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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,726
2000 Post Club Member
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2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Hi Diane, you're very welcome. I thought it would be appreciated, and a nice remembrance to the folks on PW that never met him in person, and to his friends here. Even though I never met Jerry personally, watching that video, I was moved as well. I had not visited his website for a long time, and was surprised and happy to see that he enjoyed one of my YouTube vids, a "White Christmas" piece.
Diane, I wanted to post that video directly to my post as you did, but did not know how. How can I do that in the future?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,935
1000 Post Club Member
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1000 Post Club Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,935 |
I always enjoyed Jerry's playfulness and insights. My condolences to his family and friends.
Glen
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 373
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Full Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 373 |
My condolences and prayers go out to Jerry's family. He was a real asset to the industry, and a great guy. I thought about him often while I was tuning today, and we will certainly miss him.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,332
3000 Post Club Member
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3000 Post Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,332 |
Jerry! My friend, you will be missed! I'm so glad we got to hang out in Grand Rapids a few years ago and have some cold ones! You were/are an icon of the pianoworld community. Here's to you and blessings to your kids and your family. I can hear the laughter in heaven already!
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,864
4000 Post Club Member
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4000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,864 |
Here are the details on the visitation and service: Visitation info: Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien - Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. Saturday, April 6, 7-9 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2-4 p.m. & 7-9 p.m (8 p.m. a Bible vigil service). Funeral Service: Monday, Apr 8, 2013 11:00 AM EDT St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 4351 Parnell Ave. N.E., Ada, MI, 49301 MLIVE Obituary: http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/g...rald-groot&pid=164050131#fbLoggedOutLifestory: http://www.lifestorynet.com/memories/88765In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to We Do Care, a fund helping families with hospitalized children with cancer. Donations can be sent to We Do Care, 759 Hachmuth NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 419
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Full Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 419 |
I met Jerry a couple of years ago at the Kansas City convention What a nice person and he thanked me for posting funny things in the Paging Jerry Groot thread. Jerry had a great sense of humor and new a lot about pianos. I will miss him a lot.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 219
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Full Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 219 |
One of Jerry's clients moved to my town in 2011 and brought their Yamaha G2 that Jerry had been servicing for many years. He PM'd me about the piano and said that it should be checked after the move and abrupt change in climate. I met with the owner and going through the piano I was amazed at the stability of the tuning. Also, very precise and clean action repairs and impeccable regulation. To know someone only by what their hand had done was truly inspiring. My new client had only wonderful words for Jerry and I felt like I had made a new acquaintance. I wish I had meet him because I can't get the picture of his avatar out of my head. For he is a Jolly good Fellow.
David Chadwick RPT Newark, Ohio 1931 Mason Hamlin AA
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,112
1000 Post Club Member
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1000 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,112 |
It felt like I was punched in the gut when I logged in today (the first time in months) and read about Jerry's passing.
I had considered him a friend. We first started chatting when I had helped him out with a recommendation for his upcoming hernia surgery (which I had previously experienced) and since then we regularly corresponded about all sorts of subjects.
He was by far my favorite character on this forum and his always made me laugh. I was hoping to eventually meet him in Michigan (not far away_) and hopefully do some fishing with him. This place definitely won't be the same without him and to be honest I simply won't like it around here as much if Jerry isn't around.
Thanks for all your help Jerry and thanks for making me feel welcome here.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,515
2000 Post Club Member
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2000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,515 |
When I first became interested in the piano tech business I had some great help from a local RPT examiner. At some point I mentioned I got so much out of the Pianoworld forum and he mentioned that many of the best technicians in the world post there. I don't remember the details of the conversation but for sure the name "Jerry Groot" came up.
A while ago I became so fed up with some ad-hominem attacks against my person that I posted I'd leave the forum. Immediately I got a PM from Jerry asking me to reconsider as he liked my posts, I shouldn't be so sensitive, people treated him like that too, don't take it personally, etc. I took his advise and reconsidered.
Thanks Jerry!
