Sad News to start 2021

[HB Chris]

The vintage BMW community has lost a dear friend this morning, Jeff d’Avanzo, founder along with John Barlow of SoCalVintage. Together they created and have hosted a gathering of over 400 vintage BMWs each fall in Van Nuys for the last 15 years or so. Jeff was outgoing, generous, kind and a good friend to so many who had the privilege of knowing him. He contracted COVID perhaps two weeks ago as well as pneumonia and was hospitalized and on a ventilator since Monday. He had appeared to improve only two days before that but the virus is so strong he had no way to fight it. He was in good health with no underlying issues and was I think 50 years old and is survived by his wife. We are truly devastated at his passing. The attached photo is the Facebook post from John with the sad news. This pandemic is not over, we all need to take it seriously.

Jeff is on the left, John is on the right

 

[Ajay]

Terrible news. Jeff was a good guy and very helpful to the BMW community.

 

[Markos]

This very shocking and unfortunate.

 

[Nicad]

What a Loss. Saddened to hear this. My condolences to his Friends and Family.

 

[JMinPDX]

Just awful. We all hope and plan to spend time with each other and our cars and then the unimaginable happens. Let’s all be safe.
Prayers for Jeff’s family and friends.

 

[bmw2800cs]

Our prayers to him and his family. Let us know if there is a fund to help his family.

 

[Blinkling]

Jeff and SoCalVintage were the first car community I ever met. To this day I am continually grateful for the warm welcome I got as a new vintage car owner back then. This is a terrible shock.

 

[Barry.b]

The vintage BMW community has lost a dear friend this morning, Jeff d’Avanzo, founder along with John Barlow of SoCalVintage. Together they created and have hosted a gathering of over 400 vintage BMWs each fall in Van Nuys for the last 15 years or so. Jeff was outgoing, generous, kind and a good friend to so many who had the privilege of knowing him. He contracted COVID perhaps two weeks ago as well as pneumonia and was hospitalized and on a ventilator since Monday. He had appeared to improve only two days before that but the virus is so strong he had no way to fight it. He was in good health with no underlying issues and was I think 50 years old and is survived by his wife. We are truly devastated at his passing. The attached photo is the Facebook post from John with the sad news. This pandemic is not over, we all need to take it seriously.

View attachment 108580
Jeff is on the left, John is on the right
View attachment 108582

My condolences to his family and friends, it is always so so sad when you loose someone , especially at such a young age
May he rest in peace.

 

[Stan]

Terribly saddened

 

[Gary Knox]

Sorry to learn of the loss to his family, friends and the Vintage car community.

 

[adawil2002]

Jeff left an indelible impression with me in 2015. His friends, family & BMW community lost a champion.

 

[dpdapper]

So sorry to hear of Jeff’s untimely death. Fond memories of the SoCal Vintage drives he and John organized, to say nothing of the incredible effort to run the SoCal Vintage Meet every year.

 

[Steven]

So sorry to hear this. Jeff was so warm and welcoming when I met him and I was a brand new E9 owner. He regaled me with stories of his own projects, and was so welcoming to the community. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Ski coach]

These stories just take my breath away. I wish you all, my BMW friends, the wisdom to know how precious every day is.
Please be well and take care,
chris

 

[bmw2800cs]

Just saw this on BMW2002FAQ facebook page, though I'd add the link here:

https://www.facebook.com/BMW2002FAQ/posts/10158915170922179