We received this email along with photos from our good friend “down under” Colin Williams about Ron Blaskett’s 93rd birthday:
Hi Dan,
Hope all is well. I thought you would like to know that on April 13 Ron turns 93. Today, he celebrated his birthday with a small group which included his family and close friends. Carmel and I were fortunate to be there; it was such a memorable day.
For some time now Merle has been suffering from dementia but really sparked up when she saw “Sandra Simpkins” which of course she used for many years. Ron and Merle did a great double act which quite often finished with a musical duet. One which I can remember them singing was ‘I’ll string along with you’.
Attached are two pictures- one showing Ron with the Gerry Gee lookalike (carved 60 years ago by the master, Frank Marshall) and a Gerry Gee Junior. The Juniors, which are now over 50 years old, are selling for up to $1000 each in Australia. Secondly, Merle is pictured with ‘Sandra Simpkins’ (carved in 1958, again by the master) and a Geraldine Junior, which also sold in Australia.
It was a great day, thoroughly enjoyed by all. We were also treated to a couple of minutes of ‘vent’ from Ron and I must say he is as sharp as ever and Gerry was full of his usual cheek.
Best wishes,
Colin
Colin, thanks so much for this information and photos. Please extend a belated very Happy Birthday from Steve and me.
Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com
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Ventriloquist Central is the brainchild of Dan Willinger and Steve Hurst. Dan is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Steve is a ventriloquist as well as builder of ventriloquist figures. He also has a background in sales, marketing, building websites and computers. Because they both love the art of ventriloquism, the website Ventriloquist Central was born. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com
Copyright 2015 by Dan Willinger and Steve Hurst
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Many years ago; Ron Attended on of our conventions. I had the pleasure of having a long lunch with Ron, where we discussed Vent. Ron , a very personable gentleman. I took a photo of Ron & his “Gerry Gee” with Al Semok examining “Gerry”. Awhile ago, I posted the photo on Facebook.
thank you for this information I am currently reading “Me and Gerry Gee’ totally loving every word times and wonderful memories. Raised in Geelong by my Gran we were too poor to ever afford Gerry G however I was fortunate to go on Happy Hammonds Wheel of fortune part of this incredible era. I purchased a Birthday Gerry in a gold box,
certificate and badges, what a find at Chapel street Bazzar some 15 years ago and I am so proud to have one. An incredible time with an extraordinary person thank you Mr Blaskett and Gerry G xxx
Sad news tonight that Ron had passed away – what a great age, but still very sad to see someone you admired since a young child is gone! R.I.P. Ron