Kees
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 337
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Full Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 337 |
I have not visited PW forum for a while, and today, when I opened it, I have seen this terrible news. Mr. Groot was one of most active members of this forum, always having very useful and objective things to say. I remember that once he had criticized the ethical aspect of one act of mine, regarding a customer, which I presented here and asked members for their opinion. He was completely right about that. I am sure that he was highly moral and honest person. He was full of professional knowledge too, which was obviously visible from his posts. It is very sad that he passed so early. My condolences to his family and friends.
Bojan Babic piano technician and tuner Sid, Vojvodina, Serbia _____________________________ bojanbabic@yahoo.com www.klaviri.blogspot.com
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,854
3000 Post Club Member
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3000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,854 |
I am a somewhat occasional reader of the forums, but Jerry has always stuck me both as a wonderful person and a wonderful tech. He was particularly helpful to me with a problem that I had. I am very shocked at this news. My sincere condolences to Jerry's family and friends.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 970
500 Post Club Member
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500 Post Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 970 |
I was so sad to read about Jerry today in the newsletter. He is missed already. My condolences to the family.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 864
500 Post Club Member
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500 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 864 |
I was very sorry to learn of Jerry Groot's death today from the newsletter. (I recently retired from piano work and had not been keeping up with the boards.) He was a solid guy who cared about his work and kept things lively for all of us. I saw him in a class a few years ago at the PTG National in Grand Rapids but was too shy to say hello; now I regret that. My condolences to his family and friends.
Dorrie Bell retired piano technician Boston, MA
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 299
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Full Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 299 |
Not been on PW for a while, but I always found Jerry very entertaining and a font of information. He'll be sorely missed by many, including myself.
Adrian Thomas Adrian Thomas Music Services Service Engineer - Hybrid Pianos & Strings
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 115
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 115 |
Never met you in person Jerry Groot, but i hope to in the next life. Thank you for the kind and informative responses.
Anson Everitt PTG assoc
Anson Everitt PTG associate
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 526
500 Post Club Member
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500 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 526 |
I'm extremely shocked and saddened by this terrible news. Jerry was a friend, though I hadn't met him in person. A fun-loving, kind man who always brought a smile to my face. We enjoyed a few funny PM's over the years. You'll be missed Jerry, but I know you are happier and free of pain now. My condolences to the Groot family.
Tuner-Technician
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,205
1000 Post Club Member
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1000 Post Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,205 |
Oh no... just returned here after some busy months, and realize that time flies faster than one would ever wish or allow for.
I met with Jer in KC, but I got to know him here on PW. "Whatever blows your hair back" is the way to go. I will always keep that advice close to heart - dealing with pianos, and with life in general.
Truly missed.
Patrick Wingren, RPT Wingren Pianistik https://facebook.com/wingrenpianistikConcert Tuner at Schauman Hall, Jakobstad, Finland Musician, arranger, composer - - - - Dedicated to learning the craft of tuning. Getting better.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,028
4000 Post Club Member
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4000 Post Club Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,028 |
Having been away for a while too and suffering a loss in my own family, I was truly shocked and saddened to hear this! I had no idea he had been ill. He was a great friend and colleague. He was instrumental in having me address a Chapter meeting a few years ago where I was privileged to tune the Horowitz Steinway. I was a guest in his home several times and a guest of his a dinners. I met his lovely wife, Coe and his two sons, Jer, Jr. and Joe.
He will be sorely missed!
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439
7000 Post Club Member
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7000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439 |
Today would have been Jerry's 57th. birthday celebration.
I miss him so much.
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,475
4000 Post Club Member
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4000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,475 |
I know what you mean, Marty. I can't tell you the number of times over the last several weeks when I've thought of, or applied, something that Jer had brought to my attention through this forum or a PM, but it has been many! His legacy is a rich one. Here's a recording I made as a joke for Jer and posted in a Lester thread about two years ago. It was introduced as what I thought life was probably like in Jer's piano shop. The title is the only thing of the song that I changed. The lyrics are straight from the book, but much more poingnant, now... https://www.box.com/s/unjioznpaygdgmnef80k Here's to Jer's memory! --Andy
I may not be fast, but at least I'm slow.
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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