TravelTalkOnline

Farewell to an old and dear friend

Posted By: duckfat

Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 11:57 AM

With great sorrow, I pass along that Jason Helmbrecht passed away last night. Jason was diagnosed last February with glioblastoma, a very aggressive form of brain cancer. He did every treatment possible, but the disease progresses rapidly and cannot be beat. Jason was 52 years old.

He has been a close personal friend of mine for many years, and was a reliable and accurate source of information here.

I know that we will all miss him.

Fair winds, Jason
Posted By: toast

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 12:26 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. Although I never met him, his presence on this site was large and very helpful.
Prayers for his family and friends who will feel his absence in this world but can keep his memory close in their hearts.
Posted By: GeorgeC1

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 01:11 PM

My condolences, My wife lost both her sisters to the same cancer and my daughter lost her husband. Sadly there are limited and ineffective treatments available as the vast majority of cancer research money goes to lung and breast cancer.
Jason was a great contributor to this and I suspect other forums. He will be missed.
Posted By: GaryC

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 01:22 PM

This makes me very sad. I remember how helpful he was to me and others guiding us through all the pandemic travel requirements. Always ready to share his knowledge and give useful advice. So community minded. I wish the world had more of him and I wish he could still be with us.
Posted By: bailau

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 01:28 PM

Very sorry to hear. He was incredibly helpful for me and my crew for many trips and a great and gracious advocate of the islands and especially the people of the islands. CGB had lost a member of their Hall of Fame.

I knew he had brain cancer and was hoping it wasnt Glio...

Fair winds my friend
Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 01:37 PM

Wow. Sorry to hear that. I didn't know him personally, but as others here have said, he was very generous with his time and information here, and I'm sure elsewhere. Fair winds.. Condolences to his friends and family.
Posted By: MIDiver

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 01:40 PM

Oh my goodness. I am so very sorry to hear this. Jason was such a kind and helpful resource to so many. Our condolences to his family and dear friends. I will pass by CGB this week and raise a toast to Jason.
Posted By: xrayman67

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 02:05 PM

Very sorry to hear this. I met him and his wife in CGB a few years ago. He was a very nice man. Condolences to his family and friends.
Posted By: duckfat

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 02:08 PM

Jason and Tiffany

Attached picture 131231-175259.jpg
Posted By: Standrea

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 02:33 PM

So sad for everyone who knew him. He was a great guy. My heart is with Tiffany right now. Xoxoxoxoo
Posted By: LauraTheTshirtGal

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 03:12 PM

Oh this is is just devastating, what a super guy....just a heartbreaking loss in this world. My condolences to all here who are close to Jason and Tiffany, sending tons of hugs and love
Posted By: TomGarvey

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 03:16 PM

So sad. Jason, along with Tiffany, was a wonderful and valuable part of the BVI community. His passing is a big loss.
Posted By: crmoores

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 03:29 PM

Yes that is terrible news…We had not yet met Jason and were looking forward to seeing him next visit and thanking him for all his help to us. A very generous gentleman who Iwe know will be missed greatly…
Posted By: Husker

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 04:21 PM

Oh man! This is such sad news. He was the unofficial mayor of this forum. Now I know why he had gone silent on TTOL for these past many months. I loved his clear and concise writing style and impeccable grammar (so uncommon these days). I kidded him once about a rare grammatical mistake. I must have caught him on a bad day bc he didn't appreciate it. I apologized and we made up, but I still feel bad about it. He had an uncanny way of being almost terse, but in a friendly way....not mean or condescending. Always helpful, always generous with his time, and always right on with the information he shared. I wish I had good fortune of meeting him in person. He will be missed by many. My sincere condolences to Tiffany and the rest of his family.
Posted By: Manpot

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 04:43 PM

I am heartbroken,though, like others who were close to Jason and Tiff we knew this day would come. Many of us have lost a close friend...forums like this and travellers to the BVI's have lost a caring, helpful expert . I hope there will be some kind of ceremony on Jason's beloved CGB...and Anegada. Jason would like that I'm sure..and hopefully it would be good for Tiff to be surrounded by BVI Love. A very special person is now riding those warm trades...One Love Jason and Tiffany..
Posted By: HillsideView

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 04:52 PM

Great loss for those who knew him. Tiffany and Jason were living their dream and faced many obstacles with class. Godspeed Jason.
Posted By: Shifty

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 05:25 PM

Amen to all of that. Like many others of you who didn't know Jason personally, I emphatically echo all who have benefited from his insights in the forum.
Posted By: skipdastraw

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 07:57 PM

Forever grateful for his endless knowledge and willingness to help others throughout the years. He has helped so many in so many ways, especially post-covid when nobody had any idea how to navigate a return!
Fair Winds and Following seas.......
Posted By: caribbeangirl13

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 08:36 PM

So sad to read of Jason's passing. Another good soul gone too soon and the reason I firmly believe we need to live life to the fullest while we can!
Posted By: louismcc

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/29/2023 09:22 PM

If I ever needed some guidance through the chaos that surrounded getting to the BVI during Covid, I could always count on Jason. I had hoped to one day buy him a beer when in CGB.

