I just want to add my condolences to Tim and his family.
I shared Mr Haines' love for London, having lived there for many years. His posts were always courteous, and he went to so much trouble to be of help to people he never met.

Such sad news. I include my condolences here for the family and friends of Mr. Haines. You were very kind to let us know, Tim.

To Tim and the Haines family--my condolences on the loss of your uncle. He was a very special presence and voice of wisdom here on this site. He will be missed! --leslie

I can't believe he will not be around to answer a million ,so patiently, and to share his amazing knowledge! How will I know which rail trip to take????

VALE BEN HAINES

Tim, thank you for posting to let this community know about your uncle's passing and even more so for giving us your insight into his very full and interesting life. I really appreciated learning more about him from you.

The internet is so often a place of anonymity, words written without full thought of their impact and so many inaccuraces. Mr Haines brought, to all communities in which he participated, a genuine courtesy that influenced the whole community, a sincere desire to help and share and an intelligence, wit and attention to detail that will all be very much missed.

My condolences to his family and friends.

I no longer post much on this board, though I read it often but I have often appreciated Mr Haines' posts and benefited from the information he has shared.

I have emailed you to ask about his memorial services as I would very much like to attend if I am able.

I am so, so saddened to hear of Mr. Haines passing. He was one of the most patient, informative, and kinder posters in this forum. His passion for train travel, travel in general, London, and helping others was so evident on his frequent posts. One advice in particular he gave me was the closest church for me to attend Ash Wednesday services while I was London in Feb 2002. What a magnificent human being he was. He will be deeply missed by this traveling community. Sincere condolecences to the family.

Tim-- do you mind posting location details for the Memorial Service? Thank you.

Tim, never mind previous inquiry; as per your request, I have e-mailed you for details on the Memorial Service. Thanks.

Mr Haines' nephew has kindly pointed me to a picture of Ben on the web, which I have added to the small memorial on the "fodotite" page -- http://fodorite.fisherfowler.net/

Be sure to click the tiny link under his picture for some interesting information. Who would have guessed that he would have played Mr. Mushnik in his group's production of Little Shop of Horrors?

He will be missed and thank you Tim for your comments.

What awful news. I feel as if I've lost a good friend, though I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Haines in person. He was such a help with our train plans when we visited Prague, Vienna and Budapest. We corresponded by e-mail as well as on the forum, and his advice was invaluable. The Forum won't be the same without him.

Thank you Tim for telling us a bit about your uncle. It is so hard to lose someone you love and my heart goes out to you and your family.

Thank you Tim for sharing the passing of one of my favorite Fodors contributors. I would like to think that Ben is on "another trip" with such other wonderful people as Wes Fowler.........hopefully, everything will "be planned" for the rest of us when we arrive at that particular Fodors GTG?

Dear Tim and Family:

My sympathies and prayers to your family. Your uncle was one who we could always count on for great advice. He will be greatly missed.

itsv

Sincere condolences to the Haines family.

As my late father used to say, the contribution of a man is judged by the number of people he touches in a meaningful way, making them all feel special in their own right, and that you can get an idea of his wealth by the number of people thinking of him and at his funeral. I did not have a privilege to get to know Mr. Haines but it is obvious to me that he was a very wealthy man.

Best.

I am so sorry to hear the very sad news. Ben always went the extra mile and will be missed by many here at Fodors. He was a great help to me when seaching for pubs and walks in London.
My condolences to all Ben's family, and thank you so much Tim for taking the trouble to keep us informed.

Carol.
South Africa.

Funeral details have been posted by Tim at this thread:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34972936

Your uncle was a generous poster, always gracious in his replies and assistance. It was very thoughtful of you to take some time to let this board know about Ben’s passing. My condolences to your family.

I returned to this board after an absence of several years and immediately looked to make sure that Ben was still posting. He averted my family from a near disaster when he informed me that the overnight train from Munich to Venice spilt up in the middle of the night. I am very saddened he was such a courteous, perfect gentlemen. He will will missed. Thank you Tim for letting us know.

I am so sad to hear of Mr. Haines's passing. To his nephew, Tim Haines, and to the rest of his family, I wish to say how sorry I am for their loss. I looked forward to Mr. Haines's informative and humorous posts on this board and benefited from them greatly in my travels. He was a gentle, helpful soul who was very special to this board and most highly esteemed by all. I will miss him very much.

Dear Tim and family-

I haven't had the need of London information in a few years, but even in the few posts I followed, I always noticed your uncle.

He set a great example for thoughtful, courteous behavior, and I wish there were more like him in the world.

Aloha oe, Ben Haines!

Lucy
Honolulu, Hawaii