HH17L has passed away

[Chrysler75]

Hi everyone, it is with sadness that I am informing you that Andrew McLean from Milton Performance Torana Specialists in Everton Hills Brisbane has passed away suddenly aged 40 years. Andrew was a member of this forum and was known as HH17L.

Andrew was without doubt Australia's foremost expert of Holden Torana's dedicating the last 18 years to sales, repair, restoration and spare parts both from his workshop and via the internet. Andrew was fittingly followed to his memorial service by an entourage of immaculately restored XU1 Torana's including his own XU1 Bathurst race car replica which I had the honour of driving for him.

Andrew introduced me to this forum and I was fortunate enough to be with him on his last fishing trip, which was the River to Mud. My final memory of the gentle giant will be him taking his PB snapper that night.

Andrew's much loved Haines Hunter 17L "Fishin Impossible" will be offered for sale later this month and I will ensure it is posted on this site where he spent many hours conversing with us all sharing his experiences and learning more about his favourite recreation. I am glad that he was able to spend so much more time on the water this year, which was sparked by finding this site and being excited and motivated by everyones ongoing posts.

Andrew leaves behind his wife, three teenage girls and many good mates.

RIP Mate

Kas..

[longtail]

Hi , I met Andrew briefly for the first time at the R2M , he seemed like a good bloke :'(

Condolences to his family and friends.

Jason and family.

[themissus]

That is way to young. Love and thoughts to his family.
Kim.

[Dirtysanchez]

Sorry to hear about that, 40 is very young

[Peter4]

Never met the man but, if he loved fishing, he was probably a top guy.

Sincere condolences to his family who must be doing it tough.

I'm 45 next month with a couple of teenage kids so I can appreciate that 40 is way too young.

May he live on forever in the memories of his family and friends.

[ChuckBacker]

Very sad to hear of the passing of one so young and obviously so enthusiastic and funloving.
Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[wags on the water]

Sorry to hear. My condolences to his family and friends.

Wags

[blaze]

Never met Andrew myself but read his reports etc and dont think I ever seen any one have a negitive thing to say. Also 40 is way to young
My condolences to his family and friends
Blaze

[dogsbody]

Too young, too soon. All the best to his family.



Dave.

[webby]

My respects to Andrews Family and Friends.
Andrews PB Snapper caught in the R2M will be in nexts months Bush & Beach, iI hope he reads it from above, Congratulations Mate and I hope you catch many more in your journies.
regards

[Ausfish]

That is just way too young. Do you mind if I ask from what and did he have any warnings, etc. or was it an accident.
The reason I ask is that I had a bit of a scare earlier this year, heart attack and bypass surgery, at 44 and am very lucky to be here. I thought that I would have been the last person on earth for this to happen too but...

Maybe we need to start a Ausfish Health Week where every member goes to the doc for a full check out and report back on how they went. Blokes tend to put it off either as long as they can or until it is too late. I know I did.

All the best to his family and when you are ready to post the boat up on the site just let me know and I will look after it for you.

Here is another look at that River to Mud Snapper - 65cm & 2.95kg

[Horse]

Condolences to Adrews family and those who were close to him. It is a terrible thing to leave a young family behind.

Neil

[charleville]

I never knew the man but recall that his posts were good to see.

Ditto to what everyone else has said.... 40 is far to young.:(

My sincere condolences to his family.

[Chrysler75]

Hi Steve, a couple of weeks back the big fella went home from work and without any warning he had a heart attack at home and spent a fortnight at the Prince Charles Hospital. The big fella went home last Monday arvo on orders to take it easy for a while but unfortunately only a few hours after getting home he has overdone it and collapsed from a second heart attack never recovering. It's a timely warning to all of us who think we are invincible, smoking, drinking and not looking after our diet is a recipe for disaster. It has also taught me that we need to plan for the future of our family and kids and leave nothing undone or for that matter unsaid.

Chrysler75
Kas..

[Poodroo]

That's very sad news indeed. I remember seeing him at the R2M also. Considering he was 4 years my junior is a very scary thought. We just never know when our time is up. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Regards,

Poodroo

[abitfishy]

So sorry to hear this.

We do need to take care of ourselves. I am considerably overweight (height to weight ratio I am medically 'obese' at 120kg), smoke like a chimney, eat rubbish and never exercise. Last year I was admitted to hospital with a collapsed lung after an ambulance was called when I couldn't breath. I'm 31.

I don't mean all this to hijack, but the point I'm trying to make is everyone needs to know that it doesn't matter how old you are, its how you take care of yourself that counts. So everyone please 'Do as I say, not as I do' :) and TAKE CARE. Its not you that will suffer long term, its those loved ones left behind. Please do it for THEM.

