Aaron Smith Passes Away

[Kaijucast]

I, like many, met Aaron through his first Monster Zero News site. I had just started the Shrine of Gamera and was, with some minor exceptions, almost entirely re-posting all of his stories on the news of Gamera 3. Feeling guilty I asked him for his permission to repost and he gave it to me gladly. When the site was with Cinescape, we ended up corresponding enough that he asked me to be the moderator of the Gamera boards. After a failed attempt at my own Gamera message boards, he was happy to offer the MZ forums as my visitors' "official" board.

Admittedly, Aaron and I were not "best buddies" and I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, but he was always so supportive of my meek efforts that I was pleased to call him friend. His emails were always welcome and his responses always friendly. Between the Shrine and H!O, Aaron was a reliable and generous person and this fandom would not be where it is today if it weren't for Aaron's drive and accomplishments.

When I read the news today, I was heart-broken. I am truly saddened that he is gone. I'm angry at myself for never getting further into a project that he and I spoke about. Like many, I wish that I had been in contact with him more recently. My heart goes out to his family, friends and to his spirit.

Aaron, you are and will forever be missed in this community that you were so integral in forging. I am truly sorry to see you go.

-Kyle

[scikaiju]

My condolenses to his friends and family RIP

[MireGoji]

Rest in peace, Aaron.

[MouthForWar]

Holy crap! This is NOT what I was expecting to see when I went to the news page... What can I say that hasn't already been said? I first came to MZ in late 97 when the hoopla surrounding G 98 was starting, and always stopped there daily to get news on it. Its been in my bookmars ever since and I started posting in late 2002. I've come to this site almost every day of my life since the late 90s. I never met Aaron, but we exchanged e-mails several times during the late 90s, and of course had converstations at the forums. He seemed like a really friendly guy who cared a lot about Godzilla and the fans. Condolences to his friends and family.

RIP. Sleep easy.

[RapZiLLa54]

I've never met Aaron in person and sure he'd always get on me when I got out of control in the forums but he was a great man. There was never a day I didn't come to this site to check out something, it became part of my routine many years ago. This site is very much a part of my childhood (I'm turning 20 in July) and I've been checking this site out since 98. I can't believe this news........

RIP Aaron

[cinefringe]

Between 2000 and 2001, my friends and I used to translate Japanese or Korean news items and contributed them to Monster Zero. Aaron was a very kind person and for me, it was a lot of fun to exchange news and opinions about monster movies with him. I am beginning to miss those days.

It is a terrible loss and I feel great sadness.

Rest in peace, Aaron.


Loomis,

[mothra2003]

[Garasharp K7]

I don't really know what to say here. I'm shocked.
I first came across MZ back in '99, but didn't start posting 'till a year later. I know I wouldn't be as interested in (or as obsessed with) kaiju films as I am now if not for MZ and the many great people here. I've never met Aaron or any others here, but I feel as though I 'know' you guys in some way. It's thanks to Aaron's efforts (as well as many others) that we kaiju fans have such a great corner of the net to hang out in.
I often think that these last few years have been a great time for us fans; great kaiju dvd releases, many festivals and celebrations of the genre, more toys and paraphenalia than you could shake a stick at. But you know what made those years really great? It's Monster Zero, that what. This site and all involved with it is a large part of what makes this hobby so enjoyable for me.

Farewell Aaron, and thanks for everything.

[Amankhan]

I, too, feel a great loss knowing that Aaron is no longer with us. The work he put into Monster Zero and his dedication to keeping this site as one of the most famous Godzilla/Kaiju sites on the Internet will not be soon forgotten.
My heart and mind go out to his family, and to say thanks right now would be a pale shadow of the emotion that I am feeling for all that Aaron gave us.

Aaron, may you forever rest in peace.

[ilovebaragon]

RIP, I never met Mr. Smith but I give all my symapthy for his family and friends during this time.

Thank you Aaron Smith for creating Monster Zero! It is a great place!

[Shonokin]

Like many of you, I've followed MZ from place to place and forum to forum since the mid 90s. It's very hard to imagine this fandom without Aaron at the wheel of MZ, making sure it always had a home and always had some sort of news to post.

This is really sad and a big loss.

Kyle, that is a really touching image. Thanks for sharing that.

[Gwangi]

I'm shocked and speechless.

[Rouge Message]

Everyone else has been so eloquent in their thoughts, I feel there's nothing I could add that hasn't been said. Aaron leaves a footprint on this fandom almost as big as Godzilla's. Rest in peace.

[ultrase7en]

You will be missed. Rest In Peace.

[Decimator]

[Brendosaurus]

[Benjamin Haines]

Whoa...

This was just, shocking when I read it. Completely unexpected.

I never did interact with Aaron much myself, but he always seemed cool to me whenever he posted on here.

Rest in peace, dude.

This may seem rather crude, but it's the only kind of memorial thing I could think to come up with making on such unexpected notice:

[bigknif]

I too was totally shocked to read the news.

Aaron was the one that first talked Augie and I into putting Markalite on the web as part of Monster Zero, which we did through the Fandom.com days, until we made it it's own site as Henshin! Online.

Aaron was always a great support and a good friend. I will definitely miss him, as will all of Godzilla fandom.

My prayers are with his family and friends...

[Mexigojira]

[obert22]

[mrbluehair]

[swfreakjpb]

[StarhunterNebulaM]

[mechakira]

Rest in peace my friend...

[MechaMothra]