Very Sad News

CousinVinnie · April 08, 2023, 16:34:49 PM

This is a much much belated post. I met RatMan in Pikeville and it was him that gave me the moniker Cuz'n Vinnie at the last dinner we had. I respected him for his humor and his toughness and tenderness. As a matter of fact, my wife still invokes his name when I ride. Nuff said... See ya in the here after, Canuck,

OR Seedman · June 19, 2018, 19:01:12 PM

Thank you Andy for being such a great source of information and have an absolutely terrific sense of humor....you will be greatly missed, my friend...RIP

KEN. · June 19, 2018, 02:57:54 AM

Hello All.......Just logged on ......Expecting some jovial humour ...Not to be.......Ratman your will be missed!!!...KEN.

Tfrank59 · June 18, 2018, 20:34:29 PM

Andy, AKA Ratman, was a really great friend online to all of us. He will be missed. And I wonder if somebody can step up and fill his rather large shoes. I'm pretty sure he'd want that.

FYI I asked about him on the 800 site because a post there seemed to imply something happened and I suspected he had passed (somebody mentioned a memorial), and then I searched and lo and behold on the general discussion here we are. Very sad. Perhaps someone can post a brief obituary notice for him on the 800 site, for those of us that don't normally browse the General discussion site?

Trall · June 16, 2018, 17:08:18 PM

R.I.P brother Andy. I've been out of the loop and got onto the forum today. Another member Gene told me of his passing.
I remember Andy was always there to help if you had a question or problem.
He was one of the heartbeats of this forum that was a invaluable source of information and wise cracks.

Earlier I just saw his finished Raven build and posted on the quality of his finished Drifter.

Brother Drifter in peace now.
God Bless him and his family.

RockinRollin · June 04, 2018, 12:10:45 PM

He was one of those larger than life individuals.

Zoar · June 04, 2018, 12:07:31 PM

Quote from: greenbarn on June 01, 2018, 22:02:31 PM
Well, I we can try, LOL...

Not sure if you knew, but Andy was planning on making a trip to see you this summer, to go out for a pizza. He had recruited me to go, if I could go too, and we'd meet there. He was working on getting some other folks to go to. I miss the guy already.

Oh yea, he was threatening to come see me and reminded me of that threat often. He definitely enjoyed playing at being in your face. yes he will be missed.

pcarrell · June 02, 2018, 21:49:40 PM

Somehow, the world just isn't the same anymore. Andy and I had kept in contact since my accident, and he will be missed greatly. Prayers for his friends and family.

greenbarn · June 01, 2018, 22:02:31 PM

Quote from: Zoar on May 31, 2018, 10:30:16 AM
Indeed.

My condolences and kind thoughts to his family and friends.

He will be missed.

Who will abuse me on this forum now?

Well, I we can try, LOL...

Not sure if you knew, but Andy was planning on making a trip to see you this summer, to go out for a pizza. He had recruited me to go, if I could go too, and we'd meet there. He was working on getting some other folks to go to. I miss the guy already.

Brownie · June 01, 2018, 16:50:11 PM

Condolences to his Family and friends .best wishes from Australia

mittico68 · May 31, 2018, 12:41:50 PM

R.I.P., Andy.
You will be missed, for sure.

Zoar · May 31, 2018, 10:30:16 AM

Quote from: DriftinGirl on May 30, 2018, 18:05:35 PM
Thinking of Andy today. Tough day for his family, the final goodbye. R.I.P.

Indeed.

My condolences and kind thoughts to his family and friends.

He will be missed.

Who will abuse me on this forum now?

greenbarn · May 30, 2018, 21:46:41 PM

Quote from: DriftinGirl on May 30, 2018, 18:05:35 PM
Thinking of Andy today. Tough day for his family, the final goodbye. R.I.P.

Same here. I'm going to miss him.

DriftinGirl · May 30, 2018, 18:05:35 PM

Thinking of Andy today. Tough day for his family, the final goodbye. R.I.P.

tj · May 27, 2018, 06:37:08 AM

OMG...absolutely awful news. RIP Ratman.

Pilgrim · May 26, 2018, 10:50:50 AM

Good pics Tracy, I only met Andy one time ..at the Pikeville rally but have kept in touch since then, I regretfully missed the Norhtern rally and was looking forward to the Soo rally 19. Andy loved Drifters (800s for some reason) lol. and he knew allot about them. He had a sense of humor that you sometimes didnt know how to take unless you knew him. I know his health was bad , he had many issues, but never let them stop him from doing what needed to be done. He recently built on to his house while building his beloved Raven doing all the work himself. Andy was a wonderful person, a proud veteran, a friend, and a valuable member of this forum. We will all miss him and never forget him. Ride free my brother....

Can you feel the wind in Heaven
Can you hear me call your name
Can you see the tears that fall
This world wont ever be the same

Can you feel the wind in Heaven
When we gather in our group
Can you hear the sound of silence
When we look where you once stood.

Can you feel the wind in Heaven
Can you hear the ladies cry
Can you feel our broken hearts
When we have to say goodbye

Can you feel the wind in Heaven
While the men hold back the tears
Leather clad and watery eyes
And know we'd rather have you here

I hope there is a Biker Heaven
And we will meet again someday
I hope to feel the wind in Heaven
And shake your hand again that day

~author unknown

greenbarn · May 26, 2018, 09:54:12 AM

I'm going to miss the old guy

2beers · May 25, 2018, 19:12:08 PM

From Blue and Princess

greenbarn · May 25, 2018, 19:08:56 PM

I just spoke with Andy's sister, Liz. The calling hours will be at the funeral home, and it doesn't sound like there will be a "funeral procession". She said the coroner ruled the death as a heart attack, complicated by his diabetes, and he died peacefully in his sleep.

greenbarn · May 25, 2018, 17:53:04 PM

The Obit says to donate to Ride For Dad, which is an upcoming ride for prostate cancer that Andy regularly supported.

http://www.ridefordad.ca/nipissing/

Calling hours Wed, 5/30. Anybody planning to go??

Old Drifter · May 25, 2018, 16:26:35 PM

Quote from: kw-retrorider on May 25, 2018, 14:29:06 PM
Greenbarn: If you hear anything else or there is anything we can do...an obit; a place to contribute; anything...please post.

I can't believe it man....just shows none of us know how much time we have. Ride while you can.

I will now go toast the Ratman...

Here's the obituary. https://www.mcguintyfuneralhome.com/notices/Andrew-Ratkai

kw-retrorider · May 25, 2018, 14:29:06 PM

Greenbarn: If you hear anything else or there is anything we can do...an obit; a place to contribute; anything...please post.

I can't believe it man....just shows none of us know how much time we have. Ride while you can.

I will now go toast the Ratman...

kw-retrorider · May 25, 2018, 14:18:05 PM

This is very sad indeed and a shock. Always had great conversations with Andy on and off the forum. He was always looking out for everyone else. Makes me really sorry I missed his northern Drift-In...at least we have the video.

Did he have a health condition we were unaware of or that he didn't make common knowledge? It didn't occur to me that he was punching a bucket list. Just so sudden and unexpected.

Rest in peace my fellow 800 rider....

shunter v8 · May 25, 2018, 13:59:30 PM

I am gutted to hear this sad news, I only got an email from him last week with many pictures of Raven, we loved the guy over here with his wicked banter that got us in trouble on the uk forum but who cares it was funny, Andy had a heart of gold and will be very sadly missed.

chief · May 25, 2018, 11:07:12 AM

Another friend waiting for us down the road.

Very Sad News

pcarrell