Tributes to Uncle B

[Clivoris]

I can't claim to have known Bruce very well at all, but the service today confirmed something for me.

Kua hinga ra te totara nui i te wao nui a Tane.
Haere atu ra. E te rangatira. Haere atu ra.
A mighty totara has fallen in the forest of Tane.
A leader of men. Go in peace. Go in Peace.

To the family. I grieve your loss and thank you for the celebration of his life that we had today.

[chanceyy]

It was a truly beautiful service, understanding the many aspects of a wonderful man .. all of the tributes were moving & yes there were a few lumps & tears, I certainly had a few ..

debbie you did an outstanding tribute to your fabulous man .. well done girl .. & if you need anything please ask ..

thanks to Aj for the ride down .. & even though it was a sad occasion it was fantastic to see how many ppl held uncle b in such high regard
& to put a few more faces to names ..

[RM125]

What a beautiful farewell for a beautiful guy, the fact that Debbie could speak so well their today was inspiring to us all, a very courageous and strong woman.

I worked with Bruce and all of his colleagues attended his funeral today, I know I speak for them all that we were blown away with the turn out of Bikers most he would have known but some that have being introduced to him by the many tributes on here over the last few days.

Most at work were not aware just how deeply involved he was in the motorcycling scene around Wellington.

It is awesome to know that so many of you experienced what we were lucky enough to experience everyday at work.

Lastly a big big thankyou to Peter Adams for everything he has done over the last week I can't imagine how difficult it was to suddenly have to organise a farewell for a great mate. We all owe you a big debt of gradtitude for this and the way you have helped Debbie through everything.

RIP Bruce

[ajturbo]

today moved me more than i had expected...

i was telling a fellow KBer in Auckland that, if i had a dry eye, i would have been the only one

see ya uncleB

[Skunk]

Thank you Debbie and family for letting us share your special moments with Bruce.

I would like to say more but I can't find the words I need...

[one-speed]

R.I.P Uncle B

[Sparky Bills]

What a great way to say goodbye to a great mate.
Were a few times where i really found it tough to hold myslef together, but i just thought about all the good times id had with my mate, and all i could do was smile.

I was soooo proud to be a biker today.
Thankyou to everyone who made this day such a great send-off for such a great guy.
My mind feels at ease now, and all i can do is think about all the fun times we shared.
Would have liked to have met you today Debbie, sorry that we didnt.
All my best wishes to you and the rest of the family.
Martin Billing.

P.S. Good bye Bruce. You were such a good mate, I will never forget you.

[COP_B8]

I have only just caught up with the thread and details but cannot think what to write that has not already been said by the many other people that you have helped and touched.

Your help and assistance to all Riders and Newbies alike was amazing, me included, i remember you tailgating me to provide light when my headlights failed on Paekakariki Hill road, and as has been previously said it makes you realise how these accidents can occur so unexpected when it can happen to such a skilled rider and all round top bloke.

Hey Dude,
I was talking to you about getting together and heading out for a session.

I've been thinking of getting into doing some training for med level riders who want to improve. I don't claim to know everything but I have done training with two former top NZ road racers.

If you want to go ahead I would like you to give feedback on the way I manage the session as this will help me decide weather to offer these type of sessions to others.

I have already done one session with a rider who had a noticeable improvement at the end of the day.
The day would start at 9am with a break for lunch and finishing mid afternoon. Any weekend Sat or Sun would be fine.

Some of the points that will be covered in the session are: Smoothness, Bike position on the road, Emergency breaking, Low speed manoeuvring.

Feel free to think about it and get back to me.

Cheers
Bruce

Just an example of the amazing genourisity, and time Bruce had for people.

R.I.P UncleB

Cam

[KLOWN]

I'm not to good with touching sentiments but todays funeral was very special. Aj was correct in saying there was not a dry eye in the house. I'm sure uncleb would have loved it.

[MattRSK]

Thankyou Bruce.

[sexy beast]

To Bruce, Bruce & Daryl.
You will always be in our thoughts and we will miss you.
Some knew you and some didnt, But as KBers we will cherish you.
we wish you were here now more than ever, as there was so much more to know about you
like our stars in the southern sky, our eyes will search always for you
like angels above us, you will always ride among us.
Rest in peace brothers...

[98tls]

Ride on bro..............forever....................RIP... .....

[madmal64]

Thanks Debbie for sharing Bruce with us all.
A lot of us here got to see the other sides of his life today and for me that was great. Being part of UncleB's send off was very moving & a privilage.

[chappy916]

Hello to you all in NZ. I'm Steve Hannaford, one of Bruce's two brothers in the UK. Reading all your posts makes me truly proud to have been his brother. I hadn't seen him for a few years - he came over to London back in 99 (or was it 2000), and the last time I was in NZ was 1997. We certainly had a great time then, though Bruce hated London. I recall he couldn't understand why he was approached by so many friendly men when he was out drinking in the evening - we had to tell him to stop wearing those lumberjack shirts and shave off that moustache! He was truly horrified when he realised.

Like all us bikers (forza Ducati), Bruce lived and died doing what he loved. I know he wouldn't change his mind about that - so the best tribute to him is to get out and ride - but be careful out there.

God bless you all - the biking community is the same the world over!

[merv]

Nice to hear from you Steve and you sure have picked up how respected Bruce was.