If you’ve been anywhere near the internet today, then you by now have heard the devastating news. Last night, our Community lost one if it’s Champions, Mr. Gary Head aka Gyre-Viper. “Goggles”, as he was lovingly known to friends, treated our hobby with a passion that I’m sad to say many of us have lost over the years. He leaves behind a loving Wife and 3 beautiful children.
If Goggles has taught me anything, it’s to make sure to hug those around you tight, as nothing in this life is guaranteed. Reach out to those you haven’t spoken to and put silly differences aside. If you’re passionate about something, let the World know.
Goggles was, at one time, a very active member of the Hisstank Community. Much of the up & coming things we saw during the Rise of Cobra and Pursuit of Cobra days were mostly in part to his almost ninja like ability to find things that Joe fans didn’t even know they should be looking for.
Through his work with Sam/Nomad, Joe Collectors were introduced to the inner workings of G.I.Joe through JoeDeclassified and I know that I speak for most when I say that we’re eternally grateful for the hard work they put in together to inspire oohs and aahs in us all. That effort branched off in to the G.I.Joe Discussion Group on Facebook, where everyday fans and Industry insiders get the chance to just “nerd out” on a topic that we all hold dear to our hearts – G.I.Joe.
There are many tribute threads popping up throughout our community, with some especially beautiful words and thoughts being expressed on JoeDeclassified and GeneralsJoes. There is also a thread on OG13 and of course Facebook, so no matter where you find yourself on the internet today, take some time and share a story or two.
Once those close to Gary have had some time to work through this moment of sorrow, they will let us know of any way that we as a Community can help.
Rest in Peace, Goggles. When we meet again, we’ll finally have to settle on what Iron Grenadier is the best.
C.I.A.D. says
02/09/15 - UPDATE
The following was shared on JoeDeclassified by Nomad -
With permission of Gary’s wife Elizabeth, we’ve created a donation method via Declassified for you to contribute funds directly to the family if you so wish. (Note: this is a different donation address than general Declass donations.) This will allow them to receive funds without having to pay any taxes under our charter. We plan to do a more organized fundraiser later, but several people have been expressing their desire to help as soon as possible. Simply click on the button below.
The button for donations can be found here - Help for the Head/Capua Family | Joe Declassified
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It is with a very heavy heart that I share the following word shared by the folks over at G.I.Joe Declassified.
Gary "Goggles" Head, aka Gyre-Viper, has passed away from a Heart Attack on Saturday, 02/07. More info is not known at this time and we will not pursue more info out of respect of privacy for his Wife and children. If there are any other details that they want to make public, such as donation info and things like that, we will wait until they share it and then share it here with you.
Gyre-Viper was once an active member of this board. It absolutely breaks my heart that silly "toy politics" came between, what I would consider, a great friendship between he and I. Regardless, there is no doubting the positive impact that he made within our community and all the work that he's done for G.I.Joe as a whole.
Do you guys remember when he would post up a new ROC prototype that he came across? I do. I also remember how he would never say no to a friend in need, regardless of circumstance. Yeah, he could be a pain in the ass...but what friend couldn't?
I'm beyond stunned by this and I hope that we all take a moment to stop and remind those around us how much they mean to us. To the Iron Grenadiers - I can't imagine what you guys are going through.
I'm so sorry that I didn't say goodbye on different terms, Gary.
May you rest in peace. Thank you for everything you've done.
DPrime says
So sorry to hear this. I remember Gyre-Viper posting here quite regularly. Thoughts are with his family... RIP.
Tall Creeper says
Gyre-Viper you will certainly be missed!! My thoughts are with you and your family, this is certainly sad news!! Your contributions to the Joe collecting community will never be replaced and your position as ambassador to all of us was a true delight! I certainly enjoyed reading your posts and having you as a friend and teammate
USAgent says
...
:(
cobralalalala! says
He was a good friend, he will be missed.
tycondrius says
yeah I just read this on Fb and was coming here to see if anyone had posted about him passing. my condolences to his family and friends he really was a truly upstanding dude and one the first guys on here I ever did trades with. he will be sorely missed :(
GIJoeComics08 says
https://twitter.com/the_gijoe_club/s...81012495691776
https://m.facebook.com/JoeDeclassifi...78925428809335
kneroh says
God bless and good luck to you old friend.
Stalker says
This is very sad news. He brought some amazing product to light for a lot of us, and I know that pales in comparison to the impact he had on his family and children.
Xenos says
This was really shocking news. I feel terrible about it.
Justin has a good write up on his site:
Rest in Peace, Gary Head | Generals Joes – A blog about the importance (or unimportance) of little plastic men
Keep reading: RIP Gary Goggles Head aka Gyre Viper - Page 2
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