RIP my brother Neil

**merv** · 1st February 2009, 20:41

Her_B4 if you see LB can you let here know as I haven't had a chance to catch up with her lately and I know she doesn't check out KB these days.

**Her_C4** · 1st February 2009, 20:51

Originally Posted by merv

Her_B4 if you see LB can you let here know as I haven't had a chance to catch up with her lately and I know she doesn't check out KB these days.

Yes of course I will, seeing her tomorrow

**Meanie** · 1st February 2009, 20:54

Sorry for your loss Merv, not east loosing someone close to you

Congrats on your daughters wedding

**shafty** · 1st February 2009, 21:15

Hi Merv,

Real sorry about your Brother Mate, - saw it on the Uly site also.

Sounds like he was a great Mate also. I'm sure you treasure many good memories. Hang in there Dude

Shafty

**merv** · 31st March 2009, 21:40

With me now getting into selling Neil's bikes a few people have talked to me about him and his illness. I guess when people go splat its a huge shock and I suspect the grieving is hard.

With cancer, its a slow agonising death and you just see someone deteriorate over time. The last year seems to have gone nowhere for me, but then when I think about it, it seems ages ago that me and him were still riding together. The last few rides we did together were Christmas and New Year '07/'08. Back then he never even knew he had a tumour coming on, but three months later and it was nothing but bad news.

This was one of the rides I posted about - we did about 5 all up that holiday, and he was feeling fine. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=63917

RIP brother.

I appreciated the tribute Denill wrote for the Hawkes Bay Motorcycle Club which read:

"Vale Neil: 29 June 1951 - 14 January 2009

I recently attended the funeral of Neil, a Hawkes Bay Motorcycle Club life member.

Neil joined the HBMCC in the very early 70s and epitomised the best qualites that one could expect from a M/C club member. He was not a prima donna who thought the scene revolved around him. He was never going to be a NZ champion and Neil knew that.

Neil was not riding to feed an ego either and was always there to encourage the younger riders (including his two younger brothers) who were 'dipping their toes' into the sport. Participating in all aspects of the sport, MX, Trials, trail Rides etc and generally on the same bike as one did in thsoe far off days.

For all that, if they are still about, you will see Neils' name on a number of club trophies, the result of a combination of passion and dogged determination he achieved some worthy club championships. Significantly, Neil did it all with unabated enthusiasm, passion and most importantly - for fun.

Neil your history will continue to provide a great role model for those who follow. God speed.

Bill."

Thanks Bill that about summed him up. He kept competing about 17 years or so after I retired and I was the youngest brother.

So 40 years of riding together and to all out there, yes, "fun" is the word.