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682828 Posts in 27744 Topics by 4096 Members - Latest Member: MrSunshine July 03, 2025, 05:48:59 AM
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Author Topic: Les Chan...  (Read 12127 times)
Lonely Summer
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« Reply #25 on: December 16, 2012, 01:15:47 AM »

I never had the privilege to meet him, but I could tell he had a golden soul. Eternal memory Les, and may God bless your family and grant them peace.


That's exactly how I feel. I feel priveleged to have messaged him a few times on this board.
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Smilin Ed H
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« Reply #26 on: December 16, 2012, 02:37:49 AM »

RIP
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Moz from Oz
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« Reply #27 on: December 16, 2012, 02:46:35 AM »

I became Facebook friends with Les about 2 months ago. I messaged him to thank him for adding me and I asked him for some travel tips about his home town of San Fran and the PCH drive we are planning for our family holiday to the U.S next year. Not expecting much, he was kind enough to send me a wonderful reply with great ideas with more to follow. He seemed like a great guy. I'll definitely raise a glass for him when I'm in San Fran in March.
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southbay
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« Reply #28 on: December 16, 2012, 07:59:32 AM »

I am stunned and saddened. Les was a great guy, a friend in the Beach Boys world I first met over 20 years ago. I last saw him at Lake Tahoe on the C50 tour. The first time I met the Beach Boys, Les got me backstage. We'll miss you buddy.
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Steve Mayo
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« Reply #29 on: December 17, 2012, 06:48:02 AM »

damn....

R.I.P.
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bgas
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« Reply #30 on: December 17, 2012, 07:37:56 AM »

Update from Panayiotis: 

>>Hello Everyone---

This email is going to so many of you which I've talked to on the phone, or have emailed or have received emails from during the last few days...about Les Chan

I did want to provide a bit of an "update" with this email.

Earlier today, I took a ride over to the Chan household, along with Carl Mindling, to see Wendy and their daughters Marissa and Sarah.   Carl had told me he was planning to go the home with a homemade veggie lasagne for the Girls, and I told him that it might be a good opportunity for he and myself to talk to Wendy about all things regarding Les and his passing.

We arrived at the house, expecting to find sadness and the depression from the loss.  Yes, there is this, and there is definitely a void without Les being at the house, but we also found three beautiful and courageous women who were being strong and were so eager to tell us so many stories about so many things about Les, which Carl and myself had rarely heard about, or had forgotten over all of the years we had been friends. 

Wendy is wonderful and wanted me to thank everyone who has emailed (I will forward all of your emails to her and the girls), and went on to say how overwhelmed she and the girls are with the realization that so many of you (and so many others) loved Les so much.  The family has found so much strength in this, and to know that Les touched the lives of so many has made them very proud in this terrible time.   

Carl and I also came to find out, that Les, perhaps, thought things were "okay" with his health, in spite of his recent history of high blood pressure and chlorestral problems.  About 10 days ago, Les had gone to the emergency with Chest pains, and all the tests had come back as "negative", meaning the doctors could not see any problems.  But Les wasn't feeling well the last week, and had gone to an appointment on Friday to see a doctor face to face about his situation.  There were some tests to be done, which were going to take some time, and he told Wendy to "go home", kissed her goodbye, and would call her when the tests were done.  About 20 minutes later, Wendy received a phone call from one of the staff, asking her to come back to the Hospital.  During this 20 minutes, Les was found collapsed on the examination room floor, where an attempt was made to revive him, and then he was rushed to the ER at a nearby hospital, where a heart specialist tried to again revive him. 

For many of you who have had conversations with Les on the phone....remember how he would end the call?   "Okay..gotta go..Bye" Click    This used to drive me crazy, but it was how Les would end his call with you.  Very abruptly!!   And when I mentioned this to Wendy today, she said, "I'm glad to say, like his phone calls, Les' life ended very abruptly!" Just like Les.   

Anyway..it was clear from talking to Wendy and the girls today...they do want everyone to celebrate Les.  To remember the good things about him.  To remember how he brought so many together.  To remember he was a devoted husband and a devoted father and a devoted "all dayer" at Disneyland!!!  He also loved to engage people in conversation, everywhere he went.  Wendy told us about how every year when they would vacation in Hawaii...everyone at the shops and restaurants would remember Les, when they would return.  He was loved by so many, and as we know, he would take photos of himself with just about anyone and everyone.  He just loved the interaction with everyone!!  And lastly, before I forget, he loved the music of the Beach Boys!!

At this point, it appears Wendy is planning a private funeral and a burial service for just family members.  She wants it to be a private affair.   I told her I would put the word out to everyone I could, who might want to know.  She did say that at some point, perhaps after the Holidays, she would try to find a day to have a "Memorial Celebration" for Les...where those who could come, would be invited to celebrate Les and to spend a day with all of the friends who were part of Les' life.  So..at some point, details will follow.  So please stay tuned.  I know many of you who are in the UK have expressed trying to be here for this celebration.  As soon as I can confirm details..I will let you know, so there is plenty of time to plan and book tickets, etc.

