Well, yes when you put it like that - however, that CentOS guy apparently was not in any active role in the project for quite some time now and his disappearanc

Well, yes when you put it like that - however, that CentOS guy apparently was not in any active role in the project for quite some time now and his disappearance does nothing to CentOS. When other people, who actively participate in the project, quit - like Alan Cox did, most of them - if not all - responsibly manage the transition.