It's been sitting on my bench waiting for the next time I saw him, so happy to keep it if necessary Ricky
Some of his posts were simply brilliant -King Cobras!- and magicians fixing his bike for pennies. There were a few great pics too but what always struck me was the the obvious character of a really genuine man that shone through his tales. I'm sorry never to have had the pleasure of meeting him. RIP John, you will be missed by many. Sincere condolences to all his family and friends everywhere.
the last time he encountered one he said he spent ages plucking up the courage to return back on the same path as it was the only way back, true heart in mouth moment. Another time John said he was atop quite a tall but slim building and suddenly got clouted from behind by a large bird of prey which almost sent him tumbling. He had no idea what was coming right up to the strike.
There is a Memorial Service for John on the 29th of April in Worthing and John's nephew has supplied me with his phone number so that anyone who would like to attend can contact him to confirm. Please send me a p.m. and I will supply this to you as both John's niece and nephew would be glad for us to attend but space in the Chapel is limited.
John was such a character, so many stories to tell and never the same one twice, I will miss our ride outs, it’s been a pleasure to know such a nice guy, RIP John.
Ben has asked me to add this: – Myself Ben (Johns Nephew), and my Sister Layla (Johns Niece) have been overwhelmed with everyone’s kind words, and that so many are wanting to pay their respects to John. Both the funeral service and wake venue are now at full capacity. We are so pleased John will have the send off he deserves with his family and closest friends. Anyone who has private messaged me, and I have replied to, are on the list. For those people, nearer the time, I will confirm details of times and the address of the funeral/wake. It will be casual dress or biking gear, just as John would expect, whatever your comfortable in. Anyone is welcome to join the bike procession, leaving Storrington Leisure Centre car park at 09:45 and traveling to HD Tribes, chapel in Broadwater. There unfortunately is no parking at the Chapel so you will have to park the bikes in nearby roads. We hope John gets a great send off on the 29th, and we are looking forward to hearing plenty of biking stories involving John on the day. Thanks again, Ben and Layla x
Ben has asked me to also add The following:- For those that have asked, in lieu of flowers we are honouring John with donations to either St Barnabas or Cancer research. Please click the link below and type his name into the search bar. https://www.love2donate.co.uk/inmemory/identify_name.php?bc=448 Anyone unable to attend the funeral, ^ here is information of how to log on to view the webcast. This will be available to view at 10:30 on the 29th of April.
Sent from Stuart (Torquepen) today:- I’ve had the pleasure of riding with John over the last few years and I’m missing the old bugger already. It’s beginning to warm up out there now and the better weather would always tempt John back into his leathers and onto his bike. I miss his observations on life, his advice on motorcycling and of course, his amazing stories about his escapades in India. But one thing I won’t miss is cleaning up after him at various grub stops! I remember John once telling me of being ‘over the moon’ after he’d managed to blag his way into an automotive event on the cheap - only to find out later that the gateman had given him a pensioners ticket! Like myself, John was an Electrician and he was well known to be rather careful with his money. There’s an old saying that copper wire was invented by two men fighting over a Penny. I have long suspected that one of those men was John. Over the last few years we’d taken to exploring alternative routes to Loomies and had often rode the Meon Valley on our way over there. Last year we went beyond the Moto Café to Alresford in search of (would you believe) a Crop Circle! Well, we eventually found it, parked up and made our way out into the golden corn. John was a free thinker and open minded where things mystical were concerned and so, almost without words, we decided there and then to try and ‘tune in’ to this thing we were standing in. Imagine our surprise when almost instantly, we were subjected to a weird and strange buzzing noise. Open mouthed, I looked over at John and he glanced back, surprise written all over his face. My God, I thought, something’s happening! But then, all of a sudden, the strange noise stopped abruptly with a ‘thud’ and a hapless, geeky looking chap bedecked with a controller, approached John from behind saying, “Did you happen see where my Drone came down?”. John and I had a few chuckles over that one! Rest in peace, Crystal John. Stuart
