just found this another sad day
Letter posted on an Aussie forum,
Dear Peter,
I'm sorry to be the bringer of bad news, but my Dad slipped away this evening peacefully. He had been admitted to hospital last weekend with problems of rapid heart-rate and dizziness. He stayed in for best part of a week, and they were thinking of sending him home when he had a fall while still at the hospital. He broke his femur at the top, near the hip joint. It seems to have been the last straw for him, he lapsed into unconsciousness earlier today and just slipped away.
To be honest, it will in a way come as a relief to us, as we have charted his ups and downs and wondered how long sheer force of will would keep him hanging on. He was a fascinating man, especially accomplished in view of his humble origins. The racing pigeon fancy has lost one of its greatest stores of practical wisdom.
I will keep you informed of everything. Please let me have a phone number, so I can reach you more easily.
William (Billy) Cowell
RIP BILCO