big white tele

[superrock]

many here are familiar with bwt, aka dick matei.... he passed away on October 12, 2011, after an undoubtedly courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. i was merely an internet acquaintance, but felt obliged to mention his passing here as is custom. i sold him a couple guitars of mine which enabled me to buy my "dream" guitar, and as it turns out, mine were bucket list items for him.....:cry:

the reason he picked up the guitar, as related to me by his lovely widow, was because he wanted to learn every john denver song. as a young man, he did just that. fittingly, he passed away on the 14th anniversary of john's death.

we endured a canadian postal strike where for six weeks, we both thought we had lost our guitars to the breeze. he was always kind in our communications, and it struck me as funny at the time. in fact, he was suffering intensely... a testament to the character.... anyhow, it is a great loss for our loose global kinship in tone..... peace and be kind to each other, never know who's bucket list you might be working on.....:hiP

will i., aka superrock

[russ]

I was thinking of him the other day, as i hadn't seen him posting.
He made me laugh on several occasions.
Sad news...............

[Kitten Cannon]

Damn it. That's really sad - I knew he was fighting the cancer. I always liked him when he posted here -- seemed like a really good guy. RIP Dick.

[EelEye]

many here are familiar with bwt, aka dick matei.... he passed away on October 12, 2010, after an undoubtedly courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. i was merely an internet acquaintance, but felt obliged to mention his passing here as is custom. i sold him a couple guitars of mine which enabled me to buy my "dream" guitar, and as it turns out, mine were bucket list items for him.....:cry:

the reason he picked up the guitar, as related to me by his lovely widow, was because he wanted to learn every john denver song. as a young man, he did just that. fittingly, he passed away on the 14th anniversary of john's death.

we endured a canadian postal strike where for six weeks, we both thought we had lost our guitars to the breeze. he was always kind in our communications, and it struck me as funny at the time. in fact, he was suffering intensely... a testament to the character.... anyhow, it is a great loss for our loose global kinship in tone..... peace and be kind to each other, never know who's bucket list you might be working on.....:hiP

will i., aka superrock


I assume you meant October 12, 2011.

RIP

[nkjanssen]

That's terrible news. We'd done a few deals. He lived about 3 hours from me (and there aren't too many TGP members in this neck of the woods). Really nice guy. Very sad indeed.

[knockonwood]

Wow. I met Dick just the once, here in Okotoks Alberta. He was passing through, phoned me, and asked if I still wanted his Dual Professional. I met him and we chatted. Very nice nice guy who knew his gear VERY well - we had a kinship after that - he played country as do I, and every so often we would chat. He would even ask me how it was going with my wife, who had MS. I dont even recall telling him about that. Wish I had known him better.

[57Nomad]

That is very sad news. BWT shall be missed especially at the Canadian Guitar Forum. May he rest in Peace.

[eddie101]

many here are familiar with bwt, aka dick matei.... he passed away on October 12, 2010, after an undoubtedly courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. i was merely an internet acquaintance, but felt obliged to mention his passing here as is custom. i sold him a couple guitars of mine which enabled me to buy my "dream" guitar, and as it turns out, mine were bucket list items for him.....:cry:

the reason he picked up the guitar, as related to me by his lovely widow, was because he wanted to learn every john denver song. as a young man, he did just that. fittingly, he passed away on the 14th anniversary of john's death.

we endured a canadian postal strike where for six weeks, we both thought we had lost our guitars to the breeze. he was always kind in our communications, and it struck me as funny at the time. in fact, he was suffering intensely... a testament to the character.... anyhow, it is a great loss for our loose global kinship in tone..... peace and be kind to each other, never know who's bucket list you might be working on.....:hiP

will i., aka superrock


Although we've never met in person he was a nice kind man. I was hoping/praying that he wins that $%#&^ battle against cancer. Man, I'm truly sorry to hear this sad news. :facepalm:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:

Rest in peace, my friend.

[esoteric pete]

i remember when they found the lump on his pancreas and was going through his operations. really sad, RIP bigwhitetele!

i checked and it said he was logged in at 3:43 today...?

[Big White Tele]

RE: Logged in today: Hi, I was Dicks life partner. My name is Becky. We lived and worked together for over 30 years. Childhood sweethearts and business partners. I am sorting and sifting through his things. I knew he spent a lot of time here on the gear page. I hope knowone minds that I found my way to his spot here on the gear page. I knew he Loved this place and I can see why. Thanks forall the kind words; reminding me of all the goodness. Its been a tough journey. Though I'm not a player, I spent a lot of time packing gear and visiting music shops throughout northamerica with him. Gryphon and buffalo brothers were my favorites. Hope its ok to visit you all now and then. Love Becky

[swervin55]

Becky. So sorry for your loss. I had the opportunity to talk with Dick last fall when he was looking for a couple of fender cases. I knew then he was fighting the good fight and I knew then he was of good stock. So sad to hear its over. Best to you and everyone that was/is close.
Marvin (Edmonton).

[davetcan]

Deepest sympathy Becky. Although I never met him I know we've exchanged many comments both here and on Guitars Canada. I posted this info over there yesterday btw as I know he had done a few deals with the folks there and was very well thought of. Really sorry to hear this and I know you'll be most welcome at both sites.

take care,

Dave

[superrock]

I assume you meant October 12, 2011.

RIP

corrected, thanks...

[popinvasion]

god bless him, he was a really great guy.

