Author Topic: RIP to BayCityJohn (Read 14762 times)

CellarDweller · « **on:** April 06, 2019, 11:07:05 pm »

Remembering BayCityJohn

It is with great sadness that I'm writing this post, to talk about the passing of John Trudell, better known on the Ultimate Brokeback Forum as BayCityJohn. BayCityJohn was one of the early members to the Ulitmate Brokeback Forum, and he quickly joined the team here as a tech specialist, volunteering his time to assist the forum with upgrades, updates, and general forum maintenance.

He attended many of the Brokie gatherings over the years. His first was the BBM Backyard BBQ in Texas, and he hosted the gathering in Bay City, Michigan, which was held on the weekend of the Academy Awards, and was considered our own protest of Brokeback Mountain's Best Picture loss to Crash. Bay City John was also part of the Ultimate Brokeback Forum Band, which performed before our private viewing of our movie.

BayCityJohn won Heath Ledger's shirt in an online auction, and he wore it to several of the gatherings. He was wearing it when he met Oscar-winnging Brokeback screenwriter Diana Ossana. Later on, John and Diana became friends, often posting on each other's Facebook pages, and he even organized a lunch for some Brokies, which was attended by Diana and her fellow screenwriter, Larry McMurtry.

BayCityJohn was featured author in the book "Beyond Brokeback, the Impact of A Film", and he took part in the two ads that were placed in Variety magazine, one to thank everyone involved with Brokeback, and one to remember Heath Ledger.

John, we can't thank you enough for all you've done for the forum, and all of us, for the past 14 years. You will be missed, and you are loved.

CellarDweller · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2019, 11:17:23 pm »

CellarDweller · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2019, 11:23:16 pm »

CellarDweller & BayCityJohn

CellarDweller · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2019, 11:28:56 pm »

Boris (Jari), KillersMom (Linda), Maturben (Bob), PaintedShoes (Jackie) & BayCityJohn (John)

CellarDweller · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2019, 11:30:09 pm »

CellarDweller · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2019, 11:35:10 pm »

Kelda · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2019, 04:58:57 am »

Long time no see Bettermost. This news via Chucks Facebook prompted me to log in

Hugs to all that need it xx

Penthesilea · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2019, 10:14:17 am »

Thank you, Chuck.
I also have some photos to share, but right now I really have a hard time to wrap my mind around it. I knew about his health issues from FB, I knew he had that huge surgery, but still, I am stunned by the fact that John is really gone.
He was such a constant presence in our little Brokie world.

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2019, 10:38:51 am »

He was a friend of mine.

Jeff Wrangler · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2019, 03:57:46 pm »

So sorry to hear this news. Thoughts with those who knew him and loved him.

Meryl · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2019, 11:43:20 pm »

Chuck, thanks so much for your writeup and pictures of John. I feel like he was a friend of mine, even though I met him in person only twice. A more kind, generous, intelligent and loving human never lived. I will miss his presence online, his genealogical posts, his pictures of Arthur (I hope he has a loving home now with a good friend) and even his medical updates. I like to think he's with Jackie and Heath and Rodney and Rich, having a ball catching them up on the news.

southendmd · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2019, 08:07:01 am »

For those not on facebook, I wanted to post this. Larry had messaged Diana Ossana with the news, and this was her reply:

"One of the highlights of my life since Brokeback was meeting a group of amazing Brokies who traveled to Tucson to meet me ~ lovely people, all of their lives deeply affected in positive ways as a result of seeing the film. I am proud to say that John Trudell became my friend, communicating often back and forth with me about our lives. Happy trails, my dear compadre and confidant...you will be deeply deeply missed."

Penthesilea · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2019, 09:28:42 am »

Thank you, Paul, for sharing it over here.

Monika and I spent two days with John last summer. He was a gentle man, beyond generous and clearly on the quiet side. When he spoke, he was so soft-spoken I sometimes had a hard time understanding him. We messaged him on our way to San Francisco and he dropped his work on short notice to make time for us and showed us around in his beautiful area.
Here are two photos from the time:

well, it doesn't work with the photos. $:-\$
I'll resize them and try again.

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2019, 04:34:43 pm »

For a time, John set his screen name as "Denver Stud." I don't think he actually planned to move to Denver, but he spent some time here. This was taken when he and Rodney visited my home and I cooked some enormous tri-tip steaks on the grill. The other picture was taken at the Castro Theater in 2007 when there was a showing of Brokeback Mountain. SFEricSF is pictured at left in front of a row of shirts and costumes from the movie.

Shakesthecoffecan · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2019, 05:13:10 pm »

This video, which John made, is perfection.

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2019, 05:14:40 pm »

A funny photo of the first time he climbed Brokenback, and a beautiful portrait of him up there, enjoying the sunset.

CellarDweller · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2019, 09:44:53 pm »

Quote from: Meryl on April 07, 2019, 11:43:20 pm

his pictures of Arthur (I hope he has a loving home now with a good friend)

I spoke to Larry on the phone, and he said that a friend/neighbor of John's was going to take Arthur in.

tforster · « **Reply #17 on:** May 01, 2019, 10:27:24 pm »

Rest in peace, sweet man.

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2021, 06:03:23 pm »

We remember Bay City John.

Here he is at the Best Buck in the Bay rodeo in 2007.

Sason · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2021, 06:58:20 pm »

News:

Author Topic: RIP to BayCityJohn (Read 14762 times)