Frank Greaney (FrankieG) – RIP
I received the following news this morning from Paul Greaney (Frank’s brother)
Hello
Just wanted to let you know , my brother Frank Greaney, a regular contributor to 15-squared as FrankieG, died on 4th May.
In mid-March, he’d had a serious and high-risk operation due to arteriosclerosis. There were complications a few weeks after he was discharged and he was readmitted to hospital 2 weeks ago and, despite another major operation to remedy the fault to a bypass graft, some of his vital organs were damaged and he never recovered from an induced coma he was put into so as to recover. He was 70 in December last year.
His last posting was on 29 April in relation to the puzzle, ‘Guardian 29,681 – Philistine‘. ‘. You’ll know him also from his profile pic which was the RCA record label on the 7″ single of David Bowie’s The Jean Genie which (I believe) was an oblique – and slightly cryptic? – reference to our surname, given the song lyric ‘Poor little greenie’.
He had remarked to me recently, lamenting the fact that so many of his favourite crossword setters were dying due to their age and that the fiendishly difficult puzzles he enjoyed solving might start to fade out. Perhaps he departed the puzzle world before that started to happen in earnest.
Feel free to let others on the forum know if they may remember him in whatever communication method you see fit. I’m pretty sure Frank would not mind at all being commemorated in this way.
Regards,
Paul Greaney, younger brother
What sad news , very sorry for the family loss .
I had noticed the lack of comments and hoped Frankie was just taking a break .
I will remember his love of finding links to anniversaries in so many puzzles .
We shared a love of Yes (Prime) Minister and disdain for Thatcher .
Sad news indeed. I feel that regular posters here are almost like family and this news comes as a big shock. Frank was a great researcher of topics, often spotting themes that nobody else did. These extras are one of the great things on this site and I’m sure many of us will sorely miss FrankieG posts.
Terribly sorry to hear this. I was in awe of his ability to spot my themes to the extent that I sometimes checked the room to make sure he wasn’t there while I was creating them.
Commiserations and best wishes to the family.
Many commiserations for the sad loss.
I have missed him recently and will continue to miss his posts, particularly his ability to spot themes and find fun references and links
This is very sad indeed–he is one of the community members here that I felt like I almost knew–he put his personality into every one of his posts.
About 6 months ago, I had cause to exchange a couple of mails with him.
I will copy here the closing sentence I felt compelled to add:
“… but this does give me opportunity to say thanks for often providing astute comments including more information like this. Contributions like yours are the making of fifteensquared.”
Horribly sad news.
Commiserations to his younger bruv.
I am very sorry to hear this news. FrankieG’s comments were always spirited, illuminating, and most welcome on my blog posts.
RIP
I’m shocked and really upset about this, his additional knowledge and spotting of things was fantastic. I’ll miss his input even through I’m on hiatus from blogging. Farewell Frankie
First thought was But he was posting just the other day! Sad news indeed, RIP valued contributor.
I was dismayed and saddened to hear of Frankie’s passing. His posts were full of verve and he’ll be missed here. Like others, I was astounded by his knack for theme- and anniversary-spotting. He had a quick-silver mind without resorting to pedantry.
My sympathies to the family and RIP Frankie.
Very sad news. I didn’t have any contact with him but I am feeling very sad. I used to love his posts. I will certainly miss his exceptional contribution to 225.
My heartfelt confidences to his family members.
I always loved reading his posts, consistently generous and good-humoured, and, as others have said, with a meticulous eye for aspects of a theme that might otherwise have been overlooked – as well as some connections that not even the setters themselves would have been aware of.
Best wishes to his family and others close to him.
Sad news. Condolences to Frank’s family. As others have said, his ability to spot a theme – even one that wasn’t there – was uncanny. It won’t be quite the same here without his contributions.
I feel like I know FrankieG a little, even though I never met him. Commenting on my puzzles, he often spotted/appreciated things that others didn’t – it’s human to be given a lift by such acknowledgement. His positive contributions will be missed.
I’m shocked and saddened. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve posted, “thanks to FrankieG” for his insight and informed explanations.
