BALSA INC AVEOUSA -  A group gathered yesterday to remember fellow pilot, Mannie Madonna, who passed away on March 18.  

Madonna was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in January of 2007 and fought the cancer for a yearuntil it moved to his brain. He is survived by a wife and two sons. One son, Akira Boyoma, shared an interest in SL with his Dad and will keep the avatar name active.

Madonna constructed both yachts and airplanes which were known to be very true to life. Boyoma wrote the scripts that made these vehicles move smoothly.

Bancos Milestone, owner of Balsa Airport, said a few words about Madonna and his connection with him.  “I think one of things that struck me about Mannie’s aircraft was that they were closer to real life than anything I had seen.  The texturing was good and the flight dynamics were wonderful.  Akira does all of the scripting for his Dad.”

“I was working on a runway [at Balsa Airport] and I was having a heck of a time on the textures.  Mannie went ahead and showed me how to do a few things and it really started my building.  He was a very caring, very giving guy.  He would be friends and a mentor to anybody who needed help.  I only spoke to Mannie on voice twice, back in January.  When I heard his voice I thought I had just met my next best friend.  He’s a special pilot; a very warm person and I’m sure that whatever world he is in now, I’m sure they are welcoming him.”

Milestone concluded by reading the poem “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee Jr.

Milestone, Trans Sands, Real Bright and Josh Noonan flew identical black Extra 300 airplanes in an aerial flyover salute: the missing man formation.  The pilots circled the airfield two times and on the last circle of the airfield pilot Bright pulled up, leaving a space where he had been.  Taps was then played by Baer Randall.

Akira Boyoma said “Thank you all.  This means a lot to me.  I’m so blessed to know you guys and I’m so happy my Dad knew such great people.  I know my Dad’s up there smiling.  He loved you guys.  Although this was just a virtual world, he loved you as real friends.”

Madonna’s aircraft can be seen at Madboy Aircraft  http://slurl.com/secondlife/BALSA%20INC%20AVEOUSA/177/160/30
and boats at Mannie’s Classic Yacht Sales http://slurl.com/secondlife/Funadama/130/35/25