3 yrs since we lost Lanza Lad ( the board creator)

[tommy dee]

for anyone who remembers, and f course for newbies who didnt know him, Lanza built this board.  He was also the father to Young Thomas.

three years ago today I think

 

this was written at the time

GOOD NIGHT LANZA LAD

Deeply saddened to inform all of the passing of Phil Gaines, aka Lanza/Lanzalad.

As some will know, Phil had been battling cancer with all his might for the past few years. the ups and downs have been enormous. sometimes when we spoke I was convinced it would be our last chat ever, he could hardly breathe to finish a sentence. a week later he was up and atom, as they say. but the past few months really took their toll on him as cancer did its evil deed.

Several others here were in regular contact too, and we all saw him come back, and post, and do the admin and enjoy the board even quite recently. all will confirm that the last few weeks were fAR from a comfortable period and that, sadly, his passing will in many ways have been a relief to him

Phil was fortunate to have a wonderful wife who has been his real strength these past years. She is a strong woman by nature but the series of shocks regarding his health hurt her deeply, this as together they introduced Little Thomas into the world, a little man who quickly became the apple of Phil's eye.

In the last few weeks, two pals in the UK have been in regular contact and visits which I know cheered him up no end. I wont name as thats their business but they are welcome, please, to do so, and from all of us who couldnt, a big thank you for the effort.

WE ALL HAVE MEMORIES OF PHIL,

Where ever he is, the bald northern git with a heart of gold, I hope he has a laptop , and is reading this. I will probably get a Pm later that will begin.. "yeah but Tommy, the thing is...." cos that was his start to most discussions.

Love to his family, and miss ya mate

Tommy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jambo]

1 hour ago, tommy dee said:

for anyone who remembers, and f course for newbies who didnt know him, Lanza built this board.  He was also the father to Young Thomas.

three years ago today I think

 

this was written at the time

GOOD NIGHT LANZA LAD

Deeply saddened to inform all of the passing of Phil Gaines, aka Lanza/Lanzalad.

As some will know, Phil had been battling cancer with all his might for the past few years. the ups and downs have been enormous. sometimes when we spoke I was convinced it would be our last chat ever, he could hardly breathe to finish a sentence. a week later he was up and atom, as they say. but the past few months really took their toll on him as cancer did its evil deed.

Several others here were in regular contact too, and we all saw him come back, and post, and do the admin and enjoy the board even quite recently. all will confirm that the last few weeks were fAR from a comfortable period and that, sadly, his passing will in many ways have been a relief to him

Phil was fortunate to have a wonderful wife who has been his real strength these past years. She is a strong woman by nature but the series of shocks regarding his health hurt her deeply, this as together they introduced Little Thomas into the world, a little man who quickly became the apple of Phil's eye.

In the last few weeks, two pals in the UK have been in regular contact and visits which I know cheered him up no end. I wont name as thats their business but they are welcome, please, to do so, and from all of us who couldnt, a big thank you for the effort.

WE ALL HAVE MEMORIES OF PHIL,

Where ever he is, the bald northern git with a heart of gold, I hope he has a laptop , and is reading this. I will probably get a Pm later that will begin.. "yeah but Tommy, the thing is...." cos that was his start to most discussions.

Love to his family, and miss ya mate

Tommy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice one Tom.

Lanza helped me on several occasions and refused to take any monetary consideration for his time and expertise. The best I could do was to leave a bottle which I hope he enjoyed.

A real nice guy.

 

[Stillearly]

It's mental how quickly that time has passed ... 

I hope his wife and son are doing well 

[Krapow]

I remember Lanza rang me about a week or so before he passed.

I think that's what he was doing, ringing his mates, saying goodbye.

What a fucking thing to have to do, horrendous.

I especially remember it because after our conversation, there was a pause, then he said okay mate, i'm gonna go here. Then there was a bigger pause, a horrible pause as we both knew we wouldn't ever talk to eachother again. I didn't know what to say, i didn't want the conversation to end, as i knew it was the last time i'd speak to him, yet i knew i had to, i couldn't keep him on the phone.

I came off the phone just numb, think i went and gave my wife and daughter a great big hug, then immediately felt guilty for doing that.

I also remember @Thinkingallowed coming back to 24/7 and what he did for Puang, how he organised the collection etc where we contributed to help when she needed it. It also didn't surprise me in the least he did that, such is the kinda person he is.

It's more reason why i just live and enjoy my life as much as possible whilst i still can, as you just don't know what's round the corner. Cancer is a bastard!

[Horizondave]

Yes, it is 3 years since Phil passed on, that in itself seems difficult to realise. It feels like only a short time ago that I was having regular conversations with him and popping up to see him and Puang with Thomas, just a baby at that time.

I am still driving around in his car that he asked me to buy for £600 to help out with money for Puang. I was happy to help but he is probably having a chuckle up above, that it has cost me mega bucks to fix all that was wrong with it. He certainly was a character and I miss him, I regularly look back at photos on Facebook, which are still there for anybody to view. 