It’s telling, that I (and I am sure many others), had noticed his absence on the forums of late. He will be sadly missed.
My thoughts are with Frank’s family and friends.
me@12
I meant condolences. Sorry.
Paul Greaney
I re-read the last two posts by FrankieG (both on Tom, Dick and Harry).
My eyes became wet.
I have learnt a lot from him. Many thanks to him.
What terribly sad news. Such was his talent for spotting themes- and anniversaries – that, when putting together a puzzle with themed elements and incorporating a few that were, shall we say, less obvious themers, I would smile at the idea that “FrankieG will probably spot these”. That’s a real loss and my thoughts go to his family and friends.
What desperately sad news – deepest condolences to his family.
So sad. I feel like I have lost a companion, even though we never met. Just yesterday, while trying to guess at Phi’s theme, I was thinking “Where’s FrankieG, when you need him?”
Awful news. As others have said, his posts were always a delight to read. Thoughts are with family and friends. RIP
Very sad news. Frankie’s enthusiastic contributions here will indeed be sadly missed.
My condolences to his family.
Very sad to hear.
May Frankie Rest in Peace, condolences to his family.
RIP FrankieG, a beautiful mind.
His nephew fron te Basque Country,
Aitor.
I’m very sorry to hear this – Frank’s comments were always well-considered and he will be sorely missed here.
RIP Frank Greaney
That’s terribly sad news. I always enjoyed reading FrankieG’s posts and marvelling at the connections that he managed to make, whether or not they were intended by the setter! He will be sorely missed here. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Sad to hear. One of my puzzles last year was for a musical anniversary, and I thought “I bet Frankie G spots it!” Sure enough, his was the first comment, and he went on to list all the other references. Thanks for playing, Frankie. RIP and condolences to family and friends. Thanks for letting us know, Paul.
Ah, sorry to hear this, very sad. A very valued contributor to the site. Condolences to the family.
FrankieG was the first name I looked for on the blog. Always insightful and entertaining. A sad loss.
RIP FrankieG.
He certainly knew how to post here at 225 but, as eventually I came to realise, he was absolutely bang on. Sad to hear of the manner of his passing too, esp as my old dad had some rotten luck along similar lines.
Condolences to his family and friends.
Deepest condolences to FrankieG’s family and loved ones.
He invariably had solid comments to make, and his absence will be 225’s loss.
RIP FrankieG.
FrankieG epitomized the spirit of 225. He obviously loved his cryptics, and he loved to share that with us. As others have said, we have lost a good friend, and we will miss him. Thank you, Frankie, for being who you were.
A sad loss. When commenters enrich the blogs by providing extra information and insight, it turns the whole thing into a true collaborative enterprise. I really appreciate this – and FrankieG could always be relied upon to add something.
This moved me to look back to the last contribution FrankieG made to one of my posts, and it’s a perfect example. You can see how much his input was valued by the number of commenters replying to or referencing his comment.
Condolences to Paul and to the rest of Frank’s family and friends.
Sad news indeed.
And it is much appreciated that Frankie’s brother has taken the trouble to let us know of his passing.
I loved FrankieG’s energy, curiosity, and his good natured and interesting posts.
My condolences to his family – and to our 225 community.
This is so sad. He always struck such a friendly tone on here – kind, learned and entertaining, we will remember him with real fondness. Sincere condolences to his family.
Very sad indeed, my condolences Paul but thank you (and Ken) for letting us know. I enjoyed FrankieG’s posts which, in the modern parlance, added plenty of value post-solve, and he put me onto some good music too.
What terrible news. I always enjoyed reading FrankieG’s many comments. My condolences to his family and friends.
I echo the sentiments here – FrankieG was a valuable contributor to the Fifteensquared community and will be missed.
Please accept my condolences and best wishes to the family.
This is terribly sad news. I always sought out his humorous comments and he will be missed indeed. RIP FrankieG.
RIP my brother Frankie (younger sister here).
He was a very intelligent, brilliant mind and will be missed terribly by all his siblings.
It’s comforting reading all your lovely comments, so thank you everyone.