OOAK Table Tennis Forum :: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey

As a mark of respect for Monkey and to show how much I personally thought of him I have composed a short poem in tribute to him and just a small part of my knowing him. I hope it rings true with some things other people knew of him also.

A tribute to Metalmonkey

On this TT forum I have made many a friend
One of those changed to the dark side, to let his hand mend
You see he had broken his hand and couldn't play normal
So his game changed around and pips became formal

This change had began to let his EJ urge rage
So much of it documented on many a forum page
This friendly young man, we knew as Metal Monkey
Had succumbed to the disease we call Equipment Junkie

He shared his knowledge with so many online
With all he packed into life, I don't know where he found time
But that was Chris, a generous soul
No-one would dispute that on a forum poll!

You could tell he had fun changing his rubbers and bats
He played so much TT with all the Sydney cats
Then he headed down south one day in '09
To Melbourne he came for a TT good time.

He played at Dandy with me and Mars63
And sent his then girl-friend on a big shopping spree
He played with pips, one side short and one long
He played a nice game, rather on song.

This guy who seemed friendly in words on a forum
Turned out to be even greater meeting him in person.
Then back he went to Sydney, his friends and his job
TT and the forum stayed his passion, I think he even read my blog!

No more will I see him for he was called back by our Lord
He'll play TT in heaven, no doubt with pips still aboard!
The game has lost a great man, too soon came his end
Metalmonkey I salute you, rest in peace our great friend!

Author:	haggisv [ 21 Jul 2011, 21:04 ]
Post subject:	Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
It is with our deepest regret that we advise the members of OOAK that one of our close friends and long-time members, Metalmonkey, has passed away. Details of his death are not currently available, but we will update here when we know more. As he was recently married, please join with us in expressing deepest condolences to MetalMonkey's wife and family. If you were a close friend of MetalMonkey and wish to know more, please PM one of the mods and we can give you contact details of one of his closest friend James. There will be a viewing service on Tuesday 26th July at 5-9pm at Simplicity Funerals at Liverpool. The funeral will be held on Wednesday 27th July at 10am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cabramatta. A burial service will be held at 11.30am at Pinegrove Memorial at Michinbury. I was told by his wife and one of his closest friends James, Chris (MetalMonkey) loved TT and our forum, and wants to pass on THANKS to the forum for being part of one of his greatest passions. Our forum extends our deepest sympathies to Chris' family and loved ones. He was a true friend and we will miss him. Rest in peace MetalMonkey. . . . If there are any messages that you would like us to pass onto MetalMonkey's wife and family, please either post them here, or PM them to me if you would like to add something person or your real name. I will compile all the message into a file, and we will add them to a message on behalf of all forum members that Reb has written, and this will be printed and passed onto MetalMonkey's wife and family. As suggested by another one of our friends here, I will also add a memorial page to this site in honour of MetalMonkey, where we will add the names of our friends here that we have lost, so that we will always remember them.

Author:	RebornTTEvnglist [ 21 Jul 2011, 22:22 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
I am sure many members here are as shocked of this news as I am. I had met Metalmonkey in person and not only was he a very good TT player, but he was a genuinely nice person to go with it. I had always hoped to get to Sydney and play with him again, as he had done by coming to Melbourne. He will be deeply missed. I cannot express in words my sorrow of this news! RIP MM!

Author:	Debater [ 21 Jul 2011, 22:32 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
This news puts many other things on this forum into perspective. Metal Monkey was always friendly and genuinely interested in helping people with his posts. A great EJ exponent in his time and a really polite gent willing to share his experience without making anyone seem foolish. A great loss to this forum and table tennis.

Author:	Silver [ 21 Jul 2011, 23:43 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
Farewell Monkey, we will miss you.

Author:	LawOCG [ 21 Jul 2011, 23:44 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
Dear OOAK forum members Some of you may remember me from recent years as I was actively on this forum in the past as a equipment reviewer. MetalMonkey (Chris Biala) is one of my closest friends and it deeply saddens me to hear of his passing. I was told the devastating news this morning by his mother that Chris passed away on Tuesday evening, the details of his death remain uncertain but I ask everyone to please respect the privacy of this situation during this tough time for his family and friends. As Alex has mentioned, any updates will be announced here as soon as we hear about it. Myself and the Sydney table tennis community will be making every effort to attend the events on Tues/Wed to pay our respects to him. I urge anyone that knows Chris to also attend and reply to this thread. may our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends during this time of hardship LawOCG Lawrence

OOAK Table Tennis Forum https://ooakforum.com/

Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey https://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=16613	Page 1 of 3

Author:	antipip [ 21 Jul 2011, 23:50 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
Hon hoi theoi philousin apothneeskei neos

Author:	Fish [ 21 Jul 2011, 23:59 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
antipip wrote: Hon hoi theoi philousin apothneeskei neos Those whom the gods love die young.

