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News

It's with great regret that I mention here that an email has been received by VRT informing us that Spinningspark is no longer with us. I send my heartfelt condolences to his daughter and other family members, and would like them to know that I, like many others, will greatly miss his contributions here. Justlettersandnumbers (talk) 20:43, 22 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

• My sincere condolences. Spinningspark was always a great pleasure to collaborate with, and will be greatly missed. Eddie891 ^Talk _Work 21:36, 22 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Condolences to his friends and family. Spinningspark was a great contributor to Wikipedia, and will be missed. :( Tails Wx 21:53, 22 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• I worked alongside Spinningspark with great delight through the Bacon Challenges starting back in 2009. What a fun time, and some terrific articles and images were added to our beloved encyclopedia through his and the rest of our efforts. Such a nice guy he was! In loving tribute, one of the images we found. (no, it's not Sparky...but it should be!) Geoff | ^{Who, me?} 22:45, 22 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

  

• Easily the contributor that I most admired. catslash (talk) 22:53, 22 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• He was a great and gentle mentor. Constant314 (talk) 22:55, 22 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• We ended up in the same place many times. Always immense technical contributions by Spinningspark. North8000 (talk) 01:47, 23 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• It is sad to lose any good contributor but losing Spinningspark will leave a particularly large gap in the technical areas where he often worked. Johnuniq (talk) 03:24, 23 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• This is a shock for me. I had multiple positive interactions with Spinningspark, mostly related to deletion. Rest in peace. JavaHurricane 09:17, 23 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Very sad news about an excellent editor and a very decent human being. Condolences to his family and friends. -- Euryalus (talk) 11:14, 23 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Condolences to the family of a wonderful contributor, who I rarely interacted with but always admired. ~~ AirshipJungleman29 (talk) 13:10, 23 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• SpinningSpark was a bright light in electrical engineering topics—a cheerfully expert colleague. He will be missed. Binksternet (talk) 13:26, 23 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• RIP, it's always sad to lose an experienced editor ... our paths didn't cross much but it was fun when they did. Graham87 14:50, 23 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Oh Spinningspark, you will be missed greatly. We go back a long way, don't we? My thoughts are with your family and friends, and with us, because you are leaving a hole in our collective collaborative body. Drmies (talk) 15:46, 23 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Such sad news. Spinningspark was an asset to WikiP. My deepest condolences to his friends and family. MarnetteD|Talk 15:53, 23 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• What a loss. I always enjoyed our interactions. Love to those who knew them well. Star Mississippi 20:36, 24 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• He was among the best, may he and his works never be forgotten. Wikipedia and its editors have lost a brilliant editor, and an even greater friend. 🏵️Etrius ( Us) 00:07, 25 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• I can't remember exactly but suspect he turned me purple. Godspeed to Spinningspark and deepest condolences to friends and family. starship.paint (exalt) 03:42, 26 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• One of those familiar names whose absence will be noticed. CMD (talk) 15:51, 26 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• My deepest condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. M.Bitton (talk) 16:12, 26 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Very sad to hear this upsetting news. My condolences to his family and friends. echidnaLives - talk - edits 23:41, 26 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• I don't recall us interacting much, but I'm saddened by his loss nevertheless. My condolences to those who were close to him. Kurtis ^(talk) 13:08, 28 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Another treasure of an editor lost to us. Every edit he made was a step forward for the encyclopedia. BD2412 T 18:31, 28 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• A very sad loss. We also go back a while; he was always helpful and polite even when I got things wrong. Certes (talk) 13:56, 1 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• that was totally unexpected. I had seen you active like a week ago. May your soul rest in peace old friend. Condolences to the family and loved ones. @Justlettersandnumbers: did you happen to get the cause of the death? —usernamekiran (talk) 14:13, 1 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
  • Usernamekiran, the email didn't specify the cause. It did say that it was sudden and unexpected, and came as a great shock to the family (to whom I again send my condolences); it happened on 17 February 2023. Justlettersandnumbers (talk) 19:57, 1 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Condolences to his family and friends. JoJo Anthrax (talk) 19:19, 1 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• I just found out about this. He will be very much missed. --Tryptofish (talk) 20:54, 1 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• I'm really sorry to hear about the death of Spinningspark. I worked with Spinningspark on a number of GA reviews. I considered him an excellent editor and will be sorely missed. His family has my condolences. scope_creep^Talk 23:45, 1 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Deepest condolences to his family friends and loved ones. Memory eternal! -Ad Orientem (talk) 02:55, 2 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• This is a shock! I'm used to seeing you on Wikipedia every day. I'm going to miss you and your contributions. Peace to your family. Liz ^{Read! Talk!} 03:35, 3 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Your ability to deal with controversial subjects was often applauded. You and your contributions will remain unforgettable. Capitals00 (talk) 17:36, 6 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• My condolences to your family. ^Thanks,L3X1 ◊distænt write◊ 17:10, 7 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Any interaction I have had with Spinningspark was nothing but pleasant and always taught me something. Maybe his name be remembered for a blessing and let his contributions continue to be a light unto the world. TartarTorte 02:54, 8 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• RIP, my condolences to his family. —Locke Cole • t • c 04:46, 11 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• This is very sad to hear, especially after signing his guestbook just 3 months ago. May he and his family find peace. Johnson524 (Talk!) 22:50, 12 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• A very good and knowledgeable editor and encyclopedist. He will be much missed and long remembered. Chiswick Chap (talk) 14:45, 14 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• RIP and condolences. Double sharp (talk) 05:09, 30 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• An extremely knowledgeable volunteer who will be greatly missed. Even though our areas of work were almost entirely disjoint, I saw his username around a lot. In our few interactions I found him to get straight to the point and always be fundamentally correct. — Bilorv (talk) 22:56, 4 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Rest in peace. You've done wonders to Wikipedia. CactiStaccingCrane (talk) 13:01, 16 May 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Really solid work. Always available to teach and to learn. I will miss this man. ~Kvng (talk) 02:20, 3 July 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Damn, I just learned this today. I saw the name and thought 'hey I haven't seen them edit in while' and well... here we are. You were one of the good ones. Headbomb {t · c · p · b} 17:50, 29 July 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• I'm not sure how I missed this news. I was just wondering why I hadn't seen you editing for a while, and then found this sad news. RIP, and thank you for the interactions we had during your time here. Steel1943 (talk) 04:44, 19 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

