George3

My condolences to the family of George Tulloch and to those among his friends. I did not know George but was in touch with him via email some time back. At that time he very kindly and thoughtfully answered a number of questions for me. It was only later that I found he had been quite ill during the time he responded which showed me how diligent and kind he was. George found himself in the midst of a controversy he never expected to be a part of, yet handled himself with immense tact and grace throughout. He was not only a gentleman but a gentle man. He was respected and admired and indeed loved by so many people on both sides of the salvage question because his concern for and dedication to preserving the history of Titanic was genuine. He said to me in his 1999 message, "I do not care what is said, so long as in the end all this talk will end up in real action to save history we can not afford to lose." He will be dearly missed. In sympathy, Randy Bigham

It was with deep regret that we, The Belfast Titanic Society learned of the death, in America, of George Tulloch. George had been bravely battling lung and liver cancer for a number of years. He will be remembered as a fighter, not only through his final illness but for Titanic and her artefatcs. George met with society members when he came to Belfast in 1997 to courageously face his critics, at the very first "Titanic at Home" convention held at the Waterfront. It took a special man to "face the lion in his den" here in the home of Titanic where many disagreed with his policy, in retrieving artefacts from the wreck site. George made many friends here and we gradually came to know him and respect him for his views and what he was trying to achieve. On our last meeting, over a year ago, again here in Belfast, he stated his wishes to bring the artefacts home- to Belfast. He was fighting for this cause right up until his death. In the end, Titanic and Belfast have lost a friend-a good friend. Our thoughts are with his family at this time. They have lost a husband, a father of whom they can be very proud.

A sad day for the Titanic world. George did a lot for Titanic and the memory of her passengers. I notice the service is on Mr. Andrews' birthday. Jim and I will be thinking of everyone on the 7th. Denise Stouffer and Jim Carlise, Newtownards, Northern Ireland

I was very sad to hear of George's death. He was a very courageous man, in this, and his last battle. May he rest in peace. Una Reilly, Belfast Titanic Society

Although well aware of the serious state of George's disease, it came as a shock that George had passed away. To me he was not only a close friend, he was a person who lived for a vision and a wish to preserve the history of Titanic for coming generations. I came to know George almost 15 years ago and we became close friends when he organized the first large Titanic artefact exhibition here in Stockholm,. He always told me that the Titanic artefact exhibitions began in Stockholm in 1991. He was amazed over the incredible interest in the Titanic in Sweden, when, during six short weeks, more than 66,000 visitors came to the maritime museum to see the artefacts and the exhibition "Treasures from the Titanic". He was back in Stockholm three years ago to visit the Titanic exhibition at the Postal exhibition and I was happy to bring him out of Stockholm to the summer house that he instantly came to love. It's hard to know George is gone but I will always hear his voice and his warmth and his great sense of humor. he was a great human being in the true sense of the word. My thoughts also go out to Cindy and the family for whom it is such a terrible loss. Claes-Goran Wetterholm
Stockholm, Sweden

I only recently had the pleasure of meeting George, his lovely wife Cindy and PH at the Newport convention and it was a meeting I'll never forget. I had long admired his work with the artifacts. What cemented my opinion was his compassion with Mrs. Haisman in giving her the watch. It was a generous gesture, and that stayed with me. So it was wonderful to meet the man in person. The first time was with my friend Jim Kalafus and Jack Eaton while we wer e having lunch and the Tullochs joked about how my meal went by the wayside-they were both charming and very friendly. Later, after Jim and I gave our lecture on Lusitania's passengers. George came over and we spoke about an hour on Lusitania artifacts in general. I could see why so many people respected this man. It is a sad loss and he will forever be remembered as a man who reached out and touched many people with his hard work and caring. Michael Poirier

The world has lost a great man, a gentle soul and a loving individual. George, for all you've done throughout the years for Titanic and those who love her, you have my undying respect and admiration. You have touched so many lives and hearts in so many ways and fought the good fight for so long that you are a true warrior in your own right- and your legacy will live on a lifetime. Although his voice can be silenced, a warrior spirit never dies, and I know there are those among us who will continue what you have started in your stead. So rest well my friend and be at peace for your efforts have not been in vain. Kim Zuren-Bradac

George is going to be very busy up there. I am sure the good Lord is going to give George a special assignment in regards to those victims of the Titanic. In fact I wager that right now there are over 1500 people waiting to greet him and thank him for keeping their memory alive and for all his efforts to make sure we and those of us in the future never forget their sacrifice. Like many at the start, I called George a pirate- yet we opened an avenue of dialog and he took me to the first exhibit in Sweden. It was after spending time with him and seeing how emotional he was and dedicated that I stopped using the word pirate which made some of my old friends irrate. Eventually we became close friends. As time went on, others started to see and realize how dedicated this man was to what he would call "The Children of the Titanic." He and Cindy were of the biggest help and support ever when I was going through my lung cancer battle and he was always there.He was also such a big help in putting together my Titanic presentations and even had Amtrack stop a train to New York as I was enroute to the QE2 to do the shows with new photos to add to it. The conductor is still wondering how he pulled that one off. I will miss you old friend. Cheers to you George, and look down on us once in a while- o.k.? Jon Hollis

Some thoughts on George from the society: John Parkinson sends his deepest regrets and wishes that you pass his sympathy and that of the society on to the family and all his friends. Una Reilly

What a real loss! A real friend and leader is no longer with us; he is in a place where his body can no longer fail him and is with the souls he tried for so long to have people remember. I for one will never forget George-not for just all he did for Titanic, but also for just being George. What can I say about a lost friend? I will always remember the Stardust Lounge on the Seabreeze. What a night- Cindy, George and the rest of us having a ball to a two-person band as we sat in the corner till the wee hours of morning. Then some of us moved on to the disco. As Fate would have it, the Seabreeze is gone- and now so is George. One thing though, the memories are forever. George- peace now- and always. Steve Chuck