Bert’s Last Ride

The Nipissing Section has lost a valued member of our group.  On July 24, 2020 Bert Dewsbury passed away suddenly while happily working on his home.  

Bert will be missed at our gatherings for his well rounded knowledge, his gift for gab, contagious smile smile, his tolerance when the guys would joke with him about his “small stature” when riding his Victory bike, and how no matter the topic he could change the subject to a story about “back in Iron Bridge”. 

When we held our Section Trials we could only convince Bert to ride once.  Amid much teasing he backed down as a rider after receiving a “boo boo” to his shin but he jumped in with great enthusiasm as our trials observer and scorekeeper extraordinaire with his usual humour and finesse.  

When on a Section ride, things were always interesting with Bert along either on his Victory or following along in his Miata as the “pick up crew”.  One ride we spent some time scrounging for bungee cords to tie up parts, like the signal lights, from falling off his prized Victory.  He always took these little hiccups in stride, with a smile and a laugh or story.   

Every year we would participate in the Town of Callander’s Canada Day Funfest with a display of vintage bikes.  Bert always seemed to attract the biggest crowd oohing and ahhing over his BSA Bantam.  We would joke around with Bert about all the grandma’s telling their grandchildren stories about motorcycle riding after the war.  He was always so proud of his bikes and judging by the ever-present smile he had as much fun as they did.  He took some good-natured ribbing from the guys about how he seemed to attract all these women, of course with a big smile.

Bert, now you will always enjoy great riding weather and whenever we catch a whiff of those little cigars you were so fond of; we will know you are near.