In Memoriam

To have your message posted here please email it to Gudrun. All messages are posted in date order.

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Feb 28, 2003
Hail the Manx!

Finnr touched the lives of many people across the known world. There
is a piece of the Debatable Lands (AEthelmearc) in sorrow tonight for
his passing. One man there once said there are three people who he
would take Norse information from without asking for their sources:
Thora Sharptooth, Gunnora Hallakava, and Finnr Grimulfsson.

The world was better for his presence.

Hrefna in heppna Thorgrimsdottir
called Raven

Feb 28, 2003
A man's wealth is measured by his friends , master finnr is the wealthiest man I have ever known.
He is a nobleman amongst men.
He is a gentleman amongst Nobels.
He is alive and well , in the hearts of all that knew him.
Should any of us live long enough to set a standard so high.
to master finnr , vevot !!

Aaron MacAlpine

Feb 28, 2003
Hail and farewell to a fine friend to all.
As a friend of James's for many years, I was shocked when Monica called.
I still can't believe it, as if it were not really true.

Full of heart and help.
Learning and researching.
Organize and do.
Find it and pass it on.
Finnr/James will be missed.
His name not forgotten.
In this, he will live forever.

Sheawulf

Feb 28, 2003
Hail the Manx!

Finnr touched the lives of many people across the known world. There
is a piece of the Debatable Lands (AEthelmearc) in sorrow tonight for
his passing. One man there once said there are three people who he
would take Norse information from without asking for their sources:
Thora Sharptooth, Gunnora Hallakava, and Finnr Grimulfsson.

The world was better for his presence.

Hrefna in heppna Thorgrimsdottir
called Raven

Feb 28, 2003
To all friends and family of James,

I barely knew James, but he was the last real contact that I had with the SCA. As such I valued what contact I had with him, be it by e-mail or when he came into Ukrop's where I work to talk. I remember dinners with him when the SCA met at Ruby Tuesday's years ago. This past Sunday, I made an attempt to regain contact with other members of the SCA with the invitation to see Daedevil. James took me up on it. His death comes as a shock. I have forwarded his web page and memorial information to the baheads list where others knew and some had only just met him. I send my thoughts out to Karen and David. Feel free to keep stopping by at Ukrop's, Karen.

Sincerely,
Bert Schmid

Mar 3, 2003
Greetings, one and all.

Master Finnr Grimulfsson was a friend of mine. He was a skillful craftsman, an excellent organizer, and a dedicated teacher. He was full of life and good humor, with always a kind word for anyone. I find myself fondly remembering many events from his life, albiet with a tear in my eye, some of the things he might have been proud to have remembered. I hope you will permit me to share some of them.

I remember him proudly reciting the Laws of the Thing, looking every inch the Lawspeaker of Viking Thing, as though he had just stepped off the Law Rock in Iceland. I remember him reenacting for and educating the public in his Viking Merchant persona at Military Through the Ages. I remember him leading a workshops (many!) in which he cozened crude wood into viking-age reproductions suitable for events, and taught others to do so as well. I remember working with him in his workshop in Powhatan, and marveling as he turned bone and antler into finely carved sewing and nalbinding needles. I think it's worth noting that some of his woodworking is now in the care of the Natural History Museum. I remember he was always full of ready bits of knowlege, facinating bits of lore, and openhandedly shared all he knew.

Finnr, I raise a horn to your memory and to your deeds. May divinity treat you fairly and well,
May those left behind celebrate your life and remember.

Fond regards, in sympathy,

Ross / Cynewulf

Mar 3, 2003
Last night, at Master Finnr's memorial service, many people got up and shared their memories and thoughts about Finnr and what he meant to them, some very eloquently. My skills do not include making extemporaneous speeches, so I am sharing my thoughts in this forum instead.

About a year ago, Master Finnr did me the honor of asking me to be his apprentice. Despite all my shortcomings and all the times I dropped the ball, he believed in me and supported me. Much of what I have done right in A&S in this kingdom has been due to his influence (the screw-ups are my own fault).

Although he did teach me about Vikings and leather and wood and material things, he also taught me by example what it means to be a Peer. Today I went to Corpora and re-read the expectations of a Peer within the Society. Among other things, it states that a Peer shall have "shared their skill and knowledge with others" and shall have "practiced hospitality according to their means and as appropriate to the circumstances". Finnr did that and more.

There are legends about a cauldron or chest that was perpetually filled with good things and no matter how much was given, there would always be more. Finnr was like that.

I will remember Finnr by trying to be more like him - sharing what I know and have with all who ask with open arms, dedicating myself to researching and practicing the arts that make our "game" better, and by treating all I meet with the same respect and friendliness that he did. If we remember him and honor him in our lives, he will remain alive to us.

But we will miss him.

Yours,
Margret

March 3, 2003
We thank you for your offer to poste our condolences and wishes for Karen's and David's healing. Having just had our home computer returned to us from the repair shop and connected this morning, we were so saddened to hear of Master Finnr's passing, and that we missed the service to honor him. I met Finnr and his wife during the Fall of '96 when I came to my first Yarnvid meeting, having first attended a few SCA events in Ansteorra with the Firefall clan (friends from the Federal Reserve Bank, Dallas office). I was shy and ill-at-ease, though friendly faces smiled at me from every corner, with Finnr's being the brightest. He immediately walked forward to shake my hand and welcome me, and I knew he sensed my apprehension. He introduced his friends and took the time to answer each question I asked. I felt his sincerity and his caring nature, and was immediately drawn to the impish look in his eyes, his laughter, his boundless energy, his humor, his interesting manner of speaking, and his many colorful stories. It was obvious how much he loved his life in the SCA, and I believe it has drawn many into its circle over the years. It certainly drew us back.

Soon after, I attended my first Atlantian events, and again Finnr and his wife were there to greet and welcome me as a newcomer. Ken (Joldersma) and I would see him now and again in the years after '99, and though much time would pass in between our attendance, always Finnr made a point to take the time to talk with us, smiling that warm and wonderful smile he had and telling us he was glad to see us again....that we were always welcome "in his camp."

And always, always it was easy to see how beloved he was to his kinsmen in this fair land who have loved him so well, and who he so obviously loved in return. What a testimony to the man this is. He is part of the backbone of Yarnvid and Caer Mear, one who was solid and ever ready to help spread the word of its good people, ever prepared to welcome newcomers into the fold.

We are saddened about his passing, and the missed opportunity to strengthen our friendship with him. We cannot imagine the pain his wife, his brother, and his sisters and brothers within Caer Mear are experiencing right now; we send you our condolences and wishes for healing. Vivat Master Finnr, vivat dear man. You will be missed by so many, and we are better for having met you.

Sincerely,

Roselyn & Dylan (Lynne Mohn & Ken Joldersma, "newcomers")

March 5, 2003
Took me a while to figure out what to say. I was shocked to hear of Finnr's passing. I mostly lurk and try to learn on the Norsefolk yahoogroups that he was on.

He will be missed...Finnr always had something nice to say, always supportive and full of great information. He served as a good example of what a true SCAdian should be like. I wish I had had the privledge of meeting him in person.

-Brandy

March 13, 2003

As I sit here for the fifth time trying to write something about Finnr I wonder how I can. I remember doing a Viking project and asking Finnr how to do something for the twentieth time. I remember when I finally got it right how pleased he looked and I will always remember the smile and the HEY OLAFR! when he seen me anywhere mundane or not. If not in body in sprit Finnr is still here with us. Because a little of Finnr is in us all in our memories of him. Valhalla is a little fuller now. He was a Good man and a Brave Warrior! He will be missed.

Olafr Ulfbrandrson

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