Thank You, Frank Gambalie

[guest]

It is customary to thank those who give you great gifts, or offer guidance at difficult moments. In our sport, that often means thanking those who give advice, take us to new sites, or show us exit points.

Although I never met Frank, yesterday his spirit guided me through the most technically difficult moments of my young BASE career.

To his family and friends, know that Frank's spirit continues to touch people who never had the privilege of knowing him.

To Frank, thanks for the jumps. I owe you more than I can ever repay.

Thank you, Frank Gambalie.

--Tom Aiello

[guest]

You obviously never met Frank Gambalie. Frank slammed so many people in his short life including me that I can't imagine thanking him for anything. And I definitely can't imagine him giving any advice or taking anyone to a new site or exit point unless there was something in it for him.

[Yuri]

Yo !

Oh boy, Slammed... He must have wiped your name out too. It's got to hurt! Maybe we can give you a new alias, something to soothe your pain... how about Whining Bitch or simply A Looser ?

Frank can't answer you in this forum. If you still have any self-respect, say either good or nothing.

bsbd!

Yuri.

[space]

you wrote;
You obviously never met Frank Gambalie.

space writes;
What clued you in on this fact? It probaly wasn´t that the author stated it so obviously in his post, you probaly just had a lucky guess. Did anyone ever tell you that you have a knack for recognizing the totally obvious? It seems cleverness is not your style...Your pisspoorform makes me regret my literacy. I don´t like being slammed also. Tell me how he slammed you...Sorry for being so selfish, only thinking about me and what I want. Let´s only think of you and what you want....Yeah right!!!
I really want to hear from these "so many people" that Frank slammed. I had no clue that he was a slammer. Either Frank was a Slammer, or you are lying. I think facts will clarify this...Got any?
I await,
space

[guest]

You are comletely heartless. Get to know someone before you speak such harsh words.

-friend of Franks-

[guest]

Shame on you! What kind of a person disses someone who has passed away?! I surf the Web to find memories & stories to help me remember my brother. It shocked me to read you're ugly comments. Are you that much of a self-centered #####? Now your hurtful comments are on public display. What if my parents read this?! I can't help but think that some of this discontent has a touch of jealously involved. Even though I'm his sister, It was real easy to see that Frank had a special touch in the base jumping world. He definitely did some pioneering with acrobatics and engineering new jumps and exit points. Frank was the best at what he did. I'm sure he angered people here & there as we all have, but does that make it ok to attack his character when he can't defend himself? Piss off.

[guest]

are you talking about frank the base jumper,come on ,get real, frank helped frank

[guest]

I'm glad someone stuck up for Slammed. I remember Frank helping Frank too. Just because he's gone doesn't make him a saint.

[guest]

Let me clarify.

I did not say that Frank was a saint. I never knew him.

I do know that Frank made my best day of BASE possible. He did this by pioneering a site that I probably couldn't have pioneered. If it weren't for Frank's jump there, I would probably not have even thought to look, or try, or have the great experience I did.

The point is not that he was, or was not, a saint.

The point is that he pushed his limits, and the limits of our sport, and in doing so he made a fantastic experience possible for me.

For this, I thank and honor him.

--Tom Aiello

[guest]

I met Frank at Cliff Day '96 in Arizona and he was so polite to me and I thought his BASE jumping at that time was flawless. He had beautiful form and definitely did some pioneering in the BASE world. I spoke highly of him at that time to people who didn't feel the same. Six months later, his character assasination of me cost me friends, money and a job. I was a single mother at the time with 2 boys and it was disappointing at best. Disappointing that he wasn't who he seemed to be and that he felt the needed to start vicious rumors for no apparent reason but personal entertainment. I am sorry for the loss his family and friends have endured. And I'm sorry he never had a chance to apologize to me and my family. I know I'm not alone in my experience with Frank but I doubt anyone else would have the courage to say so. We all have the right to remember those who are gone as we saw them. I would love to hear a touching, heart warming story about how Frank touched your life so I can remember him in a different light.

Sue Runyon

[guest]

Guys,

Everybody is fully entitled to their opinions and I'd like to state mine.

We all have individuals who like us and those who don't but I believe that when you're dead, people should give up the politics surrounding your life. Sue at least had the decency to sign her name but the anon posts in this thread have added nothing constructive whatsoever.

I never met the guy and therefore have no input on what he did before he died but let's just chill out and jump off things!!

Tom - I'm glad that you had a good jump mate and I hope it hasn't been soured by this crap thread.

Craig G

[sean]

nice one 615..life is too short,as we will all find out..I didnt know him either but i at least have the nouse to realise that dissing the guy will get you nothing...Karma is curious thing people...be nice to other people... doesnt matter what they have done to you...if you do at least that,you will have a reasonably trouble free time.

This thing we all so love is about feeling more alive than anyone else we know,the reason we feel that way is that it takes all sorts to keep this planet spinning.
So worry not about what has passed or who has done what..think about whats coming and how much you are gonna love it and ultimately who with....here endeth the lesson.