Fred at Cyclefest 2010
We received word from Ginger that old friend Fred Poysor of London Ontario passed away after a brief fight wih cancer. We didn't even know that he had been sick.
Fred was a regular on the Ontaario rally circuit for many years. He had traveled first with his wife Wanda, who was also a rider. When she passed away several years ago, he continued to come out and, for the last few years, had been keeping company with Ginger. Fred and Ginger. It took me a while to get the significance of the names.
Although Fred rode his 2002 Illusion Blue GoldWing to most events, at Cyclefest on Labour Day weekends he would show up in his truck towing his large RV trailer. He had mosified the door so he could get the Wing into the kitchen and it was truly an awesome thing to watch him load it and unload it.
When Heather didn't pass her first motorcycle test a couple of years back, I contacted Fred to see if he could coach her. In addition to riding with a drill team, Fred helped many ladies acquire the skills they needed to get their licence. He brought his 1976 Honda 125 to the lot at the New Dundee Community Centre and spent several weekends setting up pylon courses and teaching Heather how to get through them. There was a special moment at last year's Rainbow Rally in Sudbury when Fred, at 80, won the oldest rider and Heather won the youngest.
My last ride with Fred was at the final Cyclefest last year. While Ginger was working and Heather and Sandy were out looking for a marriage licence, Fred and I too a ride up the Hockley Valley Road to the General Store for coffee. We returned via the Forks of the Credit and, despite his age, I couldn't lose him in the corners.
So long, Fred. Although I am glad you didn't suffer long, we sure are going to miss you.
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