Tim,

It is a tribute to both you and your uncle that you knew to come here to advise his many unmet friends of his passing.

There are many people out here in cyberspace, as you are finding out, who, although we never met Ben Haines, always felt we had "a friend in London."

I have not read or posted at Fodors in a very long time, and I read of Ben's passing on another travel message board.

I came here because Ben Haines was a Fodors poster I always admired and loved to read. He was unfailingly helpful, cheerful, and polite.

Happy travels, Ben.

Thank you, Tim.

Juju

My condolences to Ben's family and friends.

He was a wonderful guy who probably helped thousands of fellow travelers over the years.
And he will likely help thousands more in the future, as all his advice and knowledge is archived just waiting to be brought-up in a Search.

Tim, I also posted this thread and the funeral details thread on the UseNet group rec.travel.europe

Your uncle was a regular poster there in the past (it very likely was the 1st travel newsgroup he posted on) and I'm sure many of the old regulars still remember him fondly.
Regards, Walter

I've been gone from this forum for years until a few weeks ago. I'm so glad that I came back in time to chime in with the hundreds who felt so warmly about the online Ben Haines we knew. I'm so sorry that I missed the chance to share this space with him again.

As another poster mentioned, I love to think of him and Wes finally catching up with each other.

Tim, may I add my condolences to the chorus. The best to you and your family during this time.

Lo siento Tim, et.al.
I regret never having seen a post of his.
M

Tim

You and your family have my condolences on your loss.

I am surprised by my own sense of loss since I never met Ben in person but only knew him through his posts on this forum. I was always impressed not only by his knowledge and ability to impart that knowledge but also by a sense of Ben's kindness, generosity and enthusiasm.

He was truly a gentleman and a scholar and the world is a poorer place for his absence.

The highlight of my recent trip to London was going on one of Ben's walks (from Blackfriars to Brick Lane)

I will return to London and plan to go on many more of Ben's wonderful walks.

Leonard Callow

My heartfelt sympathies to Ben's family. We now have the ultimate travel guide from the heavens above. Rest in peace dearest Ben,you are a true gentleman...

Dear Tim,

May I join the hordes of Fodorites in extending my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your uncle.

I must confess that when I saw this thread, I opened it with great anticipation for another round of great advice from him that I could clip and keep for future use. I can't tell you how saddened I am to hear of his demise.

It takes a real gentleman to make the effort to share his insights and knowledge in such a detailed way with others and Ben was the very best representative of the breed. And there is no better proof than to see this outpouring of well wishes from whole hosts of people such as myself who probably never even had the good fortune of meeting him in person.

Our thoughts will be with him and you. I'd like to think that he is charting out new trails wherever he is.

Happy journeys Ben.

I like many others, assumed this thread was filled with alot of helpful advice from Mr Haines that I should be storing for future reference. I have always enjoyed reading his informative
pieces and realised very early on what a valuable contribution he made to this fabulous site. Even though I never met Mr Haines I viewed him as an "elder" respected statesman,with tremendous knowledge.
What a unique man to be able to unite so many people from all parts of the world. My deepest sympathies from "the land down under".

It was always wonderful to return to this site and find Ben's thoughtful and kindly replies. I will miss him. My condolences to your family. I know his memorial service will celebrate his life on this little planet, and rejoice in the knowledge that his journey has just begun.

Thank you, Tim, for posting this sad news. Your uncle was very helpful to me when I was planning our trip to London last summer.

Clearly, your uncle was an extraordinary person and we were fortunate to get to know him even if just by message boards and emails.

My condolences to you and your family.

Dear Tim -

I wish very much to add my condolences to the many here before me. Mr Haines was an incredible gentleman, and always had wonderful suggestions and information for posters. May he rest in peace.

Tim, I am so sad to hear about the passing of your uncle, Ben Haines. He was truly a gentlemen and so generous to pass on his travel knowledge to those who asked. I am another one who used his pub list and places to go with children when I made a trip to London 3 years ago.

Thank you also for sharing some of his life story. It is comforting to know that he lived a full life and truly followed his passion of traveling.

My condolences to you and your family. He will be missed but he has left a legacy here on Fodors with his many wonderful postings.

there are some fine, and well-deserved, tributes to Mr Haines on the Eastern Europe and CAucasus Board at Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree.

Hello Tim,
Thank you for informing us about your uncles death. Obviously he was beloved and he will be missed by many.

Yipper

Tim,

My condolences to you and your family. Your uncle touched many lives and he will be missed. As you can see, many, many of us relied on his helpful information.

Reading this makes me sigh. He gave a lot to Fodors readers.

My most sincere condolences to you and your family. Your uncle will be sorely missed and mourned by many who appreciated and enjoyed his vast knowledge and gentlemanly kindness.

That in your sorrow you troubled to let us know of his passing continues his tradition of thoughtful consideration. Thank you and God bless.

My condolences. I was very saddened by this. It's men like Mr. Haines who make the interent into a "community"

Let me add my condolences. What a kind, helpful, generous soul! He will be sorely missed. Thanks for letting us know.

Ann Watters, San Francisco, CA USA

I was so saddened to read this news yesterday. God rest your kind soul, Ben.