Dear friends, I am very sorry to inform you of the death today of
Patrick Handscombe, known to everyone as Paddy, at the age of 75.
Paddy was erudite, very knowledgeable about the Pianola and the
reproducing piano, ebullient, generous and his laugh was loud
and infectious. His very full life encompassed deep-sea diving,
designing hi-fi speakers, restoring player pianos and much else.
After he lost a leg in a motorbike accident, he soon acquired
the ability to pedal the player piano with his remaining leg and
latterly would encourage an onlooker -- experienced or not --
to provide the other pedalling foot. The resulting music-making
usually led to peals of laughter from all concerned.
His devotion to the Player Piano Group spanned several decades,
and at the time of his death he held the post of Vice-President.
Many will miss him.
Kind regards,
Mike Boyd - Player Piano Group
Rye, England
https://playerpianogroup.org.uk/
|