I will also ask all of you to still feel free to email me with any questions, comments, well wishes or anything else for Wendy, Marissa and Sarah.  This is obviously an overwhelming time, and Wendy does understand how overwhelming it could be.  She's asked me to act as a contact for the time being.  Should you email me with a note or message for her...I will pass them on....and allow Wendy the option to respond or not.  Please respect the privacy of her and the girls.  I know you all understand what I mean.

And if there is anything else, I can do...please, just ask me. 

Wendy and the family also wanted to extend "Happy Holidays" to everyone as well.

Best to you all, and thanks for the love for Les and his family.

Panayiotis <<
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hypehat
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« Reply #31 on: December 17, 2012, 10:56:51 AM »

That's awful. I only knew him on this board, and he was a sweet guy. Obviously one of the good ones. RIP.
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NHC
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« Reply #32 on: December 17, 2012, 02:52:02 PM »

I was sitting with my wife in the stands at Candlestick Park in San Francisco in 1982 waiting for the Beach Boys to come on after the Giants game.  Les walked by with a couple of friends, noticed my green BB tour jacket, introduced himself, and invited me to the first fan convention he was putting together in Oakland at the college of arts and crafts a couple of months later, which I went to and had a blast.  We talked by phone a few times, sent a few items back and forth now and again, saw each other a couple more times at his conventions or Candlestick concerts, then fell out of touch. 20 years later we re-connected when Jan Berry died, and he asked me if I still had the jacket (I do, but darn it shrunk). Hadn't talked with him for a while,and now, dang, he's gone. One of my prize possessions is a tape of some Smile and Landlocked tracks he sent me, which also includes that radio interview he did when Dennis died and some live tracks from a Lake Tahoe show, when Brian sang "It's Just A Matter Of Time" (he called it "I'm Lost Without You") in big-band style.  Simply put, Les was a great guy and it's terrible to hear of his passing.  Best to his family.
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NHC
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« Reply #33 on: December 17, 2012, 04:06:04 PM »

I'm reminded that Les mentioned to a news reporter at one of the conventions that Wendy was more of a Beatles fan than Beach Boys, and would sit quietly doing needlepoint (or similar, I forget) during a concert, but would always perk right up when they player "her" song!

I'm also reminded to finally get rid of the excess weight, take care of my blood pressure and beat back the cholesterol. 

You'll be missed, our friend.

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bgas
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« Reply #34 on: December 22, 2012, 01:29:02 PM »

And more news from Panayiotis: 

>>It's been an amazing week, of emails and phone calls, with people sharing story after story about Les and also about how he touched each one of you.   I've forwarded the emails to Wendy, Marissa and Sarah, and they're very happy to read all the nice comments, and know they are very comforting to the family.  They have also enjoyed all the comments and photos, many of you have posted on Les' Facebook page. 

But as things need to be done, Wendy has had to deal with funeral and burial services for Les this week, and as I said before, there will be a private service for family only.  I again, ask for everyone to respect the family's preference and privacy on this matter. 

With the help of Carl Mindling, there are some plans being worked out to have a "public" memorial service for everyone.  I was at the Chan Home last night for a little bit, and Wendy's talking to some facilities, about a place to hold such a service and celebration of her husband.  She had told me it should be sometime in January, as she really felt it would be better to do all of this after the Holidays, so many could be available.  She also said it would probably be done in Alameda.  Once a day is finalized and set, I will let everyone know.  So details will follow shortly.

Some of you have asked about sending cards and flowers and other things.  In lieu of flowers and gifts for the family, Wendy mentioned an organization, which was dear to Les and wanted to express, should anyone want to make a donation, in Les' name, they could do so.  Here's what she says:

<<Panayiotis, should anyone wish to donate to something--which Les cared about--a cause Les always supported which was dear to his heart is the Island Cat Resources and Adoption organization, where we adopted our cats, Sienna and Minnie.  I've enclosed the link below and there is a donation button near the top left of the home page.  Any donations made in his name will be published in their quarterly newsletter, and if people tell the ICRA the donation is for Les Chan, the girls and I will see it.   Here is the link:    http://www.icraeastbay.org/index.html   
Thanks so much for sending this out to everyone,  Wendy>>

Please feel free to look at the home page and follow the info to make a donation, in Les' name.

And again, Wendy and the girls again wanted me to express their heartfelt thanks for all of the love and support during this difficult time for them.  Please keep them and Les in your continued prayers.

Happy Holidays to everyone.

Panayiotis <<   
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