 Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 130
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2010
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Never met John unfortunately. But like many I felt like I knew him based on interactions on this board. RIP Friar.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 18
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 18 |
Gods Speed John & Gob Bless...Will keep your family in my prayers! I don't really feel like riding,but when I do I'll go "Pegs Down" for FJ!
'07 America "Arrest Me Red" & Black! Tighten It Till It Strips,Then back-off a 1/2 turn.
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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 |
After waking up today I feel much the same as yesterday... just sad. I (we) have to snap out of it and begin rejoicing in the wonderful friendship so many here enjoyed with John. I am very grateful to have known him both on and off this forum. Wherever you are John, thanks for being my friend!
Live to love, love to live.
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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 |
I'm sure John would tell all us chuckle heads to get on with life and go ride.
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: 1,823
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,823 |
wow this is sad news..I had to read it twice to believe it..
RIP JOHN you will be missed & remembered by many....
Ed
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
Same here Keith. Just rolled out of bed and the first thing I did was check the forum about John. I'm still sad for everybody...family, friends, and all. We'll muttle through and things will work itself out it's just...THIS SUCKS!
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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 |
Than Almitra spoke, saying, "We would ask now of Death."
And he said:
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the sheered not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
when i got home yesterday and turned this box on, the first thing i saw was this post. needless to say i was in shock. i had to shut it down and walk away. i only had just met John at the Ga. rally and enjoyed my time talking to him. we had a funny conversation about the fact that i had cost him quite a bit of money last yr as it was me who turned him on to the Rocket deal. now i am wishing i never had. i know that even if he had not gotten the Rocket he would probably still have been in Cali for the visit, but then i have to wonder. we have had a few moderaters around here and some have found it to be to much but here was a guy that took the time it must take to do that job and did it because of the love of the site. i am trully saddened by this and have to believe that him and Shep will be riding the big road together in that small group of Triumph riders that have went before. R.I.P. good Friar, you will be missed here but we all look forward to seeing you in the next world and sharing that ride with you and Larry!!! this is a very sad day at B.A.com very sad indeed. my prayers and condolences to his family, may they find peace in knowing that he was where he wanted to be doing what he wanted to do 
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 226
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 226 |
very,very sad news.i never ever put th puter on before i go t work in th mornin,but f some reason i turned it on, n was confronted with this terrible news.sad.ride on john,ride on.
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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 |
When is the next ride/event? I was thinking (even though I can't be present, being on the other side of the planet) that something like a patch might be an idea? Been working on something... it's still very crude and unfinished but would it be something that members would be interested to sport in showing our appreciation? 
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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 |
Excellent job there, Jeff!  I like it...a lot!
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: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297 |
I like it. Most of us know of this site, but I thought I would include it in our active remembrance. Friarsride
In Between the Dark and the Light..
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,264 Likes: 14
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,264 Likes: 14 |
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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 |
As many others have stated this morning, I also woke up with Friar John being my first thought. And so, after makin' coffee, my first move was to sine into this website and view the latest on John's RIP thread here. I noticed my PM signal flashing and found that John Halpop, aka "freedom" another very close friend to the Friar's, had sent me a PM. This was John's PM to me titled "C**P"...and John I hope you won't mind me makin' this public here: ------------------------------------------- Dwight, I'm glad Friar John got to spend part of his last big ride at the Southwest. He greatly anticipated being able to give you crap in person. He also thought a great deal of you as a friend John ------------------------------------------ I think my following reply back to John might best express my personal thoughts about the untimely death of the "The Good Friar" now that I've had a little time to come to grips with this: --------------------------------------------- Thanks John. I know from the many conversations I had with him online and in person over the years, he felt the same way about you. Your "He greatly anticipated being able to give you crap in person" line and Mike's picture in his RIP thread where Mike's caption of, "Trying to get Dwight to listen", had me chuckling to myself. You probably remember early on when this website was in its "infancy", John and I would often banter back and forth quite a bit on the site, kind of like two bantam roosters. And then, about five or six years ago, I invited John to stay over at the house in California when he was riding down there to visit his parents. More than a few folks on this website thought that that would be somethin' to see when him and I would finally meet face-to-face. Well, to maybe the "surprise" of others as you know, we got along very well that weekend, though I'm not sayin' we didn't exchange a few barbs at each other durin' that time  , and became pretty darn close from then on out, though once again, I'm not sayin' we didn't continue to exchange the aforementioned barbs occasionally, of course. Whenever I threw this here SWTF, one of my first hopes was always that John could make it down here to them, which as you know, he did three times. And now, I can't believe I will never have the opportunity to visit him up there in your beautiful state...and bug him on his "home court". Thanks for your PM here, ol' buddy. I think typing this reply to you is probably helping me come to terms with all this. Cheers, Dwight
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: 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 |
Quote:
Excellent job there, Jeff!
