Popular Phuket Expat Resident Mick Tonkin Is Dead

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Popular Phuket expat resident Mick Tonkin is dead

The popular Mick Tonkin will be remembered for his dry sense of humor

and ever-present smile.

PHUKET: -- The well-known Phuket businessman and computer software entrepreneur Mick Tonkin has died suddenly in Bangkok.

Mick collapsed as he arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport early on Wednesday evening for a business meeting. Efforts to revive him at the scene and later in hospital were unsuccessful. It is understood he suffered a massive heart attack.

Born in south London at the height of the Blitz in World War II, Mick enjoyed a productive international career in the world of new technology, including the management of the first Apple store in the United Kingdom.

He and his partner, Carol Fryer, the secretary of the Phuket International Women’s Club, moved to Phuket in 1996 where they established A++ Software, pioneering accounting software for businesses in Thailand.

Mick was in Bangkok seeking to expand the operation when he died.

His friends remember Mick as “quiet” but “very sociable” and “with a dry sense of humor”. But he had another side in which he indulged his passions – Formula 1 racing. He will be remembered for the many years he and Carol hosted an open-house breakfast for up to 100 guests at their Thalang home on the day of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

A service and wake for Mick will be held within the next few days, finalised once details of family member arrivals from the UK are known.

Information regarding the ceremony will be posted on this site as soon as available

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-02-04

[Boater]

very sad news RIP

But please, change the Title !! , who writes and proofs this stuff !!

instead of

Popular Phuket expat resident Mick Tonkin is dead

should be

Popular Phuket expat resident Mick Tonkin has Sadly Passed Away or Has Sadly Died, or Died.... not the wording Mick Tonkin is Dead !!!

[whybother]

RIP ... I knew Mick relating to his software ... a competitor ... nice guy

[paulfromphuket]

RIP ... I knew Mick relating to his software ... a competitor ... nice guy

I also knew Mick, and have attended the F1 mornings with the bloody mary's and bacon butties. He was a truly decent man and my deepest sypathy goes to Carol at this awfull time.

I would say Mick was a man that never a bad word was said about him by anyone, quite a rare thing on this island.

[GeorgeO]

very sad news RIP

But please, change the Title !! , who writes and proofs this stuff !!

instead of

Popular Phuket expat resident Mick Tonkin is dead

should be

Popular Phuket expat resident Mick Tonkin has Sadly Passed Away or Has Sadly Died, or Died.... not the wording Mick Tonkin is Dead !!!

Boater,

I agree entirely with your comment. That was also the first thing that came into my mind when I saw the title.

Insensitive to say the least

[Jingthing]

RIP. "Passed away" is a euphemism (common with certain classes/regions of Americans) and too polite/evasive for a news headline. The text is fine; this is a news section.

For example,

Edited February 5, 2011 by Jingthing

[KarenBravo]

I met him a couple of times and he seemed a decent enough bloke. RIP.

Don't agree with changing the title. I'll take the unvarnished truth over a euphemism any time.

[RoyHarsip]

I'll take the unvarnished truth over a euphemism any time.

agree..

i remember as a kid waking up to see the newspaper on the morning breakfast table with its front page bold headline... "Elvis Is Dead"

[MAJIC]

RIP. "Passed away" is a euphemism (common with certain classes/regions of Americans) and too polite/evasive for a news headline. The text is fine; this is a news section.

For example,

Yes,and the real tear jerker,on the front page of the Daily Mail in 1977 :"The King is Dead" that headline hit me at the time, blunt to say the least.

Royharsip,sorry I didnt scroll back and see you had already Posted the same.

Edited February 6, 2011 by MAJIC