 Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
As many other have said, I'm in shock. Can't even think of what to say, R.I.P Good Friar.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,202 Likes: 11
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,202 Likes: 11 |
Quote:
I don't know who is going to take over for John but there should be a special place on the home page for him with all the time and effort he put in here.
I'm sure that the ones already involved would know what to do....
In any case, pm me if the site needs support, I could never fill in John's shoes, but if I can help, it would be my humbled privilege to do so in any way I can.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,643 |
Really sad to hear this news and would like to pass my deepest sympathy to Johns family and partner, we have lost a very good friend...
Ray(UK)
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 586 Likes: 21
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 586 Likes: 21 |
Janet's in tears, I'm not far behind, just heard the sad news from Freedom a few minutes ago. We loved the good friar; God bless and God's peace be with you old friend and brother.....
roadie
John 3:16
let's ride...
1969 Triumph Trophy 500
2004 America
2010 America
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 54
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Z called me at work. I'm shocked and sad. I'm lucky to say he was my friend. I'm reading everyone's post and my eyes are flooded with tears knowing that I will never see or talk to John again. That's a hard reality to accept.
What I told Z - John left us doing what he loved! Riding his Triumph! We can all smile about that.
When we find out about memorial - someone should coordinate a rally to the memorial. If we can - we should all go on our Triumphs to honor John.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
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Wow! This caught me of guard. Recently, I had asked him how he had time for three bikes, a career, a girlfriend and a moderators job. His response was that he was able to do anything he wants because of no spouse, kids etc. Never met John, but his ever presence on the forum will be missed.
Someone please post the details of the accident as they emerge. It's helpful to know what happened- a reaction to his meds, an inattentive driver on a cell phone, riders error etc.
Prayers going out to his family...
Didn't buy into the hype, you can keep the change.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 426 Likes: 2
Adjunct
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My deepest and most sincere condolences to all who knew and loved him.
This place will not be the same without his wit and sarcasm.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
I think of John as the father of the ba.com family. No one can fill his shoes but Jeff, your kindness in offering to help here is truly great.
I'm drawing on the good memories of John during his times here at my home and at the Nelson RAT Raid. It helps a little to do that. Dang this is tough!! Meanwhile I just what to thank John wherever he is, for all he did to make this world a better place. He was a big man in more ways than one!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,816
Freelance Jedi Knight
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Freelance Jedi Knight
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,816 |
Quote:
Wow! This caught me of guard. Recently, I had asked him how he had time for three bikes, a career, a girlfriend and a moderators job. His response was that he was able to do anything he wants because of no spouse, kids etc. Never met John, but his ever presence on the forum will be missed.
Someone please post the details of the accident as they emerge. It's helpful to know what happened- a reaction to his meds, an inattentive driver on a cell phone, riders error etc.
Prayers going out to his family...
Quote:
The crash occurred at about 3:15 p.m. west of the I-5 when Bedard, who was traveling at about 65 mph in the carpool lane, locked up his brakes and skid forward as traffic began to slow, the California Highway Patrol said.
Bedard wound up losing control and was ejected off his motorcycle into the roadway, the CHP said.
No other vehicles were involved, the CHP said
this is The End of an era ...he will be missed .......
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
John's Seagrams he left with me just 16 short days ago. FRIAR!
I have a partial bottle of Crown in the kitchen cubboard, and I don't even drink the damn stuff. But either way, thank you for letting us know Jim.
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 436
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I'm truly shocked. Never met John, but felt like i did by reading his posts and doing some trading with him thru the classifieds. He will be greatly missed here at BA.com and of course, my condolences to his family and friends.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,124 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,124 Likes: 13 |
In my haze I stand corrected, as a purple bag denotes Crown Royal. THAT is what the good Friar left with me. And that is what I will hoist to his memory tonight. John, you and John were good friends. Please take it easy tonight. I intend to attend John's wake.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 59
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Member
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Posts: 59 |
Barely knew him only from here and one email exchange but I'm devastated at this news. My heart goes out to all of you that knew him best.
If there's something we can come together and do for his family I'm open to it.
Last edited by eighteen98; 06/06/2012 3:00 PM.
'04 TBA Black
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 512
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I too am saddened by this news.I never met him but felt like I knew through this site. RIP John.
Just an old Hippie and I don"t know what to do.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 240
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Shocked as well... my heartfelt condolences to John's family and friends.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 490
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I never had the pleasure of meeting John in person, We chatted often via PM's on facebook. This is a huge loss, my heart goes out to his girlfriend, family and his brothers on this forum.
Ride like you mean it.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 200
Adjunct
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,931 Likes: 3
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,931 Likes: 3 |
Crushed, John like a good many of you folks here was more than just a friend on the forum to banter with. We spoke often and this just blows me away.
I was looking forward to seeing him in as well as others in Georgia and I was robbed of the opportunity.
Crushed.
eddy
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,202 Likes: 11
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,202 Likes: 11 |
Went outside to the yard next to the beer I left him, 'cos it's 4 am here and even though I don't feel like it, I'm trying to go to bed...
Saying goodbye, looking up at the clear sky... I kid you not, a shooting star just flew right by smack down the middle.... and all I could think was.... thank you, John.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
Z (He's gone?)
Im still having a hard time getting my brain to accept this but yes, he's gone Kit.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641 |
Sad news for sure..Sometimes wondering why? always leaves me with a void..RIP Friar.."Rideing the Rocket"n'fullfilling your dream!!God Bless!!
life is good..I am retired..sold my America in 2008,bought a Rocket and sold that in 3/2013 and now own a new Triumph Bonneville T-100
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 538
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2010
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Quote:
Deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
R.I.P John 
Are we there YET? I gotta go pee!!
