I have not been in the Sandbox for a few years, so it was with great sadness that I just read Rob's note that my friend Garry Douglas had passed away almost two years ago. I met Gary online and was once able to visit him in person in London while I was there on business. Garry was a funny and kind person. During my visit we went to Modeller's Loft, Alan Hall's store, where I was able to capture a few HTF Tommy Gunn and Action Man pieces. We also decided one day to make our way to Greenwich observatory, on one of the hottest days in May that had been recorded. We decided to stop at every pub along the way both to and from. By evening, after a few more pints with dinner, we found ourselves back in London trying to get to my hotel. The problem was that we were quite drunk so that even the simplicity of the Underground's Circle Line was a challenge, and we were hopelessly misplaced on it for what seemed like a couple hours. Garry informed me that as much as he had ever had to drink, I was the first to manage to get him lost on that line, though he had lived in London his entire life.
I appreciated Garry as a friend and we exchanged emails over the years. Increases in my responsibilities at my job over the past few years pulled me away from this hobby ( though I still have 150+ vintage 12" figures). Our emails became less frequent and in retrospect I remember thinking a couple years ago that he must be busy as well...
I will miss my friend, and I hope that in Heaven he has had a chance to meet up with my other dear departed friend and collector, Steve Feezor. We had great fun in the day. My world is noticeably less rich without them.
Greg "ACTIONman" Eaton 😪. (***@hotmail.com)