Honouring those who have left us

[Mayhem]

Following the sad passing of Cynthia (Cynlee) on the Dojo, the decision has been taken to note and honour those Usagi fans whom we have lost. A new rank of "Sennin" has been created and allocated to her, forever meaning her presence here will be preserved.

This rank (meaning "immortal") is designed for any Usagi fan on the Dojo that is no longer with us. If anyone is aware of other Dojo members who have sadly passed and would like to see them knighted in such way, then please PM one of the moderators here on the board.

ROLL OF HONOUR
Sharon Sakai
Kim Thompson
Cynthia Fluharty (Cynlee)
Dougie McCoy (dougiemccoy)
Gary Nishimura

[Steve Hubbell]

The rank of Sennin has also been bestowed upon the late Dougie McCoy (1963 - 2013).....

[Stan Sakai]

This is a great idea.

[maichan]

Such a wonderful gesture.

Just an idea, but perhaps this thread (or a new one) could be pinned (stickyed), and a list of the Sennin could be kept in the first post?

[Lobster Johnson]

This is a good idea, and a nice way to honor Dojo members who have passed away.

[Maka]

[Steve Hubbell]

I, for one, hope that the number of Dojo members who are promoted to the rank of "Sennin" remains very limited for as long as possible because losing fellow Usagi fans in never fun.

[Mayhem]

Indeed. It's one of those things, the internet brings people together from all over the world, but it means you discover losing more people who have touched your life in some way.

[Todd Shogun]

I'd like to add Kim Thompson to this list. He was Usagi's editor when Stan was at Fantagraphics and a huge promoter of Stan and many other furry/anthro creators in the 80s-90s. He passed untimley in June 2013. In the early days of the Dojo, Kim was very helpful in getting me content that would have otherwise taken hours upon hours of time to recreate or just go without. He was instrumental in supporting the launch of the Dojo.

[Mayhem]

Done there Todd

[coolray85]

I wanted to add that I think this is a lovely idea...

[Gaffey]

I was watching some videos on YouTube and came across this interview that has Cynlee (starting around 2:08).

[Todd Shogun]

Added Gary Nishimura to the list. Gary of Gary's Corner Bookstore (GCB) was a great friend and early supporter of the Dojo. His store was a comic book store in San Gabriel that he operated part-time. That was the outlet for Stan's comic purchases for many years, and he continued purchasing from Gary even after he closed his doors. Gary's furry likeness appeared a few times in the Usagi comics as an anthropomorphic storekeeper in cameos. It was through Gary that the Dojo linked up with his brother Don Nishimura who has done all of the UYD t-shirts. Gary passed away untimely on January 4, 2015 due to complications with diabetes.

Back in 1998 I did a short interview of Stan and Gary at GCB:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zn_GDRtobo

Rest in peace Gary
http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignit ... id=6269867

Gary will Always be Gary.
His kindness, generosity and honesty
touched us all in so many different ways.
Do not be sad, but take comfort in the thought
that we were the chosen few invited past the
wooden gate and into his comic book kingdom.
And although that kingdom is gone from this
earth, we can rejoice in the knowledge that
even now he is preparing a new comic book
kingdom for us beyond a new gate.
However, for the present, we will miss him.
Thank you for being his friend.

[Maka]

Nice tribute, Todd. Thanks for adding Gary. I shopped at his store between 1988-1990s. I remember seeing him in two Usagi trade paperbacks and thinking, "That's so cool that I guy I know is in Usagi!" I loved his store because it was jammed packed with back issue boxes on top of boxes. This was a treasure hunt palace before eBay and the internet. Thank you, Gary. You started my love of comics at age 18. Peace, maka

[richarddragon]

Oh, I remember his as a bookkeeper, yes.

Rest in peace, Gary!