Phil B, John M & Nina P Cachuma Rally 2005
October 6, 2008 ~ John Mulrean passed away at 10AM today ending his long battle with cancer.
"Uncle Smoochie Bear" was cantankerous, grouchy and opinionated. He also was a helluva guy. John would give a fellow vintage bike person the shirt off his back. He was a major player in SDAMC for years back when Ellen and I joined in 1990. He was a heavy-lifter back in the old Del Mar days, quick to get his hands dirty. He was a good shadetree mechanic, eager to wrench for anyone with a problem. His knowledge of Brit bikes and his parts supply were endless. He and Donna worked tirelessly on the Cachuma Rally, a favorite project for him. Anyone that attended any of these NorCal events knew and respected his hard work and dedication.
Some folks leave a hole in life that will be difficult to fill. I might not always have agreed with John but it never stopped me from respecting him and I'll miss his powerful "lift-me-off-the-ground" bear hugs. Godspeed, "Uncle Smoochie." You will be missed and never replaced.
Sadly, Joe and Ellen Michaud
~ ~ ~ ~
Thanks Joe for letting us all know about John. What a sad day this is.
I will remember many things about John but his generosity reigns supreme. He seemed eager to provide whenever someone was in need. Whatever it was. Once he provided a trailer with a generator to an ex-racer who needed to hook up his dialysis machine. That was on a Yosemite Labor Day weekend a few yrs back.
I will miss his strong hug and great big smile too. I could always count on that.
Love and blessings to you John!
Nina Pacelli
~ ~ ~ ~
Well said Joe. Uncle Smoochie Bear was the only one that would go up in a bi-plane with me at the Gillespie Field air show. I will miss him... and that damned giant fish he carried around at Cachuma. I'll think about him every time I see a bi-plane or a big man on a Matchless. That's how I'll remember him - flogging that Matchless, with a grin on his face.
Cat Frazier
~ ~ ~ ~
John was a tireless worker, and a fine and generous man. He will be rememebred as an asset to the world.
Phil Boncer
~ ~ ~ ~
Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:08 pm
Hi everyone-
I'm not a chat room person, so hope this gets to the right place.
Please know I'm very touched by your comments about John aka Uncle Smoochie Bear . I guess I've been so busy with taking care of John and his loves of life, I just never realized much he was respected and loved. There are people coming from San Francisco, and the Santa Barbara area just to say good-bye to my Sweet Baboo - I'm stunned by the outpouring of emails, articles, phone calls, cards, flowers....... I'm doing OK. Like several of you, I'm missing his hugs and big smiles. Everyone tells me I'm strong and will be just fine eventually. Wish I had their crystal balls. I just remember he is out of pain at last. He was a doing person, and giving guy, and he hasn't been able to be there for his friends for much of the time these past years. That was such a hurt for him - not being able to help me and others. Thank you for reminding me of the impact he had on you.
Donna Jo M
October 6, 2008 ~ John Mulrean passed away at 10AM today ending his long battle with cancer.
"Uncle Smoochie Bear" was cantankerous, grouchy and opinionated. He also was a helluva guy. John would give a fellow vintage bike person the shirt off his back. He was a major player in SDAMC for years back when Ellen and I joined in 1990. He was a heavy-lifter back in the old Del Mar days, quick to get his hands dirty. He was a good shadetree mechanic, eager to wrench for anyone with a problem. His knowledge of Brit bikes and his parts supply were endless. He and Donna worked tirelessly on the Cachuma Rally, a favorite project for him. Anyone that attended any of these NorCal events knew and respected his hard work and dedication.
Some folks leave a hole in life that will be difficult to fill. I might not always have agreed with John but it never stopped me from respecting him and I'll miss his powerful "lift-me-off-the-ground" bear hugs. Godspeed, "Uncle Smoochie." You will be missed and never replaced.
Sadly, Joe and Ellen Michaud
~ ~ ~ ~
Thanks Joe for letting us all know about John. What a sad day this is.
I will remember many things about John but his generosity reigns supreme. He seemed eager to provide whenever someone was in need. Whatever it was. Once he provided a trailer with a generator to an ex-racer who needed to hook up his dialysis machine. That was on a Yosemite Labor Day weekend a few yrs back.
I will miss his strong hug and great big smile too. I could always count on that.
Love and blessings to you John!
Nina Pacelli
~ ~ ~ ~
Well said Joe. Uncle Smoochie Bear was the only one that would go up in a bi-plane with me at the Gillespie Field air show. I will miss him... and that damned giant fish he carried around at Cachuma. I'll think about him every time I see a bi-plane or a big man on a Matchless. That's how I'll remember him - flogging that Matchless, with a grin on his face.
Cat Frazier
~ ~ ~ ~
John was a tireless worker, and a fine and generous man. He will be rememebred as an asset to the world.
Phil Boncer
~ ~ ~ ~
Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:08 pm
Hi everyone-
I'm not a chat room person, so hope this gets to the right place.
Please know I'm very touched by your comments about John aka Uncle Smoochie Bear . I guess I've been so busy with taking care of John and his loves of life, I just never realized much he was respected and loved. There are people coming from San Francisco, and the Santa Barbara area just to say good-bye to my Sweet Baboo - I'm stunned by the outpouring of emails, articles, phone calls, cards, flowers....... I'm doing OK. Like several of you, I'm missing his hugs and big smiles. Everyone tells me I'm strong and will be just fine eventually. Wish I had their crystal balls. I just remember he is out of pain at last. He was a doing person, and giving guy, and he hasn't been able to be there for his friends for much of the time these past years. That was such a hurt for him - not being able to help me and others. Thank you for reminding me of the impact he had on you.
Donna Jo M
1 comment:
John was a tireless worker, and a fine and generous man. He will be rememebred as an asset to the world.
Post a Comment