I've written a quick entry for Spinningspark at the deceased Wikipedians page; as an admin and prolific editor, I thought he deserved one. As noted above I didn't know him that well, so any work on it would be appreciated. Graham87 10:59, 28 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

It's always a sad day when an established editor dies. May you rest in peace, and my condolences are with your family. {{ping|ClydeFranklin}} (t/c) 21:30, 6 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Spinningspark's funeral service was held at West Herts Crematorium, Watford South Chapel, on March 15, 2023. His family have asked that I share the link to view the service online (login PIN 224-1680), although I have been advised that the link will stop working within the next couple of days. A significant portion of the eulogy is devoted to both Spinningspark's work on Wikipedia and the outpouring of remembrances from our community following his death (in the video at 7:30-12:10). —Emufarmers^(T/C) 16:55, 20 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Pings for everyone who left a message on this page (there are so many of you!): Justlettersandnumbers Justlettersandnumbers Tails Geoff catslash Constant314 North8000 Johnuniq Java Euryalus ~~ AirshipJungleman29 Binksternet Graham Drmies MarnetteD Star Etrius starship CMD M.Bitton echidnaLives Kurtis BD2412 Certes usernamekiran JoJo Anthrax Tryptofish scope_creep Ad Orientem Liz Capitals00 L3X1 Tartar Locke Cole Johnson524 Chiswick Chap ClydeFranklin

—Emufarmers^(T/C) 03:19, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

It truly "shows the mark of a man" indeed. Thank you to his loved ones for givng us access, and @Emufarmers for making sure we all saw it. What a loss. Star Mississippi 13:44, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for that, a very moving service. —Locke Cole • t • c 03:57, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed, thanks! I agree with the service as well: SpinningSpark will be remembered. His contributions are excellent as well; some I think that stand out are his FAs and GAs–neat work! The service was very heart-touching and honestly, I was on the verge of tears watching it. Tails Wx 04:21, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

• @Emufarmers: Thanks for posting that. scope_creep^Talk 11:59, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Glad to hear this! Capitals00 (talk) 12:47, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• Many thanks, @Emufarmers:! A very moving and heartfelt service. I am glad to have been able to see. Cheers always! Geoff | ^{Who, me?} 15:07, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]
• That was lovely. Thank you for posting this. Geoff, User:scope creep, I'm honored to have been quoted with the two of you. Yes, those bacon challenges--Colin and I first bonded, I think, over Danish bacon. Life is fleeting, isn't it. Drmies (talk) 15:19, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

I was sad to hear to it and it was unexpected. I think that it is the nature of it. Life is fleeting. I'm glad the minister mentioned his work on WP. It was really important to him. Danish Bacon was a standard advertisement in the uk when I was growing up, for what must been more than 20 years. "Have a Danish". I worked on his big telegraph article Electrical telegraphy in the United Kingdom, took it through GA. He was wanting it FA'd which I will do for him. scope_creep^Talk 15:36, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

@Scope creep I'm not intricately familiar with what is needed for FA, but please count me in to help with whatever you need to get it there. However I'm hungry so you're currently in the "mean" category for talking about food that isn't on my plate :-D Star Mississippi 16:41, 21 March 2023 (UTC)[reply]

That is where my sister and my father were cremated. It feels very close to home. I'm sorry the link has expired. Guy (help! - typo?) 11:08, 29 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]

i just came to read your response to my latest inquiry and i was shocked to learn of your passing.

i waited a few weeks to read your reply because i didnt want to keep bugging you and i knew i would think of something else to ask you once i got here.

i had a question, i knew i could always ask you, and even though i often felt like i was imposing, never once were you impatient with me.

i am grateful for the short time i was able to learn from you.

i dont even know how to begin trying to find another editor that will put up with all my questions and answer them as selflessly as you did.

you clearly had an impact on alot of different people, and you will be greatly missed by many.

i pray that you are truly in a better place, rest in peace my friend. Snarevox (talk) 08:40, 20 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Rest in peace! Your handsomely edits on the encyclopedia will be remembered. – Hamid Hassani (talk) 19:15, 15 June 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Muchas gracias. Albert 2.152.3.238 (talk) 19:33, 20 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

I echo the sentiments of others. You will be missed. All the best: Rich Farmbrough 18:44, 10 January 2024 (UTC).[reply]

I was just showing a couple of SpinningSpark's electronics articles to my daughter, who is an electronics engineer, and came here to find what he had been working on recently. I am very sorry to hear the bad news; SpinningSpark was an outstanding contributor. Mike Christie (talk - contribs - library) 18:35, 23 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure why I didn't post a notice when you passed - but I've not forgotten you. AfD is a lot quieter these days, but many years ago it was a raging torrent of deletionists and it felt like you and I were among the few inclusionists. It was also good that you held the spirit of WP above personal prejudice, when so many others, me included struggle with it. Should your friends or family view this message I hope it brings them a little comfort. RIP. Desertarun (talk) 19:47, 12 June 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Today we enjoy "your" Golding Bird, with thanks for what you left us. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:46, 9 December 2024 (UTC)[reply]