Tributes to Uncle B

[knight rider]

RIP bruce.

a really nice guy & someone alot of people looked up to & had total respect for.

["D" FZ1]

I never met Bruce but my thoughts go out to his family and friends. I attended Daryl's (dss3) funeral yeasterday. My thoughts are with you at Bruce's funeral today. RIP Dude.

[Joni]

I met Bruce a few times however what stands out in my mind was the time Dave came off… Sheila and Andre were working night and day shifts alternatively, and when they weren’t working they were at the hospital with Dave. Their house and their beloved animals were not getting much attention. Bruce and I were chatting everyday, talking through feeding the dogs, mowing the lawn, doing the washing etc. I thought what an amazing man, he stepped up and helped the family where ever he could; he was their backbone at times. For that I will be always be grateful…

An amazing man…
You will be missed.

My condolences to his family, his friends as well as the Swannepoel family.

I still owe you a beer Bruce... I will take a rain cheque, until we see each other again.

[Charlie]

RIP Bruce. Thoughts and condolences to your family and friends.

I havent spent as much time on 2 wheels as I'd have liked and was always greatful when so many Wellington 250 ride came up. From the few I have been on Bruce sticks in my mind. He stood out as giving a lot of his time and experience to organise and support the newbies, and is hell of a nice guy. Even on bigger group rides always looked out for those of us who cautiously slid to the back of the group.

I moved to Aus and havent been riding with KB or posting for some time; but I always check in on-line to see what everyones up to.
Is so very sad to have come across such bad news.

Ride well, ride safely.
Carly.

[judecatmad]

Thank you to Debbie and family for allowing so many of us to attend Bruce's funeral today. It was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful guy. So many people there.

As I said after the service Debbie, if there's anything I can do, anything at all, please yell out.

[Colapop]

What an awesome send off for an awesome bloke. Debbie, your words were very moving and an apt tribute to your mate. As we rode out to the cemetary, the front of the group pulled away and I was left 'leading' the precession. I had the opportunity to reflect on on some of the things that Bruce had said to me. One of those was "Don't worry about trying to ride, just ride". That's what today felt like, just riding - not trying to 'think' about it to much. Thanks Debbie for letting me/us share in Bruce and your day.
Col

[Paul in NZ]

I'm not real good at funerals - oh I can do 'superficial' but bubbling away underneath (sigh) anyway thanks everyone - and especially you Debbie. Man - if I was gunna loose it - it was while you were speaking - Kudos to you, that took courage and was beautifully done.

I wish I had half your courage and that you had not need ed to show it thus today.

Paul in NZ

[MD]

Like Paul said. Debbie has some amazing strength. Thank you to Bruce's close family and friends for letting us attend. Best wishes for the years ahead Debbie.
Did anyone else have a lump in their throat at Bruce's Mum's closing words. I'll try and get it right. After saying how they had always expected Bruce to return home from a ride, then he didn't come home. Then she said to us "Bikers, make sure you come home to your family" That was a soul searching moment.

[Mooch]

Hopefully we gave Bruce the appropriate motorcyclist send off today
Interesting talking with various people that had met Bruce, All held him in the highest regard.
I'll remember his cheesy grin at the starting line of the Carterton Sprints every time I nailed the throttle on the Ducati (Probably reminded him of the SV) and his shredded rear tyre on the last ride that I with Jim2 tagged along with him and other Kbers. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=33801

RIP Bruce

Debbie , Deeply sorry for you loss , Thanks for being able to get up and talk today, Often we only see the motorcyclist side of people we meet on rides, today we all found out about Bruce the husband and Bruce the wood fanatic.

Neal

[phoenixgtr]

Then she said to us "Bikers, make sure you come home to your family" That was a soul searching moment.

Yep. That hit home

[riffer]

Yeah, Bruce's mums words hit me like a sledgehammer. That's one of the hardest funerals I've ever been to.

A great send-off. I've taken a few pics of the bikes but I'm just too tired to put them together to show them all right now - I didn't sleep much last night.

Its amazing how Bruce had the same effect on so many other people that he did on me. RIP mate.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

I was brought up catholic - it seemed we attended every funeral going. NOTHING has ever touched the beautiful service of today, the courage of Debbie sharing about her husband, I am deeply humbled Debbie by your strenth and bravery and the fact you invted us all to share in Bruce's farewell. I cannot even begin to image what you are going through, but you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please never be afraid to reach out for help, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on. I could certainly understand your comment when you said Brucd would often lend his bike to others, a small window of hope but tragically it wasn't to be. Your love for each certainly shone through during the service. Thank you for sharing that with us all.

At the bottom of the crematorium, all bks got of their bikes and formed a circle, armes around each other and had a minutes silence at the end arms when up "Uncle B'. For me it was an extremly moving experience - the whole funderal was. I certainly feel very priviliged and honoured to have been a part of it. Thanks so much Jim2 for pillioning me out there. You are an excellent rider. On the way back I have given the thought of mentoring and will approach some more experienced members to train me up.

[ceebie13]

When you witness people's emotion and hear their voices break as they speak you can't help but feel deeply moved. My eyes welled up on more than one occasion as a result, but thank God someone then cracked a funny and we could all laugh. This afternoon I did something I have never done before - that is attend a total stranger's funeral. But "stranger" is now the wrong word because since Sunday I have learned so much about a man I knew so little of.
It simply leaves me feeling that I hope that one day I will find my niche in life in the way that Bruce did. It was a privilege to be part of the convoy and to meet new friends. In fact it felt as if I'd known you all for ages.
Debbie, you are a rock that will never be eroded. You will always have the friendship and support of all of us, and Bruce will always be in our thoughts.

[Fat Tony]

***** lump in throat ******

sounds like one hell of a tribute

[Ms Piggy]

Today was an exhausting and awesome day all at the same time. I felt the whole day was such a fitting tribute the wonderful UncleB.

Debbie - your strength, honesty & warmth were truly humbling. As others has already said: thank you so much for allowing us to share in farewelling a great man who will be sorely missed by many.

Thank you also to all the riders (those I already knew & those who I had the pleasure of meeting for the 1st time) who were considerate, safe and sensible (even when some of the cagers weren't!!) - I felt very proud to be part of such a group.