I know how you guys feel. I never knew the guy either, his time here was before i arrived but as you said, it's a terrible thing when someone has to go so young and even those who never knew him can still recognise him as "one of our own". So it is quite normal and welcome i'm sure (by those who did know him), for all members new and old, who knew him and did not to offer condolences or just share a thought or indeed memory.
That's how i see it.
That's how i see it.