Virago Star Owners Club - VSOC Memorial Page

Many of you will know by now, on Thursday we lost a good friend from Centre 9.
Phil Tomaszewski lost his life while enjoying a lovely spring day, riding his bike.
Married with children, Phil was always smiling, and a joy to be with, he will be sadly missed.

The funeral service for Graeme "Gum" Hobbs was held on Thursday 21st January at Oakly Wood near Warwick (J13 M40) at 12:45pm

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform all our friends in the VSOC that Grum (Graeme Hobbs formally Centre 8 now Centre 4 rep) has died. He died peacefully on New Years morning in his sleep.

Grum , as you all know him had been Ill for some time but wanted to continue with his biking pursuits for as long as possible and with as little fuss as possible. For this reason only those closest were informed of his illness initially.

Grum was the bravest person I have ever met, we laughed about everything, even in our darkest moments we shared laughter. No one who met Grum could fail to forget him, he was a character as they say. He was a complex, warm loving man who despite anything I told him to the contrary, firmly believed he had rhythm on the dance floor, he lived life as he danced…. to his own tune.

His wish was to have a Humanist funeral in the Midlands and this is what we will strive to achieve.

Grum was capable of great love and those who knew him well loved him unconditionally. I have lost my better half, I loved Graeme with all my heart and was privileged to care for him in his final months. Biking was his life and the VSOC his joy.

Thank you to all the visitors we had over Christmas, you made his last Christmas perfect. I will make sure that everyone is informed about his funeral arrangements and hope we make him proud with his send off. I know I speak for Grum and myself when I say thanks to all of you who make life fun and let's continue to keep life crazy.

Allison

Grum joined the VSOC in 1999 and became an active member in Centre 8 although living in Bath at the time. When he moved back to Coventry, he took up the gauntlet and joined the Centre 8 committee as our original Merchandiser coming up with many funny Rally T Shirts and along with Roger devising the C8 Celtic Motif that is now proudly on their jackets. He moved up to the north east which saw him join Centre 4 and become their Rep; attending as many events over the last 12 months when his health allowed.

Grum has always been a regular face at the VSOC rallies and parties and will be sadly missed by all his friends. I have many happy memories of the years we spent together at rallies. He has always been my close friend and I will miss the hugs!

Sorry to hear the news - our condolences. From Colin, Mandy and all at Centre 18.

It is with regret that I have to inform all members of the tragic accident that happened on Thursday afternoon, Paul Stubley - better known as "Paul The Trike" sadly lost his life in a motorcycle accident near to his home in Barnsley, He was traveling alone and no other vehicle was involved.
I have been in touch with his wife, Janet and other members of his family and passed on our sincere condolences over this tragic loss of a good friend.
Having spoken with Janet's family, bikes and all members will be welcome to attend Paul's funeral which will be on Thursday 5th November 2pm at Ardsley Crematorium Barnsley S71 5EH on the A635 Barnsley Rd

For those wishing to attend on their bike please meet at The Old Post Office Public House - Huddersfield Rd (A637) between 12 - 1230 on Thursday 5th Nov (This is 1 minute off junct 38 M1) post code S75 4DE

The Yorkies hope that you will be able to attend and be of comfort to Janet and her family.
If you need any more information or wish to send a card, please phone me on 07974952237.
Thank you - Terry (Yorkies Rep)

It is with the deepest of regret that I inform all members of the VSOC that one of our senior members, Mike Fennemore (Centre 16 – Solent and founder member of the Eagle Riders) passed away on Saturday evening, 4 July 2009.

Farewell Bob !

You were one of the strongest and friendliest human beings that I have ever met. You were an example to us all and you will be sorely missed. Those of you that knew Bob, please tell of him to those that didn't. Tell them of Courage, Commitment, Humour and above all the one thing that we all seek within the Scrumpies, unwavering Cameraderie.
Vice

Hi to you all. By way of the website my I bring to your attention that on Friday the 11th of May, we in Scrumpie land had to say farewell to Michael, husband of Marilyn.

Marilyn is one of our ten-year members from Gloucester. Michael had been a good member of the Scrumpies and to the end had not let his illness get him down.

Over the last two years Michael had not been able to take part in some of the many activity we have been doing. This was down to cancer, which had been his burden, which as the Scrumpies, who attended on Friday found out. He was a fighter till the end in this life, but has now gone ahead to check out the bike/trail ride, which we all will have to make at some time in the future.

Michael had taken time to plan his last day, may I say in great detail but with great gusto. Well done Michael, if you have to go, what a way to do it. He did have his day and all supported his wishes. Marilyn was a rock for Michael in the last few years and on the day did not waver. What a credit you are and our thoughts are with you at this time and also to your family and friends. What more can one say except farewell but not forgotten Michael.

