I had read his articles for many years. I enjoyed his stories about reloading the .45 Colt. I will miss him.
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Mike Venturino has passed
- Thread starter Fishinfool
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2021
- Messages
- 4,536
- Reaction score
- 7,710
Condolences to his family. Another Great one gone, many will miss him.
ElToro
Member
RIP. Thanks for the information over he years sir, enjoy the big gun writers campfire in the sky.
Back before the internet I enjoyed print magazines. When I moved across country I tossed several hundred magazines from late 90s through early 2000’s. Even the local gun shop didn’t want them for free for their lounge. Always enjoyed his writing as much as Taffin and Boddington among others and the books of Keith and O’Connor before him.
Back before the internet I enjoyed print magazines. When I moved across country I tossed several hundred magazines from late 90s through early 2000’s. Even the local gun shop didn’t want them for free for their lounge. Always enjoyed his writing as much as Taffin and Boddington among others and the books of Keith and O’Connor before him.
RIP Mike
Enjoyed your work.
Enjoyed your work.
Harrison
US Veteran
I followed him for decades. He was a cast boolits and long range black powder shooter, and a real good (accurate) one at that. RIP Duke, you will be missed.
Moderators ...
Hope it’s okay to post this link regarding Mike’s passing on his publishers website.
Attention Required! | Cloudflare
R.I.P. Mike
Hope it’s okay to post this link regarding Mike’s passing on his publishers website.
Attention Required! | Cloudflare
R.I.P. Mike
Sad news indeed. Mike was one of the few remaining columnists from what I call the golden era of gun writers, where we also had the likes of Bill Jordan, Skeeter Skelton, Elmer Keith, John Wooters, Bob Milek, and so on, gracing the pages of our favorite gun mags.
On the Handloader TV YouTube channel, Mike did a series with host Jeremiah on WWII Small Arms, if you haven't seen them it is worth watching, and a tribute to Mike.
He will be missed... my condolences to his family.
On the Handloader TV YouTube channel, Mike did a series with host Jeremiah on WWII Small Arms, if you haven't seen them it is worth watching, and a tribute to Mike.
He will be missed... my condolences to his family.
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brendonjames65
US Veteran
Not sure why you felt it necessary to state the obvious with your veiled response about his weight. The man battled a weight problem and I’m sure it adversely affected his health. He was a great gun writer and died much too young.
Mike
I once bought an old Winchester from Mike that he was selling for the widow of a friend. He so enjoyed the Yellowstone River area. A good man, I also enjoyed his writings. He will be missed.
I once bought an old Winchester from Mike that he was selling for the widow of a friend. He so enjoyed the Yellowstone River area. A good man, I also enjoyed his writings. He will be missed.
OP
Fishinfool
Member
My source was the Colt Forum article you quoted. Wasn't sure if I could post a link.
Larry
(Already posted)
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May he rest in peace..
May he rest in peace
I enjoyed his writings over the years.
I enjoyed his writings over the years.
I am personally very sorry to hear this news. Mike and I corresponded now and then on gunwriter subjects, and his wife Yvonne gifted me with a picture she shot of Mike's rare German MP44, which I used in my book "101 Classic Firearms."
Sad to see a good man and fine writer go.
John
Sad to see a good man and fine writer go.
John
There is a several page thread on him on The 24hr Campfire, with updates from "Shrapnel", who knew himand also posted on the Colt Forum. A couple of excerpts:
from May 29
from May 29
...We have shared so much for the past several decades and it is coming to a sad conclusion. I have been in contact with him daily, and hope we can still share a little more time once he is able to get home from the hospital in Billings.
He has battled a heart condition for years since they left him on a gurney in the emergency room in the hospital while he was suffering from a heart attack. The damage was permanent and his heart continued to be problematic ever since...
May 31:He has battled a heart condition for years since they left him on a gurney in the emergency room in the hospital while he was suffering from a heart attack. The damage was permanent and his heart continued to be problematic ever since...
He called last night, said he’s on his way home from the hospital. They have administered a new drug that should give him more time without hospice. I’m hoping for more time and conversations with him soon…
June 1
I spoke with Yvonne yesterday, it doesn’t look promising. Evidently she has to load Mike up on drugs to help keep his heart going, but other drugs to counteract what another does, is leaving him mostly asleep...
June 8:
Nothing positive to report. There is no progress, he is slowly slipping away.
June 9
I just got the call, Mike is gone. It’s a sad day even when you’re prepared for it you were never ready.
No mention of his age, though. I'd think there will be an obit at some point in one of the Billings MT papers.
Think I saw he was 75...
Thought he was a bit younger.
RIP
Great writer.......
Thought he was a bit younger.
RIP
Great writer.......
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
You are correct-it was a pretty unvarnished truth to say. However a lot of good men died wayyy to young due to lifestyles. Skeeter Skelton is one who comes immediately to mind. Fat people have certain morbidities as a result of their weight. I know that first hand. I've dropped over 100 pounds because I've realized that there aren't too many old fat men. I've quit smoking because there aren't too many old men who smoke 4 packs a day. Drinking....well two out of three ain't bad. If I die early it is because of my disregard to health issues in my younger days and my own choices. I am sure Mike Venturino lived his life good and as he saw fit and I'll not take that away from him. I'm just stating the obvious. 75 years in that shape is a pretty good run. I suspect I have shaved many years off my life due to life-style choices. Not good-not bad just is. If I offended you, **** it, but it is what it is.
Someone once quipped, "If I knew I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."
"Fat" is one thing but some people are just predisposed to be "large" (Something to do with Body Mass Index?) From a couple of pics of him when he was much younger, he looked a bit chunky but healthy. Latterly he did seem overweight but that may not have been due to being "fat" and not taking care of himself; it may also have been glandular. I guess only the people who knew him personally would know for sure.
As I type this I'm remembering his visit to Iwo Jima in 2009, inspired at least in part, as I recall, by Clint Eastwood's 2-part "Letters from Iwo Jima" a few years before.