My sincerest condolences to his family.

[Greg P]

I also wish to pass on my condolences to his family and friends. That is very sad news and as has been said already - way too young to leave loved ones behind.

regards,

Greg

[alleycat]

my sincere condolences to his wife and girls, and too all forum readers!! get off the smokes and ease up on the drink as i dont think we get a second chance.

[Tangles]

Condolances to Andrews family and friends,
As everyone says 40 is too young, briefly met him at the RtoM, was a lovely bloke, very sad,

mike

[TIMMY 666]

40 years is just too young...

My thoughts are with Andrew and his family...

Very sad indeed :'(


Tim.

[Big_unit]

Thats bloody scary, 40 years of age.

Such a tragedy.

Makes you think its for the best when the better half nags at you " go to the doctor and get it checked out " I know Ill certainly be opening my all to frequently closed ears and heading down for a check up.

James

[foggy]

I met Andrew about 6 months ago. I needed to boorow a video camera and he was only to happy to oblige. Did not know me from a bar of soap, but just handed over the camera with a smile. That's the kind of person I will remember him as. Happy go lucky and would do anything for a mate.

Thoughts and prayers go out to his young family.

Foggy

[bdowdy]

lost my dad afew months ago at 57 ,you just never know, sorry to hear he must have been a great bloke , to all family and friends sorry about your loss. brett

[minno]

I have been for a check up just this week. I was having pains in my chest, more in the area of my left lung. As soon as I fell it, xrays were taken, and nothing was found. Don't take any chances, Iam also 40 odd, and this is the time to look at everything. The prostate test is very embarrassing and when I heard the slap of the gloves, I was not a happy little fisherman. But HEY, its better than dieing. Just a blood test to go, and then I,ll be happy for another two years.

Minno puts out his heart to the family and friends that has lost another good mate.


Minno

[maztez]

Please accept my condolences in your sad loss
Terry

[monkey76]

My thoughts are with his family, a great bloke who will be missed.
Lets all appreciate the next fishin day we have

[DR]

it's a sad day when we lose someone so young.
I never met Andrew, but would like to pass on my Sincere condolences to his family & friends

[Marlin_Mike]

Very sad indeed. Met him twise after buying some gear off him through Ausfish.

Been there twice after 2 heart attacks myself. Dont risk it.

Condolcences to his family and friends. Another nice guy gone way too young.

Mike

[el_carpo]

That's too young. I'm sorry for his family and friends' loss and will keep them in my prayers.

Steve, you're right; we've got to take better care of ourselves. I've been scared onto the right track myself earlier this year. I figured I had high blood pressure but never thought it was as bad as it turned out to be. I had it checked and started a diet and cut out salt immediately. I've lost 50 pounds and still have a bunch more to go. Diet and exercise is a small price to pay for a healthier, longer life. I just hope I didn't do too much damage already. I'm 32 and hoping to make it to 33.

[16.2_ISAAC]

This is horrible news...Andrew bought his little V17L Haines of me
(i used to be user james V17L )
So sad & so young...really makes you stop & think

My condolences to his wonderful family who I met when
I delivered the boat...By the sounds of it he loved his
boating so I guess it was great that he had the opportunity
to enjoy it so much the last few years..

R I P ANDREW

[mickstar001]

Dont know the guy Kas, very said indeed though! All the best to his family!


Mickstar

[bballfisho]

that sad news to hear.
i met him once, great bloke
my condolences to those who knew him well and his family

[Foxy4]

40 is way to young. Condolences to Andrews family

[sandbankmagnet]

It's very sad, but let it be a lesson to us all. 2 years ago at 35 I had heartburn that turned out to be a 95% blockage of the artery that feeds 2/3 of my heart's blood. If I had of left it any longer that would have been it. It happens to young people! Swallow your pride and get check ups.

[haggis]

my heart goes out to his family . life is too short especially at only forty years of age .
haggis ....

[abitfishy]

It's very sad, but let it be a lesson to us all. 2 years ago at 35 I had heartburn that turned out to be a 95% blockage of the artery that feeds 2/3 of my heart's blood. If I had of left it any longer that would have been it. It happens to young people! Swallow your pride and get check ups.

Bit of a worry - I've lately had what I thought was heartburn a few hours after dinner - maybe its not.:'(

[4x4frog]

My thoughts are with Andrew's family in this their time of need. I too never met Andrew but can see he was thought of fondly by many here.
RIP and may there be many PB's where ever you are now.

[rafaa]

Very sad to hear. I remember seeing him at r2m.
my condolences to his family.

Jim