Vale Coons

John Cooney, Vale Ol'Mate Vale

You were a great guy, a good friend with a rich sense of humour. 

Go softly, into that long night mate. 

There are a few points I would like to chisel in the granite, never to be forgotten. Coons! I'll never forget you.Can I briefly point out some facts about John which you may not know... I think we lost touch a little when you moved to NZ but prior to that, on reflection, we had riotous moments. I recall very clearly when you offered me a trip to the "Le Mans" 24 hours race in France. We drove down to the race in your new Citroen. John had a pass into the pits and very quickly arranged for me to work in the pits and help out his friends who were racing under "Lloyds of London" Insurance Group. We shared fuel costs into France via Calais. It was an unforgettable experience, thank you John. 

The second stand out experience was joining you in London a few years later when I knocked on your door looking for a place to sleep. "No worries mate, stay as long as you want!" Well I didn't invade his little bed-sit for a day but he was happy with me staying with him for 2 weeks! Then there was the "Brick Experience"! I was a fairly serious marathon runner and I was used to running 10km a day around Hyde Park. After 3 or 4 days of watching me, he asked to join in! The next thing I know, John is off and running a few km's a day. The odd thing is that he picked up a house brick and used it to jog, holding the brick in his left hand. "I hope it can take a few pounds off me!" I'm not sure it ever did but he kept at it. His biceps got bigger, I must say!!

I remember "Coons" as a good mate who helped me out of trouble two or three times. He let me flop down on the floor of his room in London when I just arrived there.  

Perhaps more than anything, old mate, was your response to my short stories. You were so enthusiastic! You loved my printed story titled " The Things I miss about Melbourne" which I wrote in March 2016. You always maintained that it was the best article ever written about Melbourne.

Thank you John, I will never forget your care and kindness. Vale 

John A Wilson 

Gold Coast 2023