to his family.

Greg

Digital · Post by **Digital** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:20 pm

Tragic news, my condolences to Lawrence's family and many friends. Sadly I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but it's very clear reading this thread that SE has lost a dear friend

Jamie

tut · Post by **tut** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:35 pm

There was no posting of Lawrence's condition on the Forum, as he wanted to tell friends personally, so there would have been a lot of members who knew nothing of it until Robins posting of his death on Tuesday.

I had the first e-mail from him on the 20th October, but it went so quickly from there. He started Chemo on the 30th, but it was already too late, and had spread to his lungs and kidneys.

The only consolation that I have been able to take from it is that it was over quite quickly, and he did not linger on as I have seen other friends do.

I can not be there tomorrow for his funeral, I said goodbye to him two weeks ago, but I know a lot of his friends will be there to see him on his way.

tut

jason · Post by **jason** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 5:50 pm

My greatest regret is not taking the opportunity to say good-bye.

We had the usual Tues night at Lawrence's just 3 wks ago... and we all laughed, took the piss, all the usual stuff - despite everything. I take solace in believing that 'normal' on that Tues (as any Tues) was best. Was good to see his smile.

I hoped there'd be another chance; but I was wrong.

zilspeed · Post by **zilspeed** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:06 pm

Jason

I don't post in here very often - I'm only a member at Lawrence's behest some years ago (poignant or what).

Anyway, my point is that you never say goodbye to someone if you know that what has just happened is actually going to happen. You just enjoy the time left exactly as you did.

As others have said - and I have read every post in great detail - Lawrence will never be forgotten. Not if anyone who ever knew him has anything to do with it. As is right.

bertieduff · Post by **bertieduff** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:17 pm

Just caught up with this, and am deeply saddened.

I didn't know Lawrence personally, but, rightly or wrongly, you form a picture of someone from what they post. His were always knowledgeable, interesting and well balanced.

I looked forward to meeting him, and am sorry I won't have that chance.

Condolences to all involved.

skellyjohn · Post by **skellyjohn** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:49 am

I'm another one who's just spotted this thread.

When I first found this site, I raved on about how helpful some of the members were and none more than Lawrence. I never met him in person to thank him for all the advice he gave me. I'm sure he'll be sorely missed by many.

Skyenet · Post by **Skyenet** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:20 am

So sad to hear of this news

I have lots of great memories of Lawrence and his generosity and wit.

He was a great support to me during a bad time in my life and I just wish I could have been the same for him.

campbell wrote:
He was so bloody direct but yet you always went back for more, cos you knew he knew what he was talking about. And if he didn't...he didn't talk about it

There may be a few more of these stories so brace yourselves...

During the summer I got an email from Lawrence wanting to buy a Camcorder and Bullet camera system I had. I got all the gear out and charged it up. Wired it up so I could show him it working and discovered that the bullet camera was only working in Black and white for some weird reason. Emailed Lawrence to let him know and offer him the system with the bullet camera at no charge because of the apparent fault. A few days later I received the following reply.

Hi Iain

I read this and then my mind went blank

I really do hate decision making and having made one you then asked me to make another
Result was instant freeze frame

Where do we go from here?

Lawrence

The email took me a bit by surprise and I wasn't sure what to say and didn't actually manage a reply. I didn't forget about it and on a number of occasions over the past 6 months, the last only a couple of weeks ago, I called by his house when through Edinburgh direction. Never managed to get him in and thought I'd have better luck next time.

Genuinely sad that I never got to see him again. I had no idea about his illness until tonight and only by chance I came across this thread.

The moral of the story. Don't put things off, it may end up too late.

I first met Lawrence at an SE run to Kames. He was the only on of us that entered the autotest. That was the start of many fond memories. The way I remember Lawrence the best are at his garage, whether on Spanner & Sponge events, putting Ross's car together, Tinkering, Offering advice or giving Skye tips on how to clean his car.

and as many of us will remember him

Post by **campbell** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 2:04 am

Great images Iain.

Reminded me I need to do something before the funeral.

robin · Post by **robin** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:14 am

Fellow SErs, I have printed off your comments and pictures to pass on to Katrina today. See some of you later.

Robin

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 4:36 pm

For those that couldn't make it todays service was a moving tribute to Lawrence.

The size of the attendance illustarted just how many people's lives Lawrence had touched. The speech about Lawrence was fanatastic, and brought many a smile.

He will be sadly missed, but very fondly remembered by all who were lucky enough to know him.

GilesM · Post by **GilesM** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:02 pm

I've only just read this terrible news, very very sad.

The world has lost a good man, RIP Lawrence.

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:26 pm

Lawrence on holiday (FF6)! The only suprise to us all is that he was fixing his car and not one of the sheds!