OCUK founder Spie passes away

Sorry to hear this, condolences to you and your family.
It doesn't seem that long ago since the announcement was made in these forums about him selling the company and enjoying the fruits of his labour, I hope he managed to do that to the full in the little time he had.
 
I’d not been on the mod team for long (just a few weeks) and was invited to a Donnie Do.

The food Mark laid on was superb, the drinks flowed and it was an excellent evening.

As we walked back to the hotel, Mark demonstrated what a hot shot he was with an umbrella!

The 10th anniversary bash has been mentioned, that was another event that sticks in my mind.

I used to travel around the country a lot and often popped into OcUK for a coffee and a catch up. Mark always had time for me, no matter what he was doing.

Just getting a few thoughts down.

This has hit me hard this morning.
 
HAz said:
RIP spie, I bought my first pc parts from you back in 2000/2001 I think, was an AMD T bird 1ghz.
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RIP Spie!!! Jesus, that took me by surprise. He wasn't old was he.
I think my very first ocuk order was also for an AMD Thunderbird and that beige case everyone had.

The best days were when everyone had the radeon 9800se all in wonder card which clocked to the 9800pro. Great times!
 
Ace Modder said:
I've already posted in here, but now I want to post about the good and happy memories I have with Mark and the rest of his family.

The OcUK 10th brithday party was a blast, I had only known Mark around 18 months by this time and this was the first time my wife met Mark and the rest of his family. At six AM we were in the hotel reception, still drinking and singing "Tom Jones - Delilah"

One year we spent new years eve in Dublin with Mark, Claire, Nathan, Aaron and a few others - this was one of the best new years eve celebrations I have had - my best memory is the busty bar maid who allowed Mark and the rest of us to go behind the bar during a heavy Guiness and Whiskey fueled afternoon and pour our own drinks.

Then was the time when he invited me and my wife to his 10th wedding renewal cereomy in Switzerland. The celebrations were wonderful, the location was amazing. And for those who were there, I give you "THE MATTERHORN....... GIVES YOU THE HORN!" and how can we all forgot the "gentle-hike" up a mountain for 2hrs the day after many many drinks.

Then there was another new years eve at Marks house in Alsager, a house party with a devils and angels theme - I wore 3" high heels and an angels outfil to Marks house party. I recall Mark wandering off to bed rather early that evening due to too many drinks.

Then the last celebration with Mark was his daughter, Emma's christening in Jersey, we flew out for the weekend and celebrated well. The return flights were delayed for hours and hours, and in the end Nathan, his girlfiend, my wife and I ended up getting a taxi from Bristol airport to Machester airport - we half expected that we were going to be stuck in Jersey and would be camped out with Mark for additional days.

Some of my fondest memories though were the more quiet evenings with Mark and Claire going for various evening meals around Alsager and Cheshire, the company never failed to make for a wonderful evening. Actually being able to enjoy intelligent, quiet conversation was a delight.

Mark you will be missed forever, but never forgotten. If it wasn't for you giving me a break at OcUK I wouldn't be in a successful position within the IT retail industry, for that I hold my hat to you and I will toast a very very large drink to you tonight x sleep well, friend.
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Lee, amazing. Thank you for taking the time to write about a few of the many memories we shared together as a family. It brought a tear to my eye.
 
Feek said:
I’d not been on the mod team for long (just a few weeks) and was invited to a Donnie Do.

The food Mark laid on was superb, the drinks flowed and it was an excellent evening.

As we walked back to the hotel, Mark demonstrated what a hot shot he was with an umbrella!

The 10th anniversary bash has been mentioned, that was another event that sticks in my mind.

I used to travel around the country a lot and often popped into OcUK for a coffee and a catch up. Mark always had time for me, no matter what he was doing.

Just getting a few thoughts down.

This has hit me hard this morning.
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I'm having those same flashbacks and same thoughts, mate.
 
Wow, this has come as a bit of a shock. I've been a member of these forums for many years, they're the only ones I visit and I'm here every day. I'm also a customer and have been again for many years, so I'm greateful to Spie and the entire team for the work that went on when I first visited, and still goes on today, to keep the shop and forums running.
RIP Spie :(.
 
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