Author Topic: A letter from a sister... (Read 2098 times)

Luap McKeever · « **on:** June 22, 2020, 04:25:09 PM »

Received this letter from Ros. She wanted me to post it here:

Quote

My brother John Rice lived for the moto guzzi forums where he was able to talk to many people who rode guzzis. I do not know however which forums he went on, so I want this message to go out to see if anyone knew him on this forum.

Back, (I think in 2017 or 2018) American Guzzi riders heard about John's problems with his bike, and the poverty he was living in. As I understand it, there was a fund raising ride for him, which resulted in money and aid being sent to him, way down here
in New Zealand, to get his bike on the road.
I am not sure how that all panned out, but firstly I want to thank the Guzzi community for your support of John.

John died homeless and suddenly in September last year. The bike still wasn't going. (Californinia but not sure what year.. I can find out). I have been told that it will cost a lot to fix, so I am planning to sell her as at 67 years old, I doubt I will ever use it.

I wanted to tell people that John died, and let you know I am selling his bike, and finally thank you again if you were involved in that fundraising for your kindness and support of a grumpy old man half way across the world,
who had nothing but your love and hope that he could ride again, to hold onto.

Thank you so much to all the American Guzzi riders who talked to John and kept his spirits up.
Ros Rice. John's sister.

dblue · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2020, 04:33:37 PM »

That brought a tear.

Zoom Zoom · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2020, 04:49:50 PM »

Quote from: dblue on June 22, 2020, 04:33:37 PM

That brought a tear.

Yup.

ZZ

Tom · « **Reply #3 on:** June 22, 2020, 04:54:45 PM »

Sorry to hear. I remember when that was going on for his bike.

twodogs · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2020, 04:56:28 PM »

RIP John, thanks sis for posting this, wish we could of met him

RinkRat II · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2020, 05:05:46 PM »

Godspeed and Rest in Peace, John

Paul B

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2020, 05:18:04 PM »

Very sad that he died homeless. He was a valued contributor to WG and had some of the most interesting stories to tell. I hope Ros checks in and reads the mail.

As a tie in there was this thread started by Muzz in April. https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=105293.0

And one of the most entertaining stories ever told on WG, authored by John, https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=32456.msg491179#msg491179

oldbike54 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2020, 05:24:53 PM »

John was my friend .

Dusty

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #8 on:** June 22, 2020, 07:14:21 PM »

What a character. So sad.. I used to love his posts. Dorcia and I faced the west and raised a glass..again.. to John.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #9 on:** June 22, 2020, 07:45:51 PM »

He did seem like a kind, humorous, intelligent man. May he rest in peace.

Lannis · « **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2020, 07:56:56 PM »

He said 3 years ago that if his landlord sold the building he lived in, he'd be homeless. I sort of hoped he was kidding, but guess not.

Always interesting experiences, he wrote about. Fascinating guy.

Lannis

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #11 on:** June 22, 2020, 08:01:52 PM »

I listened some of John's favorite music tonight in his honor - The Shadows . Godspeed mate.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #12 on:** June 22, 2020, 08:21:00 PM »

Quote from: Dave Swanson on June 22, 2020, 08:01:52 PM

I listened some of John's favorite music tonight in his honor - The Shadows . Godspeed mate.

Had to check it out, he had good taste too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5mIq3yF6Nc

balvenie · « **Reply #13 on:** June 22, 2020, 10:05:56 PM »

That really is sad, the way he died.
Very sorry to hear of it.

jrt · « **Reply #14 on:** June 22, 2020, 10:16:21 PM »

Oh, man I remember Johnr- interesting writer and poster. Godspeed-

exiledrebel · « **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2020, 10:20:14 PM »

That's very sad that he passed under such circumstances. Several years ago, he and I exchanged messages on various topics. He was a very interesting and thoughtful man who shared some ideas that stuck with me to this day. Godspeed.

guzzler · « **Reply #16 on:** June 23, 2020, 01:22:39 AM »

RIP ole mate
I feared the worst may have happened when none of us had heard from him for ages eh.
As a fellow Kiwi ( from Christchurch ) I can imagine how hard it must have been for him in Invercargill, especially in Winter!
Very sad.
I too will raise a glass in his memory.
Cheers Guzzler

oldbike54 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 23, 2020, 08:43:56 AM »

John was living in a caravan , not a great situation , but he wasn't in a cardboard box . He lived life on his own terms , something not everyone chooses to do , I choose to celebrate his existence . Thanks John for the communications we shared , and the wonderful gifts sent this way , you were an unusual bloke , honest , kind , intelligent , almost completely unconcerned with the trappings of modern life. Well done sir , well done

Dusty

Shorty · « **Reply #18 on:** June 23, 2020, 09:51:51 AM »

John and son Jon.

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #19 on:** June 23, 2020, 11:38:56 AM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on June 23, 2020, 08:43:56 AM

John was living in a caravan , not a great situation , but he wasn't in a cardboard box . He lived life on his own terms , something not everyone chooses to do , I choose to celebrate his existence . Thanks John for the communications we shared , and the wonderful gifts sent this way , you were an unusual bloke , honest , kind , intelligent , almost completely unconcerned with the trappings of modern life. Well done sir , well done

Dusty

Sad story, but at least he got to live life on his own terms.

Out here in the country in Tennessee, it is pretty common to see people living in Caravans, and Portable storage buildings. Some by choice, others out of necessity. From what I hear of New Zealand, I would have thought they had social safety nets to keep people from being on the streets.

Lannis · « **Reply #20 on:** June 23, 2020, 12:23:15 PM »

Quote from: twowheeladdict on June 23, 2020, 11:38:56 AM

From what I hear of New Zealand, I would have thought they had social safety nets to keep people from being on the streets.

They've got them here, and got them in New Zealand too, probably more.

There's places to stay for everyone, but not everyone is willing or able to live indoors and according to the rules.

I'm sure that John was living the way he wanted to live - he had family, he had the social safety net, but he chose to live life on his own terms, and I hope that was a positive thing.

Almost all the people you see on the street have a place they could stay, but they can't or won't abide by the even very simple rules that you have to follow to live there - no drugs, no liquor, no women. Their addictions typically don't make it a "choice" that they make, but it's not because the "net" is not there.

Lannis

chuck peterson · « **Reply #21 on:** June 23, 2020, 02:27:43 PM »

Nice! I remember this...

pebra · « **Reply #22 on:** June 23, 2020, 03:15:09 PM »

It was so good of Ros to reach out to the forum, I do hope Luap will let her know how it's appreciated.

Raising a glass in John's memory seems appropriate, I never had any contact with him but did appreciate his many fine posts.

Hey, it's St. John's Eve tonight!

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Author Topic: A letter from a sister... (Read 2098 times)

oldbike54

oldbike54