Author:	shaolinTT [ 22 Jul 2011, 00:07 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
May our Lord's unfailing love be with MM's family in this time of sorrow.

Author:	tatlwai [ 22 Jul 2011, 00:20 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
Such a nice young man, we'll miss you, Monkey.

Author:	mynamenotbob [ 22 Jul 2011, 00:48 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
Even though I never met him in person or even knew his real name until now, I always felt MM and I were like kindred spirits in that we were constantly trying new styles and equipment. It was fun comparing notes. I'll remember him as a person who never had a bad word to say and was always willing to help others. Just a really good guy. God bless you MetalMonkey.

Author:	RebornTTEvnglist [ 22 Jul 2011, 01:42 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
As a mark of respect for Monkey and to show how much I personally thought of him I have composed a short poem in tribute to him and just a small part of my knowing him. I hope it rings true with some things other people knew of him also. A tribute to Metalmonkey On this TT forum I have made many a friend One of those changed to the dark side, to let his hand mend You see he had broken his hand and couldn't play normal So his game changed around and pips became formal This change had began to let his EJ urge rage So much of it documented on many a forum page This friendly young man, we knew as Metal Monkey Had succumbed to the disease we call Equipment Junkie He shared his knowledge with so many online With all he packed into life, I don't know where he found time But that was Chris, a generous soul No-one would dispute that on a forum poll! You could tell he had fun changing his rubbers and bats He played so much TT with all the Sydney cats Then he headed down south one day in '09 To Melbourne he came for a TT good time. He played at Dandy with me and Mars63 And sent his then girl-friend on a big shopping spree He played with pips, one side short and one long He played a nice game, rather on song. This guy who seemed friendly in words on a forum Turned out to be even greater meeting him in person. Then back he went to Sydney, his friends and his job TT and the forum stayed his passion, I think he even read my blog! No more will I see him for he was called back by our Lord He'll play TT in heaven, no doubt with pips still aboard! The game has lost a great man, too soon came his end Metalmonkey I salute you, rest in peace our great friend!

Author:	Robot Blocker [ 22 Jul 2011, 06:24 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
I'm shocked and sad at this loss of one so young, RIP young friend, i can call you one because in our short contacts you shone through as a lovely man. You always amazed me with your EJing and style jumps and i enjoyed our chats about equipment. My sincere condolences to your family and friends, you should be proud of such a nice young man.

Author:	Robot Blocker [ 22 Jul 2011, 06:26 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
RebornTTEvnglist wrote: As a mark of respect for Monkey and to show how much I personally thought of him I have composed a short poem in tribute to him and just a small part of my knowing him. I hope it rings true with some things other people knew of him also. A tribute to Metalmonkey On this TT forum I have made many a friend One of those changed to the dark side, to let his hand mend You see he had broken his hand and couldn't play normal So his game changed around and pips became formal This change had began to let his EJ urge rage So much of it documented on many a forum page This friendly young man, we knew as Metal Monkey Had succumbed to the disease we call Equipment Junkie He shared his knowledge with so many online With all he packed into life, I don't know where he found time But that was Chris, a generous soul No-one would dispute that on a forum poll! You could tell he had fun changing his rubbers and bats He played so much TT with all the Sydney cats Then he headed down south one day in '09 To Melbourne he came for a TT good time. He played at Dandy with me and Mars63 And sent his then girl-friend on a big shopping spree He played with pips, one side short and one long He played a nice game, rather on song. This guy who seemed friendly in words on a forum Turned out to be even greater meeting him in person. Then back he went to Sydney, his friends and his job TT and the forum stayed his passion, I think he even read my blog! No more will I see him for he was called back by our Lord He'll play TT in heaven, no doubt with pips still aboard! The game has lost a great man, too soon came his end Metalmonkey I salute you, rest in peace our great friend! A lovely sentiment to someone who moved you, nice one Reb.

Author:	SuperHappyFunSlider [ 22 Jul 2011, 08:41 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
RIP old buddy. i'm shocked. we'll miss you. in the words of the wise... "Only the good die young" Thanks for everything.

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Author:	Der_Echte [ 22 Jul 2011, 10:32 ]
Post subject:	Re: Farewell to our friend MetalMonkey
This bites for everyone. MM was easily a class dude and forum mate.