To those who knew him, It's with sad news that "Buffalo" Bill is no longer with us, having passed on to another dimension where maybe another Virago 750 can take him on some heavenly rides.

Please give your thoughts to Bry, Sue and their family at this time. If you need any more information, please contact me by phone 01709 305404 or E-mail. Tervirago1@aol.com

Terry (centre rep)

Geoff passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Saturday morning (30th July). The funeral was on Thursday 4th August at 3pm at Quarrington Church in Sleaford.

Julie (partner of Russell Greenhalgh) passed away after a heart attack at Leicester's Royal Infirmary on June 13th. Russell was at her side as she slipped away and is currently with friends in Leicester.

Most of you who have been to rallies over the past years will have come to know and enjoy Russell and Julie's company, who became honorary members of the Outriders MCC a couple of years ago.

Julie became ill at the International Rally in Northampton on Saturday night and was rushed into hospital where, unfortunately, she never recovered.

Steve's family would like to thank everyone who came to Steve's funeral to give him a lovely send off. His mum & dad were especially touched to see everyone who turned up on their bikes and just to see how many friends he had that thought so much of him.

There were a few tears!

It was so lovely to see everyone, words can't describe how I felt, it brought a lump to my throat and I felt overwhelmed.

So a Big Thank you for all the phone calls, e-mails, cards, flowers and everyone's kind words at such an awful time in my life, it means so much to me. I know Steve would have had a tear in his eye and felt so proud to have friends like you.

See you at the Rallies. Ride Safe.

Laura

___________________________________

This is a message to you, "Steve my Dad",
You're the best person I could of wished for and had,
I can't believe that you had to leave,
Now I feel as though my heart has stopped and I can't breath,
Steve I love you so much,
I can't believe you're not there to reach out with your warm touch,
But Dad all I can say,
Is you will never leave and always be around in your own special way!

I love you forever and always,

Love Angie

Dear All,

Alec and Margaret have asked me to say a big thank you to everybody for their support both before, during and since Bob's funeral. They, and the rest of their family and friends, were touched by the number of people and bikes that turned up on the day - over fifty from the VSOC. I know they deeply appreciated it. It was a hard day, one of highs and lows, but one that truly brought the best out of people.

All the best,

Anne Hodson
C14 Centre Rep

Robert Thompson died in a motorcycle accident on Wednesday evening on the way home from a club meeting. Rob was a very tall, happy, laid back person who always had a smile on his face - and a mischievous glint in his eye! He has been a member of our Centre for the last five years and was on our committee as Merchandising Officer, producing all our Centre's clothing and patches. The attached photo captures Rob as most of us saw him (a smile and a pint), plus he has some VSOC clothing on which he was proud to wear. He could be seen at most of our club nights and VSOC rallies and parties. Rob was much loved and respected by everyone and we'll all miss him immensely.

We are sad to announce the tragic death of our friend "Big John" Clarke. He died suddenly on Saturday afternoon 22nd Jan. Edwin (Webmaster Centre 18) webmaster@penpirates.co.uk

It's with a heavy heart and a tear in my eye that I have to let you know that Paul 'Goatee' Scott passed away on 7th Sept on his way home from one of our Centre 9 meetings in Gedling Nottingham.

Paul had been a member of the 'Lost Riders' for some years and was a very keen rider, attending almost all of the VSOC functions when he could. Even when he wasn't riding with the club, he could be found touring in Spain or in his home town of Blaby, Leicestershire.

It's a crying shame 'cos he was one of the good'uns out there. He'd seen the good and bad of times like most of us, put the rotten stuff away and would embrace life. He would always be up for a laugh. Most of the members in the club who have attended a rally in the last few years will remember him fondly - as I will.

As many of you will know by now, Frank Green, from the Outriders, died from leukaemia on Sunday 31st August following a short period of illness. Frank was a staunch supporter of the VSOC and attended most rallies and parties with his wife Margaret.

Frank's funeral was held on Tuesday 9th September at Macclesfield in Derbyshire. On Margaret's request, friends from the VSOC attending his funeral did so on their bikes. We all met at their home early afternoon and escorted the funeral cortege to the crematorium, stopping traffic along the way. More friends and family joined us along the way and, although an official count wasn't made, we estimate that there were about 60-70 bikes and several cars by the time we got to the crematorium.

The service was very personal and moving, conducted by two of Frank's close friends. After the service, we drank a farewell toast of whisky, a favourite drink of Frank's.

Margaret has asked me to let you know that a total of £610.00 was raised from donations on the day and to express her thanks to all those who contributed. The money will be divided between Chrisite's Hospital for Leukaemia Research and The British Heart Foundation. I'm sure that everyone would like to join me in expressing our condolences and best wishes to Margaret.

We will all miss Frank but we will not forget him.

Anne Hodson
Centre 14