[pickslide]

So sorry to hear about this. We were talking about some transactions a few months ago. My condolences.

[FlyingDutchman]

Wow...So sorry to hear about this Becky..I remember talking with him a bit in the Steve Jobs thread. Ugggh..Just really sad. Prayers sent!

[Neer]

RIP, good fellow.

[Big B]

RIP BWT. Becky, so sorry for your loss.

[mge80]

RIP. I praise his strength and courage right up to the end.

I also pray that you, Becky, find strength in his strength and wish you all the best.

Not surprisingly, one of the first things that comes to MY mind when thinking of Dick was the photos he posted of his beautiful Malamute.

Again, RIP Dick and my sincere condolences to Becky. And I, for one, would welcome you stopping by from time to time.

[eddie101]

RE: Logged in today: Hi, I was Dicks life partner. My name is Becky. We lived and worked together for over 30 years. Childhood sweethearts and business partners. I am sorting and sifting through his things. I knew he spent a lot of time here on the gear page. I hope knowone minds that I found my way to his spot here on the gear page. I knew he Loved this place and I can see why. Thanks forall the kind words; reminding me of all the goodness. Its been a tough journey. Though I'm not a player, I spent a lot of time packing gear and visiting music shops throughout northamerica with him. Gryphon and buffalo brothers were my favorites. Hope its ok to visit you all now and then. Love Becky

I am very sorry to hear about his passing. My deepest condolences to you, Becky. Please come visit us anytime you wish. Ed

[v-verb]

Sorry for your loss Becky. He sounds like he was a great guy

[nitehawk55]

Sorry on the loss of Dick , he and I did a couple deals a few years back....great fellow and I'll miss him just knowing he's no longer with us and yes I had been wondering about him lately too on how he was doing .

Strength to you Becky and thanks for logging on , it will be good to hear from you .

All the best ,

John in Ontario

[guitarist58]

I am very saddened to hear this. My heartfelt condolences to you Becky, and to all his friends and loved ones.

-Rocky
_

[GAT]

I'm so sorry to hear of this. RIP

[shooto]

very sad :(

[thewhit]

Becky.......Hopefully at some point you may find some comfort in spending some time on TGP.

There are many topics in and outside of music that would benefit from your participation. Very sorry for your loss.

Gary

[Big White Tele]

Thank-u all for all your kind thoughts in memory of Dick, and for making me feel most welcome here. It does bring a great amount of comfort to me. I have actually started looking around the threads and once I get better acquainted, you may just see me join in some of the conversations. This is an incredible place with some amazing people! Keep music alive everyone!
much love
Becky

[FlyingDutchman]

Thank-u all for all your kind thoughts in memory of Dick, and for making me feel most welcome here. It does bring a great amount of comfort to me. I have actually started looking around the threads and once I get better acquainted, you may just see me join in some of the conversations. This is an incredible place with some amazing people! Keep music alive everyone!
much love
Becky

Great to hear that you feel welcome here. I hope you decide to visit here on a regular basis and interact with some of us. Its a great community that really is like no other.

[Csapo]

Hi Becky. My condolences for your loss.

My path crossed briefly with Dick's while drooling over his Tuxedo Telecaster. It was always one of my ulitmate favorites. Dick was kind enough to sell it to me, via the emporium here on TGP. He was so concerned that it make its' way safely from Canada to California. It did arrive intact and please know that it is and will be cherished.

May he rest in peace.

John...

[Pete Faragher]

I just wanted to chime in here. I wanted to tell you Becky that you have my sincerest condolences.
I just saw this post and ....I'm a little in shock. I had quite a few back and forths with Dick on the Canadian Forum. Always was happy to read his posts.

Again very sorry for your loss. Our Forums will be a poorer place for his passing.

Pete

[Pa'ani]

Hi Becky, I'm truly sorry for your loss, heart felt condolences and prayers to you and your family.

[Ricman]

Dick holds the distinction of being the very first TGP member to ever comment on a Peenut Guy cartoon. With the weekly "first" posts of everyone trying to be first to post, he was literally the very first "first"!
Pm'd him a couple times and my estimation a first class guy.
Sorry to hear about this. He will be missed here.
Jim

[RussB]

I am so sorry to hear Dick has passed. He fought the good fight. The internet is unique whereas you can make a friend without actually ever meeting that person. Dick became such a person to me. He will be missed.

Becky, Thank you for posting and my deepest condolences to you

sincerely,
Russ Bertrand

[sanhozay]

beautiful opening post / beautiful thread. sadness from loss is unavoidable and but being kind to each other isn't. this post reminds me those choices make all the differences.

wonderful tribute to your friend.

[tvegas99]

much love going out to you Becky

RIP Big White Tele

[Dillow4092]

I remember reading his posts about fighting the cancer, he always seemed to be in good spirits, even cracking a joke about it. Really sad to hear about his passing. Life is to short everyone, live it gracefully...

[Axeplyr]

I am so sorry to hear Dick has passed. He fought the good fight. The internet is unique whereas you can make a friend without actually ever meeting that person. Dick became such a person to me. He will be missed.

Becky, Thank you for posting and my deepest condolences to you

sincerely,
Russ Bertrand

You nailed it. I never even communicated with Dick, but felt like I knew him thru his struggles. I'm saddened to find he passed, but it's comforting that Becky has posted under Dick's moniker. Almost as though Big White Tele lives on.

[RussB]

Today is BWT's birthday. We miss you