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imported_Joshua Rowan
Guest
IN MEMORY: Benjamin "Hoomer" Parkins of Atlantic
It is with a great deal of sorrow that UO Stratics must inform our readers that one of the members of our community has died. Benjamin "Hoomer" Parkins, of the Atlantic Shard and the Blood Stone Of Evermoore Guild, was killed in an automobile accident on April 26 (see complete story below). Hoomer was a UO veteran and fan for nearly 8 years and has gained many friends throughout that time. With that in mind, we have created an "In Memory of Hoomer of Atlantic" thread in our Player Memorials Forum so that all those who knew him and all those that wish to send their condolences to the family can do so here.
The e-mail I received from Hoomer's mother really brought it home for me, and I think her comments will show you just how important Ultima Online, and this entire community, was to Hoomer. To quote her, "I know he played UO for about 8 years. He was very skilled and wealthy in gold and magic powers and had many personae...He had castles and stuff and used to talk about it non-stop and we nonplayers just glazed over when he did." - I think that all of us can probably relate...
Hoomer, who was 34, is survived by his wife and two children (ages 4 and 1), his parents, a brother and sister, and many nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins. For those that would like to take the extra step and send in a donation, the Bank of Montreal has set up a Zachery and Hunter Parkins Trust Fund, account number 8058-251, transit number 0319.
For reference, here is a copy of the story that ran in Hoomer's local newspaper, The London Free Press, on April 29, 2004: <blockquote><hr>
Driver charged in fatal crash
A trust fund has been set up for the family of the man killed in northwest London.
KELLY PEDRO, Free Press Reporter
2004-04-29 03:04:34
A Dorchester driver has been charged in a fatal crash at an intersection along London's northern boundary. Amaral Desousa Celestino, 34, is charged with careless driving, police said yesterday.
Benjamin Parkins of Nairn was killed in the crash at Sunningdale and Wonderland roads on Monday.
Yesterday, as details were announced for a trust fund to help Parkins' children, a family friend recalled the 34-year-old as a "completely devoted father."
Parkins had called his wife at 5:15 p.m. Monday to say he was heading home after picking up diapers and toilet paper. Minutes later, the pickup truck he was driving north on Wonderland was T-boned by another vehicle travelling east on Sunningdale.
Parkins was taken to hospital, where he later died.
The driver of the eastbound vehicle also was treated at hospital and released.
Parkins's family has set up a trust fund to support his two children, Zachery, 4, and Hunter, 18 months, and his common-law wife of nine years, Shannon Burnke.
"We're a close-knit community here and a lot of people wanted to help," said close friend Heather Baker.
Support for Burnke has been overwhelming, she said.
"She's coping remarkably well. She's a strong woman."
East Williams memorial school, which Zachery attends, called in a grief counsellor and lowered its flag to half-staff.
Baker said Parkins supported the family, but did not have life insurance.
When he wasn't working, Parkins often did typical father-son things with his children, such as playing video games with Zachery or playing ball, Baker said.
The quiet man also attended all his son's soccer games, she added.
"He was a really involved father," she said.
HOW TO HELP
Donations to the Zachery and Hunter Parkins Trust Fund can be made at any Bank of Montreal, account number 8058-251, transit number 0319.
<hr></blockquote>
All our prayers and thoughts go out to the family and friends of all that knew Hoomer. Again, if you would like to share some thoughts about Hoomer, please post to this thread. Keep in mind that the Player Memorial Forum is a fully moderated forum and all posts require manual approval, so it may take awhile for your post to show up.
~Joshua Rowan
UO Stratics Managing Editor
It is with a great deal of sorrow that UO Stratics must inform our readers that one of the members of our community has died. Benjamin "Hoomer" Parkins, of the Atlantic Shard and the Blood Stone Of Evermoore Guild, was killed in an automobile accident on April 26 (see complete story below). Hoomer was a UO veteran and fan for nearly 8 years and has gained many friends throughout that time. With that in mind, we have created an "In Memory of Hoomer of Atlantic" thread in our Player Memorials Forum so that all those who knew him and all those that wish to send their condolences to the family can do so here.
The e-mail I received from Hoomer's mother really brought it home for me, and I think her comments will show you just how important Ultima Online, and this entire community, was to Hoomer. To quote her, "I know he played UO for about 8 years. He was very skilled and wealthy in gold and magic powers and had many personae...He had castles and stuff and used to talk about it non-stop and we nonplayers just glazed over when he did." - I think that all of us can probably relate...
Hoomer, who was 34, is survived by his wife and two children (ages 4 and 1), his parents, a brother and sister, and many nephews, uncles, aunts, and cousins. For those that would like to take the extra step and send in a donation, the Bank of Montreal has set up a Zachery and Hunter Parkins Trust Fund, account number 8058-251, transit number 0319.
For reference, here is a copy of the story that ran in Hoomer's local newspaper, The London Free Press, on April 29, 2004: <blockquote><hr>
Driver charged in fatal crash
A trust fund has been set up for the family of the man killed in northwest London.
KELLY PEDRO, Free Press Reporter
2004-04-29 03:04:34
A Dorchester driver has been charged in a fatal crash at an intersection along London's northern boundary. Amaral Desousa Celestino, 34, is charged with careless driving, police said yesterday.
Benjamin Parkins of Nairn was killed in the crash at Sunningdale and Wonderland roads on Monday.
Yesterday, as details were announced for a trust fund to help Parkins' children, a family friend recalled the 34-year-old as a "completely devoted father."
Parkins had called his wife at 5:15 p.m. Monday to say he was heading home after picking up diapers and toilet paper. Minutes later, the pickup truck he was driving north on Wonderland was T-boned by another vehicle travelling east on Sunningdale.
Parkins was taken to hospital, where he later died.
The driver of the eastbound vehicle also was treated at hospital and released.
Parkins's family has set up a trust fund to support his two children, Zachery, 4, and Hunter, 18 months, and his common-law wife of nine years, Shannon Burnke.
"We're a close-knit community here and a lot of people wanted to help," said close friend Heather Baker.
Support for Burnke has been overwhelming, she said.
"She's coping remarkably well. She's a strong woman."
East Williams memorial school, which Zachery attends, called in a grief counsellor and lowered its flag to half-staff.
Baker said Parkins supported the family, but did not have life insurance.
When he wasn't working, Parkins often did typical father-son things with his children, such as playing video games with Zachery or playing ball, Baker said.
The quiet man also attended all his son's soccer games, she added.
"He was a really involved father," she said.
HOW TO HELP
Donations to the Zachery and Hunter Parkins Trust Fund can be made at any Bank of Montreal, account number 8058-251, transit number 0319.
<hr></blockquote>
All our prayers and thoughts go out to the family and friends of all that knew Hoomer. Again, if you would like to share some thoughts about Hoomer, please post to this thread. Keep in mind that the Player Memorial Forum is a fully moderated forum and all posts require manual approval, so it may take awhile for your post to show up.
~Joshua Rowan
UO Stratics Managing Editor