Very sad and prayers for him and his family.
Posted By: LauraTheTshirtGal

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/30/2023 02:31 AM

Originally Posted by louismcc
If I ever needed some guidance through the chaos that surrounded getting to the BVI during Covid, I could always count on Jason. I had hoped to one day buy him a beer when in CGB.

Very sad and prayers for him and his family.



He helped us so much with that as well frown
Posted By: ohstate

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/30/2023 02:48 AM

Pouring one out for Jason.
Posted By: ndfaninnc

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/30/2023 01:19 PM

I am absolutely heartbroken. I was never fortunate enough to meet Jason in person. But between this board and multiple DM's he was very helpful navigating the ever changing covid days. I chatted with him shortly after he was diagnosed. We both knew this day was inevitable. Rest in peace Jason.

Unofficial mayor of this board is a perfect description.
Posted By: Brent

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/30/2023 02:57 PM

Ahoy Captains,

He is a Hero for all the Information and Integrity the He was able to Share.
I hope a Beacon of Character for TTOL into the Future.

Brent, from thecaptainscompass.com
Posted By: Rush

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/30/2023 03:01 PM

So sorry to hear and my thoughts and prayers are with Jason's family and friends. Always knew you were getting the best insight when it was from him. I will also offer a toast and a pour to Jason in CGB next month.
Posted By: RatmansWife

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/30/2023 04:32 PM

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jason's loved ones. I was reviewing the many conversations Jason and I had over the years about the BVI. A very helpful guy who will be much missed.
Posted By: Time Will Tell

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/30/2023 04:40 PM

Sincere condolences to Jason's family and friends. He was definitely one of the good ones - his presence will be missed.
Posted By: Slug

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/30/2023 08:37 PM

I was looking for some guidance w/r to some business dealings I had in RT a couple years back. I have never met Jason in person, but he PM'd me and we went back and forth. He so thorough and concise, he could not have held my hand and literally walked me through the process any better. This, for someone he had never met, nor had anything really to gain. Fair Winds Jason, I will always remember.
Posted By: Bvicatter

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/30/2023 09:18 PM

Over many years and charters, enjoyed and valued Jason's insights and kindness.
Condolences to his family. We have lost a great man.
Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/31/2023 12:19 AM

duckfat--I don't know whether Tiffany is on TTOL or not, but at some point, it would be lovely if you called her attention to this thread or printed it out for her to keep.
Posted By: DanS

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/31/2023 03:57 AM

I never met Jason, nor did I even communicate with him directly on TTOL. But I always took note of his helpful and friendly posts. Thanks Jason -- I'll miss you.

The world is a poorer place today.

Dan
Posted By: Deepcut

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 01/31/2023 01:38 PM

Knowing his diagnosis, I knew this day would come sooner rather than later. Glioblastoma has taken several of my friends way too early.

My wife and I met Jason and Tiffany in person at CGB not long before his diagnosis.

Jason was always so helpful to first time as well as more veteran BVI visitors. He will be missed.

I pray Tiffany feels the love and virtual hugs from so many here on TTOL, as well as those who are physically in her presence.

RIP, Jason.
Posted By: duckfat

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 02/01/2023 06:42 PM

Jason's obituary
Posted By: TomGarvey

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 02/01/2023 10:32 PM

Thank you for posting this. Jason’s was a life well lived.
Posted By: Manpot

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 02/01/2023 11:01 PM

We are all the better for having known him..
Posted By: tradewinds

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 02/02/2023 01:04 AM

So sad
Posted By: steve74

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 02/02/2023 01:19 PM

There are some great people on this forum, and Jason was a shining example of the giving nature that makes this group special. My hope is that we will all remember his example in the years ahead when sharing our perspectives, knowledge, etc. I can’t think of a better way to honor him, Nick, and others who gave of themselves for the betterment of others.
Posted By: bagsarepacked

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 02/02/2023 08:40 PM

I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Such a wonderful person. He was such a help to me planning my trip just post Covid. I am extremely grateful I was able to meet Jason and Tiffany and treat him to a thank you for your help cocktail. Was a great happy hour. He will be very missed here and in CGB. May he rest in peace.
Posted By: jagmansr

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 02/03/2023 12:00 AM

After all the years exchanging posts, I never realized Jason was from New Albany, Ohio,, just 5 miles from me. If there’s a celebration of his life service in town, I’ll be there. Rest in Peace.
Posted By: LauraTheTshirtGal

Re: Farewell to an old and dear friend - 02/03/2023 01:24 PM

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/gahanna-oh/jason-helmbrecht-11128030 ......so very kind of them to choose the BVI Humane Society for memorial donations ... also there are some really nice pics just posted here http://bvipirate.com/Jason/
© 2024 TravelTalkOnline