Julian Moss, G4ILO, 24 October 2014
My friend Julian Moss, G4ILO, sadly lost a long and bravely fought battle on Friday, October 24, 2014, at the age of only 60, and amateur radio lost one of its most ardent contributors.
Rather than give an account of Julian’s battle I refer readers to his well-supported blog “One Foot in the Grave“, which takes readers to when he was first diagnosed with a virulent brain tumour in June, 2011. From there it progresses to his final postings during September, 2014. Towards the end, Julian had lost most of his faculties and needed help to produce the blog content. The sidebar to the blog gives a useful insight into Julian’s background.
Julian was a prolific writer as well as a brilliant software developer. He had held editorial posts in prime UK computer magazines and he designed and operated many websites over the years. Writing comprehensive reviews was a speciality – not just pertaining to amateur radio but on anything that he wanted to support. N.B. If Julian decided to support something he gave it everything he had got. You will find him on “You Tube” too where he ably demonstrates equipment etc.
An enthusiastic fell walker, Julian left his native county of Essex and set up home in Cockermouth in the Western Lake District to gain better access to the lakeland hills that he so loved. This ultimately led him to produce the much acclaimed WOTA (Wainwright On The Air) website and its associated database.
Julian’s comprehensive amateur radio website (G4ILO’s Shack) and its associated blog brought him worldwide recognition and a multitude of friends. When it came to helping fellow hams nothing was too much trouble. He also contributed to several radio forums over the years. A web search for “Julian Moss G4ILO Cockermouth” will produce much more material.
His only commercial website, www.tech-pro.net, was originally set up to market his own range of software. This website has lots of useful tips too. Because of Julian’s debilitating illness he has been unable to support the website for some time so sales have naturally diminished but nonetheless it still generates a nominal income.
I promised Julian that I would help his wife, Olga, to keep his websites on the air for at least as long as there is active interest.
Julian’s work speaks for his character and it goes without saying that I am proud to have had Julian as a friend.
In conclusion, when I visited Julian 5 days prior to his passing, as he lay desperately ill and only able to quietly speak the occasional single word, he managed to ask “how I was”. This was in reference to my prostatectomy for cancer ten months previously. I found it very touching that he struggled to find the energy to ask and care about my health as he lay in the final stages of his earthly life… a truly remarkable man.
My heart now goes out to Olga, who is from the Ukraine. She is totally devoted to Julian and her world revolved round him, so she will be lonely and will feel his loss acutely. Please send some prayerful thoughts in Olga’s direction.
Tribute by Hylton Thompson, G6AVL
Category: Silent Keys
