Lost a Z4 Family Member on Friday the 13th

[Finnegan]

Sadly I have to announce we lost a member of the Z family last Friday: Gernard Feril. I was proud to call him a friend.

Quite a few NorCal folks knew Gernard, and he was quite active on the forum at Zpost as GFeril during the time he owned his Z, as well as attending a lot track days, drives, events, a huge part of the original and second Exhaust Fest. The one and only time I won for a Picture of the Month the month submission was with a photo of Gernard's car!

Driving was a passion for him--the Z in particular--but motorcycles fit in there as well.

Those of us who knew him think of his quite confidence, support, enthusiasm, inspiration, and passion for motorsports. He was a person who brought out the best in others, and had just co-founded his first company a few months back where he was working on combining his passion for motorsports with work and a long time desire to build a company. He's already missed by many.

For those in the Bay Area who knew Gernard, there's a remembrance Wednesday evening. https://www.facebook.com/events/476541345804488/

Life can sadly be short, but it's what we do with the time we have that counts. Gernard made the most of life. May we all follow that example.

[DEG]

Hi Finnegan,
I don't have the history of you and some others on this great community, so I didn't know Gernard as you did. The only time he and I "crossed paths" was when I sent him a PM regarding his suspension set up on his coup. His response was prompt, courteous, and informative. I have lost a few friends--one being one of my best friends-- in my 61 years here on earth, so I understand your sense of loss. May I offer my sincere condolences to you and the other members that called him a friend. I'm sorry for your loss.

[RobMCoupe]

The news hit me like a brick. I treasure the moment we shared. It is a sad day indeed.

[Huz-Z]

Very sad news indeed.

I didn't know Gernard other than through his posts here so I took a look at the photos on the Facebook page - and I saw a fun loving guy with a great sense of humor and a lot of friends who are going to miss him very much. Its funny though, when you read these posts you get some idea of what folks are all about, but after one or two pics of Gernard, his enthusiasm for life is almost tangible! From what I saw, I agree, Gernard definitely made the most of life.

I'm very sorry for those who have lost a really great friend.

[yousefnjr]

Sad news. Great guy and a true gear head. RIP.

[NickyC]

I'm very sorry to hear this, I'm assuming this was unexpected so I can only imagine how devastating it is for his friends and family. Well wishes and best regards to all involved.

[Skelekitty]

I'm still heartbroken over the thought of losing such an amazing person, and so unexpectedly at such a young age. He was always funny and inclusive, and never hesitated to help people. I'm not having an easy time expressing my feelings about this, which are muddled up in a near-miss experience of my own this year, but here is the important stuff: few of us are told the ways we touch the lives of others, so take the opportunity to tell folks when they make you happy. I will never forget telling Gernard that he had an inexplicable calming effect on my normally anxious nature, and that just seeing him made me smile. I felt like an awkward dork saying it, but his response was to laugh and hug me.

I know I'm not in here much at all, but I keep up with what's going on through regular ZPost reports from Finnegan. Keep up with the antics folks, you might not know it, but those posts are a bright spot in someone's day.

[Tonybest]

My sincere condolences to everyone that knew him.

[Finnegan]

Thanks folks. It's a small world in the enthusiast community, even more so in the Z4 community. I've met a lot of really great folks, right here through this forum, or my connections off-line, again with the Z4. Good stuff that!

[inTgr8r]

Oh my goodness, so sad to hear this news.
He was a big part of this community and it was a surprise when he sold his coupe,
but this really hits home.

Prayers and condolences to his family!!

Thanks for letting us know Ron.

[Vanne]

Darn it, so sad to hear this Ron, To all that knew him and the ones he left behind, condolences. Way, way to young. It serves as a reminder to me to cherish those moments with your family and friends. My thoughts go out to his family. Rest in peace mate, and may the roads up there be twisty and smooth.