I like it...a lot!
+1
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 738
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 738 |
Shocked at this terrible news. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends. A legend that will be missed by many far and wide. RIP good Friar.
One day as a tiger is worth a thousand as a sheep
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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:
Quote:
Excellent job there, Jeff!
I like it...a lot!
+1
Thanks guys!
I am new at this... It's my first try at doing a memorial patch.... should I include some dates? or ba.com in there?
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,668 |
I've been off the site and out of the saddle for a while, but i felt the need to drop in and express the great sadness and shock that i feel after finding out about this on Facebook. I never met John but have interacted with him on here and i considered him a friend just the same. He will be missed.I wasn't able to attend the Georgia rally this year, and having missed the opportunity to meet this man makes me regret it even more.
I don't know what his views were concerning faith, but i truly hope to see him in the great beyond.
And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. 1John 2:25
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come; He will guide you in all truth:
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,629 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,629 Likes: 7 |
I never met John in person although I had several occasions to chat with him online. He seemed to have a very good sense of humor and was always ready to give advice and pointers from his stock of knowledge. BA.com will be much poorer without him.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2 |
I'm not around here as much as I once was...some may not even know me, some may remember me, (some may not want to) and some I am honored to count among dear friends all because of this site...
John and I 'met' here and I was often the victim (deservedly so) of the Hammer of Smiting® ...but before I posted anything likely to cause the Hammer to swing I would often give the Mods a heads up via a PM, particularly John, since it was 50 to 1 that it would be he who swung the mighty blow...John and I developed a friendship based upon the mutual respect we had shown each other...he had a "job" to do here, maintaining the order and I had something to say that, albeit controversial or inflammatory, I felt needed to be said...John would PM me back and say I'll let it go as long as I can...but I will probably have to "Smite you" I understood and accepted this...Often John would PM me with his personal approval of my post and warn me that he would have to "delete your post and give you crap" ...
We had much more contact (with far less Smiting) on FB and again he and I may not have seen eye to eye on every subject (politics comes to mind) but there was always honesty and respect for each other, a rare quality indeed. On those things we did agree on we would rant (or converse at length) on, "like" each others posts and "steal" the ones we really liked…I will sorely miss the banter we would publicly share and the respect and honesty we shared privately…
Despite his personal opinions regarding anything he saw posted here he always (with rare exceptions) publicly acted in a manor that was for the greater good of BA.com…
I’m am still in shock at the news and I don’t think I have yet to really discover just how incredibly much I will miss John, the times we shared, or what he did for this site!
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 323
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 323 |
So, I just found out about this this morning when I saw Soren's post on Facebook. I never met John in person but just seeing him on here and on FB gave me the impression that he would have been a great friend had I know him better.
Here's to Friar John and the impact he had one everyone he never even met.
R.I.P. John Bedard.
Swing low.
-neight
2004 Triumph Bonneville Black
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212 |
i would be very interested in contributing some funds to a flower fund or something like that, is there someone close that has a paypal account and we can fire over some money for this, really its something that should be done.
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297 |
Quote:
I'm not around here as much as I once was...some may not even know me, some may remember me, (some may not want to) and some I am honored to count among dear friends all because of this site...
John and I 'met' here and I was often the victim (deservedly so) of the Hammer of Smiting® ...but before I posted anything likely to cause the Hammer to swing I would often give the Mods a heads up via a PM, particularly John, since it was 50 to 1 that it would be he who swung the mighty blow...John and I developed a friendship based upon the mutual respect we had shown each other...he had a "job" to do here, maintaining the order and I had something to say that, albeit controversial or inflammatory, I felt needed to be said...John would PM me back and say I'll let it go as long as I can...but I will probably have to "Smite you" I understood and accepted this...Often John would PM me with his personal approval of my post and warn me that he would have to "delete your post and give you crap" ...
We had much more contact (with far less Smiting) on FB and again he and I may not have seen eye to eye on every subject (politics comes to mind) but there was always honesty and respect for each other, a rare quality indeed. On those things we did agree on we would rant (or converse at length) on, "like" each others posts and "steal" the ones we really liked…I will sorely miss the banter we would publicly share and the respect and honesty we shared privately…
Despite his personal opinions regarding anything he saw posted here he always (with rare exceptions) publicly acted in a manor that was for the greater good of BA.com…
I’m am still in shock at the news and I don’t think I have yet to really discover just how incredibly much I will miss John, the times we shared, or what he did for this site!
Not that there is any silver lining here, but I am certain John would have been "snarkily" pleased to have so many family members coming home to pay their respects. I too vanished from the site for far to long worried about work. Thanks for coming home, and I hope we get to ride together soon. (and Fishercat too).