Even my daughter, when looking at the moon, says that Uncle Phil is up there looking down on us. Always remember the great times we had in the Rockhouse which is where I met him. A guy who would do anything for you, always happy to help and always with a smile. Miss you mate.

 

 

[Nightcrawler]

We owe a lot to him. 

Gone too soon

RiP Philx

[Lantern]

Gone too soon, but not forgotten. RIP Phil. 

[boydeste]

Another robbed by the big C way too young. 

RIP Phil.

[Yessongs]

Agree, sad for him and his Wife and Son. 

[Golfingboy]

So cruel for the man who created this board and kept many of us in contact(I was only on Secrets as many others surely were) to pass so soon after it took off. Like Striderman, Steelers, and a few others I’m forgetting, seemed universally liked by everyone, which let’s be honest, is not a common thing on these boards

[KhunDon]

The wife and I met Phil and Puang in Birmingham Temple when we were doing passport or something for our son and Puang was heavily pregnant with Tommy. It really hurt to hear later of his diagnosis and later, of his passing. 

We were in contact with Puang via another ex forum member and sent Puang money on Christmas’s and on Tommys birthday’s and some for Puang to treat herself in what must have been an extremely difficult time for her. 
We later tried to send her a large box of new cloths and shoes etc for Tommy and her older son, but for some reason she lost touch, maybe when she moved, I don’t know. 

We do however, have some pictures of Tommy playing on his scooter outside her new home, but no answers to our emails. 
Still, just seeing pictures of little Tommy smiling and playing, reminds me of just how precious memories are, as I remember our son doing exactly the same at that age. 

When Phil told me he was starting a Thailand forum back then and Thailand 247 went live 2 days later, I became a member straight away. I hope he knows just how much the forum has grown and just how many of us enjoy it as a source of information on everything Thai and talking to many others on the forum. 
 

Thanks Phil, your memory lives on for me, every time I visit 247. 
 

[galenkia]

Had many a good afternoon or evening with him in the Rockhouse.

Time goes by so fast.

Hope his family are okay.

[tommy dee]

14 hours ago, KhunDon said:

The wife and I met Phil and Puang in Birmingham Temple when we were doing passport or something for our son and Puang was heavily pregnant with Tommy. It really hurt to hear later of his diagnosis and later, of his passing. 

We were in contact with Puang via another ex forum member and sent Puang money on Christmas’s and on Tommys birthday’s and some for Puang to treat herself in what must have been an extremely difficult time for her. 
We later tried to send her a large box of new cloths and shoes etc for Tommy and her older son, but for some reason she lost touch, maybe when she moved, I don’t know. 

We do however, have some pictures of Tommy playing on his scooter outside her new home, but no answers to our emails. 
Still, just seeing pictures of little Tommy smiling and playing, reminds me of just how precious memories are, as I remember our son doing exactly the same at that age. 

When Phil told me he was starting a Thailand forum back then and Thailand 247 went live 2 days later, I became a member straight away. I hope he knows just how much the forum has grown and just how many of us enjoy it as a source of information on everything Thai and talking to many others on the forum. 
 

Thanks Phil, your memory lives on for me, every time I visit 247. 
 

there was a devil of an issue when Phil died.  blood family resented, some claiming they should even get the house.  but I think Puang sold and moved on to stabilise here and Thomas's life

 

she is on FB and reguarly so maybe contact her there to get back together again.  she appears to be doing very well.  she, her elder son and THomas are thriving.  Phil would have been proud

[Lantern]

^ Good news Tommy. Glad she and young Tom are doing fine.

Edited August 25, 2023 by Lantern

[roomark]

RIP Phil

I never met him , but had some decent conversations with him on the boards over the years .

I'm glad his wife and son are OK 

 

[galenkia]

12 minutes ago, roomark said:

RIP Phil

I never met him , but had some decent conversations with him on the boards over the years .

I'm glad his wife and son are OK 

 

Good to see you posting again mate.

[roomark]

On 8/25/2023 at 8:25 AM, galenkia said:

Good to see you posting again mate.

Hiya pal.

Yeah kinda left Thailand on the back-burner for a bit and my log on details are on this old phone I've been too lazy to send for another password to set it up on my new phone I will though.I hope you are still good...

Edit finally signed in in my new phone only took me 6 months🤣🤣 😊

Edited August 27, 2023 by roomark

[boydeste]

14 hours ago, roomark said:

Hiya pal.

Yeah kinda left Thailand on the back-burner for a bit and my log on details are on this old phone I've been too lazy to send for another password to set it up on my new phone I will though.I hope you are still good...

Edit finally signed in in my new phone only took me 6 months🤣🤣 😊

Good effort mate. 

[Butch]

I remember sitting next to Phil on an LKM GoGo Bar, where he was discussing opening up a new forum. I only met him once, but was taken aback by his kindness and how he came across as a gentle giant of a guy.

It's heartwarming to know that his family are doing well. I'm sure his wife and son will do him proud.

To echo the sentiments here. Another one taken too soon by the big C.

RIP Phil.