08 SpeedMASTER, Black and Red!
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
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First time I met John (Friar) and John (Freedom). This was a day before we departed Seattle and headed for Surrey then on to Nelson (also my first trip to Nelson). This was in 2008.  His battery quit at the boarder crossing that year. I laughed my arse off as he pushed it across the boarder. This was later that eve at Gordie's (Celt) house. John showing off his gams as he replaced his battery.  Nelson 2011 - John and Karen having a good ole time.  John and Eddy sitting on a bench in Jerome Az. 2011. 
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,177 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,177 Likes: 55 |
Looks more like he is flipping off the camera than showing his gams in that one shot 
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,124 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,124 Likes: 13 |
Good times 2010  
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
Looks more like he is flipping off the camera than showing his gams in that one shot
Dang it. I never saw that. He's laughing at this right now, I can feel it. 
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 244
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A dam dam shame,  Tailwinds to him.
Do, or do not...There is no try.'- Master Yoda
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 478
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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To Heaven's FNG - (And that would be "Finest" New Guy up there, though he told me I rode like the other kind of "FNG" down here.) Not too many people have I allowed to stay in the personal space I call my home, but John was the type of guy you would want to be there, regardless of how you met him. I'm glad Nancy and Lucy the Wonder Schnauzer got to meet him, as he was what exemplified the vast majority of people on this site. As a matter of fact, I think Lucy had a crush on the good Friar, and she's an excellent judge of character. Work calls me away, but allow me to close by saying this: 1. I'll never walk away from my bike without thinking I've left the lights on; 2. I'll never make a turn without thinking I've forgotten to turn off the signal; and 3. When I forget to do these things, and I probably always will, I'll hear that Friar's voice muttering "Ef-en-gee"  behind my back. PS - But John, I like cable...
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Mar 2011
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Hello Everyone My Name is Gene Fenske I have been friends with John for 27 years and he was like a brother to me. I am so touched by what all of you have said here. I am sorry for the loss that I know we all feel at this time and I know that his family, girlfriend and non BA.com friends would and will appreciate what you have said on these pages. I will make sure they know of this thread. We will all miss him very, very much. I have spoken with his mother and father and they are in the process of finding out what they can about what happened and making final arangemnets. As I know more I will do my best to pass the information along. I am the one that introduced him to riding motorcycles and can still remember the day we picked up his first America and our first short ride from East Helena to Toston and back. Little did I know then the passion it would ignite in him for motorcycling and particularly his Triumphs. He loved this site . . . it was one of his pride and joys. I do not know what else I can say. John was doing one of the things he loved at the time he left this world. . . Should we all be so lucky. If you need to contact me my wife and I share genoandnancy@msn.com for email and we will check it as often as we can. I can also be found on facebook (Gene Fenske - Helena, MT.) Sincerly, Geno
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1 |
Very sad, I never met John, but it's easy to tell he was a good guy. RIP.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 755
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Sep 2007
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2003 black and silver T.B.A A1 removed,Specialty Spares long slashed Pipes .
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,477
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jun 2005
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I never had the privilege of meeting Friar John except on this board. I feel poorer for never meeting him in person, but fortunate in the contact that I did have with him on this site and in this community of those who enjoy the wind in their faces and the feeling of freedom that comes with riding. Every day may be the last for any of us. Don't spend a minute of it being miserable. There just ain't enough time no matter how much time you think you may have. Rest in peace, John. Hope to meet you on the other side, so warm the damn bike up. 
JB
"Long live the Duck Force!"
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 657
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Posts: 657 |
Like many on this site, I sit here totally abject to this horrible news. I only knew and admired him and his efforts through the ethernet.
He was always there for us, solving our problems, offering sound advice and being supportive in so many ways.
His devotion to riding and this site will sadly be missed.
If I was ever going to USA, he was on top of my "to meet" list, sadly this will not happen.
To his family and friends I sincerely offer the deepest condolences from down under.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Thanks Gene.
Please pass on the best wishes from several thousand bonnevilleamerica.com members
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 96
Member
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Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 96 |
Very sad news,My condolences to his family and friends
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Posts: 402
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Adjunct
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Its a very sad day indeed
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,931 Likes: 3
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,931 Likes: 3 |
Z,
Thanks for posting that picture. I was thinking I didn't have any picture of John. This one means a lot to me because that day in AZ I decided to hang out with John, it was freaking hot and we were both thirsty and thought we would just sit and have some water and talk. Picture like this, sitting and taking the time to talk at these rallies and get to know people is what I look forward to more than the rides too and from and during events.
Johns friends and family we share your grief and loss.
Last edited by Fasteddy; 06/06/2012 4:47 PM.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
NO! This can't be happening!!! My computer access was down for most on this morning, and now I've just got it back and the first thing I discover is THIS!!!!
I'm in shock! There's no other way to put it.
John was THE life's breath of this website. BUT, even more importantly, over the many years of our mutual association and participation at this website, John became a very valued friend.
I'm sorry, but at this time that is all I can say. I'll have other things to say about John after I get over the initial shock of this sad sad news.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8 |
Gene,
So sad to have to welcome you to the forum under such a dark cloud of despair.... But thanks for the picture of John's life.
I still can't believe this.... When I saw the post I was sure someone was pulling an April fools joke but it's June and with fear and trepidation, opened the post only to be blown away with the reality of it all. It's like I lost one of my best friends, even though I never met him.
We'll miss the Good Friar.
I hope all of you that have pictures of John can post them as a tribute to a good friend.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,931 Likes: 1 |
we should do this every weekend!
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