In Between the Dark and the Light..
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
I hope we get to ride together soon.
Me too buddy...me too!
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476 |
RIP good friar. i never met you but i always enjoyed you knowledge and wit. enjoy the smooth pavement and tasty curves in heaven.
sad to see you go.
If it isn't broke, I haven't messed with it.
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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 |
I would wear one of those patches. Back when I first posted here I used to go at it with John on a regular basis but in recent years we have gotten along just fine.
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: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
HELL Ian, when YOU(okay, and I) first started posting here, YOU(okay, and I again) would "go at it" with just about EVERYBODY 'round here, DUDE!!! 
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: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
HELL Ian, when YOU(okay, and I) first started posting here, YOU(okay, and I again) would "go at it" with just about EVERYBODY 'round here, DUDE!!!
Now THAT I was around for...
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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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 |
I had to make a 97 mile trip to work the Chopper last night. Before I heard about John I had planned on riding my bike up there. After I heard about it I didn't want to ride. I told my wife I was taking the car. As I walked out the door, I looked at my car and thought, I'll be damned if fear and grief will keep me from this. I got on my bike and made the trip. I am not ashamed to say I cried most of the miles to work. I was up until 0230 this morning as we were busy flying last night, and Friar was in my thoughts even then.
I work again tonight, taking the bike back up, even if it rains.
Jeff that Patch is awesome, it captures Friar.
God Speed Brother, To his family and friends, we grieve with you.
To all of you, live so that you have no regrets.
eddy
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 807
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 807 |
What a shock,hard to believe,John was a guy I'd have liked to have met but never did,in the US last year I met Dwight and Becky and John asked why we didn't come up to him but we were riding the route66,we've bantered on the forums for the last 10 years, BA.com and FB. When I bought my Harley Deluxe earlier this year He posted "I scraped the hell out of one of those in Arazona a few years ago" God be with you John,thinking of you and your family, R.I.P.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Quote:
Excellent job there, Jeff!
I like it...a lot!
+1
I like it also Jeff. I think the next Ba.com rally is the Midwest Rally on July 6th-8th.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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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 |
Quote:
Quote:
Excellent job there, Jeff!
I like it...a lot!
+1
I'd be honoured to wear that patch. Great idea, Jeff.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
I'm very sorry to hear of this shocking loss.
Sincerest condolences to John's family and friends.
Rest in peace John.
Please, ride safe everyone.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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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 |
I wear 2 patches of Fallen Riders under my "Live ands Let Live" patch..Be honored to Put Friars' with my friends as He was also a good friend.Brought Him and His Bollox back from the Oyster Run here in Washington state to Montana a couple years back..wanted to take picture but He taught me that Triumphs' are to be ridden,not trailered..He promised to destroy my camera if I took a pic,and we all know He meant what he Said..God Bless John!!!
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: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,425
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,425 |
I feel totally like crap!,, I thought this to be a joke thread also and actually paid no mind to it till today! I feel ashamed for not seeing it sooner. I never met him myself, I enjoyed the PMs we shared on bs topics, and really liked his witt in the forum. My day is now grayer to realize all this. RIP John.
Mal: "Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun?{ref, Jayne} Man's lookin' to kill some folk. So really, it's his will y'all should worry about thwarting."
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,212 |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Excellent job there, Jeff!
I like it...a lot!
+1
I'd be honoured to wear that patch. Great idea, Jeff.
Ditto
2007 Speedmaster and miss it!
2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it!
Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 257
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 257 |
Quote:
I was thinking (even though I can't be present, being on the other side of the planet) that something like a patch might be an idea?
Been working on something... it's still very crude and unfinished but would it be something that members would be interested to sport in showing our appreciation?
Possible to get that as a sticker too? I'd definitely slap one of those proudly and prominently on my bike.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15 |
This is terrible news. Like others have said here, I never knew him personally, but felt like i did through this site. I lurk here a lot, and really appreciate the wonderful attitude prevalent on here. John was the center of that. You could tell just by his posts the kind of man he was. Thanks for everything, John.
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580 |
Quote:
When is the next ride/event?
I was thinking (even though I can't be present, being on the other side of the planet) that something like a patch might be an idea?
Been working on something... it's still very crude and unfinished but would it be something that members would be interested to sport in showing our appreciation?
Sorry to be a pain, but instead of being round would it be possible to get that done in the shape of a bulldog?
I'll be pround to wear one no matter what shape BTW
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: John Bedard R.I.P.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Posts: 2,531 |
Just dang , haven't been here in awhile and this was a shock to see....prayers are with John's family..... a neat guy if there ever was one.
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