Joe is no longer involved with sks's, but I have all his data and information. I'll check it out when I'm home later.
Mod note: This topic was split off of another post where a member mentioned getting into contact with xxxSKS. Recently, Joe had decided to get out of the SKS world and had turned over his research and data to Power Surge. Regardless of whether he was sick or a sudden accident/illness occurred, we will miss his knowledge, camaraderie, and quick wit greatly here at SKS-Files. -RM
Quote from: Power Surge on November 03, 2016, 03:01:44 PM
Joe is no longer involved with sks's, but I have all his data and information. I'll check it out when I'm home later.
Oh...I just meant person to person.....he gives me crap every chance he gets......I appreciate it!
Quote from: padams8888 on November 03, 2016, 03:36:09 PM
Quote from: Power Surge on November 03, 2016, 03:01:44 PM
Joe is no longer involved with sks's, but I have all his data and information. I'll check it out when I'm home later.
Oh...I just meant person to person.....he gives me crap every chance he gets......I appreciate it!
Oh ok, I didn't realize he was still talking to anyone.
Just to clarify my previous statement, xxxsksjoe has gotten out of anything SKS related (to my knowledge). His absence does not have to do with our SKS-files site (again, to my knowledge). Joe sent me a surprise package one day with some commercial stuff in it, along with a USB drive with all his SKS data and note saying he was done. He has passed the commercial torch over to me from what I can tell. He has not responded to any attempts of contact since then.
Unfortunately from what I read on FB Joe passed away in early Oct.
Quote from: MEBears on November 03, 2016, 06:33:31 PM
Unfortunately from what I read on FB Joe passed away in early Oct.
WHAT?? Seriously??
WTF
The FB page for Joe Hersey says he passed away last month. Doesn't give a cause. I'm sorry if I'm mistaken.
Quote from: MEBears on November 03, 2016, 06:41:00 PM
The FB page for Joe Hersey says he passed away last month. Doesn't give a cause. I'm sorry if I'm mistaken.
Like, for the FB page that was actually his page? Or you just found a page with his same name?
Pretty sure it is him. I saw a comment from Woodwizard in his FB group.
He just fell off the grid... Need to confirm. He never said anything to anyone if so.
WTF??
Dang, that's a kick in the gut :(
Same one Jim? http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/azcentral/obituary.aspx?pid=182210856
Dates match up with his last login here as well as his personal page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/fastjavlin (which matches his fastjavlin ID he used in his email)
(http://image.ibb.co/ewuj1k/xxxSKS.jpg) (http://imgbb.com/)
Very sad if true. :( :(
Yes, that's the one I saw. :(
Damnit.......
Quote from: running-man on November 03, 2016, 06:57:32 PM
Dang, that's a kick in the gut :(
Same one Jim? http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/azcentral/obituary.aspx?pid=182210856
Dates match up with his last login here as well as his personal page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/fastjavlin (which matches his fastjavlin ID he used in his email)
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/10712562_10203415289156439_580241353712021973_o.jpg)
Very sad if true. :( :(
Wow....that is definitely him.... just wow....
What the hell happened?!?!?!
I can't believe this......I am so saddened by this news.....
I'm letting you all know....I shared his passing over "there". He was respected by many....even if some couldn't see him for the amazing walking data bank that he was..... :(
Quote from: padams8888 on November 03, 2016, 07:09:11 PM
I can't believe this......I am so saddened by this news.....
I too am saddened to hear this.. With his passing, not only did his family loose him, the collecting community as a whole lost a, what I would deem as a "great". If anyone gets deemed as a "Legend", he, Joe, should be the first star on the wall. The man passed his legacy on to another member which is pretty much unheard of these days. Lets remember him for who he was, his humor and the wonderful info and insite he brought to the table, and help keep his Commercial legacy alive with it's new care taker.
Quote from: padams8888 on November 03, 2016, 08:52:36 PM
I'm letting you all know....I shared his passing over "there". He was respected by many....even if some couldn't see him for the amazing walking data bank that he was..... :(
You're a good man Pat. A very good man. clap1
I remember when he got banned at SKSBoards and earned his battlefield commission. He was pissed. His signature (http://forums.gunboards.com/member.php?49197-xxxsks&tab=aboutme#aboutme) on gunboards is still a tad critical of them I believe.
Time heals all wounds though. Hopefully they have the grace to at least acknowledge how special he was to the entire collecting community. There was nobody as sharp, dedicated, and up to date on the Commercial Chinese guns as he was.
I had just shipped him that Yugo sniper stock that he wanted from me.....and I didn't hear from him when it arrived.....He was such a genuine nice guy.....wish I could have met him in person.....so much stinking knowledge.....used to bust my balls every time I lucked into a great deal on a commercial sks....lol. Damn.
