R.I.P. Jambo

Honestman · 17 April 2022, 18:51

It’s with great sadness that I pass on news that my Dad, Billy Steel (Jambo) passed away on Thursday night.
Billy held the people he met on Ribnet in the highest regard, and the friends he met and the conversations he had on here brought him much happiness.
His greatest and longest lasting passion was boats, beginning with working on the fishing boats as a boy, through having a small day boat when I was young, up to buying “Breawatch” together. He was a treasurer with the local branch of the R.N.L.I. and loved spending time with the crew.
As many would know he loved sharing his knowledge of “the west” and couldn’t wait to tell me about those of you who would come and visit the waters. He delighted in meeting you all at Easdale for the”Rib Rendezvous” and looked forward to it all winter.
He was a safe and assured boater with extensive knowledge of all elements required for an enjoyable sail.
Billy struggled since my Mum died, and never recovered any motivation or real joy in life, no matter how hard we tried.
I’m happy to post details of the funeral when it becomes available, and I can add the eulogy at a later date.
Many thanks to you all.
Sleep tight, Captain.

Honestman · 17 April 2022, 18:56

https://share.icloud.com/photos/084l...fSQ#Loch_Sween

This is Jambo, with his favourite First Mate tearing down Loch Sween late in the season a few years ago.

Pikey Dave · 17 April 2022, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honestman

It’s with great sadness that I pass on news that my Dad, Billy Steel (Jambo) passed away on Thursday night.

Billy held the people he met on Ribnet in the highest regard, and the friends he met and the conversations he had on here brought him much happiness.

His greatest and longest lasting passion was boats, beginning with working on the fishing boats as a boy, through having a small day boat when I was young, up to buying “Breawatch” together. He was a treasurer with the local branch of the R.N.L.I. and loved spending time with the crew.

As many would know he loved sharing his knowledge of “the west” and couldn’t wait to tell me about those of you who would come and visit the waters. He delighted in meeting you all at Easdale for the”Rib Rendezvous” and looked forward to it all winter.

He was a safe and assured boater with extensive knowledge of all elements required for an enjoyable sail.

Billy struggled since my Mum died, and never recovered any motivation or real joy in life, no matter how hard we tried.

I’m happy to post details of the funeral when it becomes available, and I can add the eulogy at a later date.

Many thanks to you all.

Sleep tight, Captain.

Very sad news & a shock. Regrettably, I never met Billy, but we had many conversations on PM. He was a very straight talking man with great depth. He’ll be sadly missed.
Condolences to you & your family.

Honestman · 17 April 2022, 19:00

Thanks Dave. Much appreciated

willk · 17 April 2022, 20:03

David,

Very sad news and I'm truly sorry to hear it. Aside from the various escapades in the west where we all met, we once made a passage to Girvan for lunch with them - a great double act. Billy certainly took that loss hard. When my father died a few years ago, he had some personal observations on the subject that lifted me a bit. I feel your loss.

Richard

Honestman · 17 April 2022, 20:21

Richard, thanks for those kind words. He very much enjoyed your company and the special effort you always made for him.
Billy had a lot of respect for you and I’m glad he had a positive influence during a difficult time for you.
I hope this finds you well.

A1an · 17 April 2022, 20:22

Im so very sorry to hear of your loss David. The world will be worse off without his knowledge and humour.

Sincerest condolences to you and your family.

Truly gutted.

Fenlander · 17 April 2022, 20:47

Truly sorry to hear this news David. A few years back Billy was very generous with offering information that helped us stay in his favoured village in the west. Eventually we met both on the water seal watching part way down Loch Sween and then afterwards at the pontoon. He was always a gent to me on here when I was a newbie and we often inserted old days boat chat into threads.

Regards,

David W

Honestman · 17 April 2022, 20:50

Thanks Alan, I really appreciate your kind words. Billy was very fond of sharing your company, and enjoying your culinary talents.
Having spent several years in the Oban area as a boy he enjoyed talking to you about the waters around there.
I hope you are doing okay.

Honestman · 17 April 2022, 20:54

Thanks David, I can assure you that he would have loved to do nothing more than meeting up with a new friend and showing them the Tayvallich area. He was a gent and although Billy could be difficult to get to know, when you did he was a friend for life.

A1an · 17 April 2022, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honestman

Thanks Alan, I really appreciate your kind words. Billy was very fond of sharing your company, and enjoying your culinary talents.
Having spent several years in the Oban area as a boy he enjoyed talking to you about the waters around there.
I hope you are doing okay.

doing away fine David if not a little shocked and saddened to hear about your Dad.

FoxZulu · 17 April 2022, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honestman

https://share.icloud.com/photos/084l...fSQ#Loch_Sween

This is Jambo, with his favourite First Mate tearing down Loch Sween late in the season a few years ago.

That picture paints more than any words can...

Fenlander · 17 April 2022, 21:04

Sadly we didn't ever take a group picture I can upload but here is our SIB in 2016 moored beside Breawatch after Billy had tucked her up for the night.

John Kennett · 17 April 2022, 21:09

So sorry to hear this news. Billy was a proper RIBnet stalwart and will be missed by all of us.

jeffstevens763@g · 17 April 2022, 21:23

Dear David I’m gutted to hear of Billy’s passing I knew he was struggling after you mum passed. I never met him we had plans but it never happened we had many a chat on PM on here tayvalich was a big topic and the wee barn we stayed in years ago I am so sorry for you’re loss he was a great bloke but you know that, all the best

Jeff

Honestman · 17 April 2022, 21:37

Thanks for that picture, David. It’s always nice to see other photographs.

Thanks for taking the time to post such a nice comment, John.

Jeff, he would have loved to hear of you staying at “The Wee Barn”, I’m sure. I have no doubt he mentioned our holidays there when I was a wee boy, the fact that there was only one room and they had an outdoor “lavvy” in the garden next to the water. Nice to hear from you.

Honestman · 17 April 2022, 21:39

Thanks for that nice comment, FoxZulu

Poly · 18 April 2022, 06:42

Sorry for your loss, and thanks for letting us know. He added interest and variety to this place, just as he did in real life and certainly our trips to TV will not be quite the same without the possibility of bumping into Billy.

Hopefully we will catch you around sometime if you are up there, or you get dragged to the in-laws.

Bern Hanreck · 18 April 2022, 06:45

My sincere condolences to you and all other family and friends . I met Billy once or twice on the ScotRibs cruises with Doug Crockett . I think I may have disturbed him once having a power nap , late lunchtime on the pontoons at Tobermory . He struck me as a knowledgeable chap who had time to meet , greet and make welcome everyone he happened across in the boating world . RIP Billy .

Honestman · 18 April 2022, 07:30

Thanks Poly and Bern for those kind words. It’s always nice to hear stories and interactions that Dad had.
This was his social media platform, really the only one he used, because he felt a a real connection with those he interacted with. A brotherhood even. I guess that’s what the sea brings- people together.