I just figured he was taking a break... Had alot going on or something. Being so instrumental in the chinese sks guide, I have talked to him on the phone, text etc..... Always dedicated to getting things RIGHT. Thats what I admired of him, and a trait I liked.
Quote from: Loose}{Cannon on November 03, 2016, 09:49:55 PM
I just figured he was taking a break... Had alot going on or something. Being so instrumental in the chinese sks guide, I have talked to him on the phone, text etc..... Always dedicated to getting things RIGHT. Thats what I admired of him, and a trait I liked.
thumb1 thumb1 thumb1
Split this thread apart from the original SKS D post and moved it to its new home on the wall of honor. (That's going to be a bitter sweet gun when you receive it Pat).
If anyone has any memories of Joe you might want to share, please continue posting them in this thread.
I remember.....
When I was about to start the chinese sks guide, I knew right off the bat I was not going to be able to do the commercial section.... Not my area of expertise. At the time, there was only ONE man for the job..... Joe. I messaged him asking if he wanted to lay it all out in one place for everyone to reference. His reply was simple.... "I'm in"
What a sad day. The SKS community has lost the standard bearer and one hell of a good guy. Truly a very deep loss. Thoughts and prayers to Joe's family...
It is not often that someone can be unchallenged as 'The Best' in the field of knowledge, research and dedication. This is a case where there is no dispute. No one else was even close. We have lost a great man.
Very sad news! Rest in Peace Joe!
sad news, prayers sent for him and family.
Damn.
Joe was a great guy and really helped me out a number of times with my bubbaisms. I had wondered if something was up as when he sold me his Aussie thumbhole he mentioned it was time to get out...and he was selling off quite a bit of his collection over the last year or so of excess parts... He was on the fence about hooking me up with his last Capco hunter package last year, I was going to message him a couple weeks ago about it, and I had noticed he wasn't around for a couple weeks previous...I too just thought he may be taking a break. I am very saddened by his loss.
My favorite gun is mostly parts I received from him...and it is going to stay that way.
RIP Joe
tommy1 tommy1 tommy1 tommy1 tommy1 tommy1 tommy1
shooting1 shooting1 shooting1 shooting1 shooting1 shooting1 shooting1
tommy1 tommy1 tommy1 tommy1 tommy1 tommy1 tommy1
So very sad to hear of this. I only knew Joe through his posts, but was always amazed at the level of his expertise. The SKS family has certainly lost a bright star.
PS, I'm glad Joe passed the guidon onto you-- Carry it well!! thumb1
Wow, I stepped away for a few days and I've come back to very sad news. I've had many online "conversations" with Joe Hersey. I'm sitting here holding the last package I received from Joe on Aug 09, 2016. My last contact with him was later in August.
I first "met" Joe on the "other" board, in July, 2012. He was explaining the DIG-imported "D", and that it was an uncommon import stamp. He continued to help me and others through the years with all the many models of the Commercial Chinese SKS. I was able to complete some good commercial specimens with Joe's help.
I don't know what happened, but 55 is way too young to go. If you have the time and care, check out his FB page before it's taken down. He definitely had an interesting life, an avid drag racer, boat racer, welder, all sorts of things.
Rest in Peace, Joe Hersey. aka: XXXSKS
firstchoice
Very sad indeed. He was the resource on the commercial SKS variations and it speaks volumes to his character that he had the foresight to pass his accumulated knowledge and resources to a new standard bearer thumb1
Much too young to go
RIP xxxSKS Joe
Just found out. RIP, PAX
New to the board but a quick search clearly shows what a nice guy and great resource he was as a member here. RIP
Joe and I worked together for several years. I got to know him a little. I sold him a few SKS's during that time, and I got to go shoot with him a few times. Actually got to shoot the ol 666 once. I don't know if that rifle , or the blanket that he brought along to lay it on was more impressive.. We had a blast. It seemed he struggled with his health a bit back then, but in typical Joe style, would never make anything of it. After not seeing him for a few years; I ran into him about a year ago at a local gun show. He had 3 rifles with him and was looking for buyers it seemed. When I finally looked at him and said "Hey Joe", he asked who I was. He didn't remember me. AT all. He remembered our company, but had no idea who I was. I was heart broken as he walked away, acting annoyed that I was bothering him. He was a good guy and I hope he rests in Peace.
Dang it. I never met him in person but knew him from the other board for a few years. He had so much knowledge and seemed to be a great guy. I haven't been there much at all the past year. I don't post anymore but I check in on a few friends I still have there. Yesterday I noticed someone had posted a thread looking for him. That's when I saw that he had passed. Shocked I came here to verify and I am sad that those guys are right, Joe is gone. Not sure if it matters much but they had nice things to say about Joe even though he left that place in favor of this place.
The sad part is, he never 'left' one place for another.... he was booted there for simply being on both.