The old Quinte Section has lost two great friends and fellow motorcyclists, Dave Hall, at the remarkable age of 91 and Rolf Petry who was 87.

Dave was a gentleman with a gentle demeanour who loved to laugh, even at his own jokes. He loved being with family and friends and was instrumental in the Quinte Section’s Annual Ameliasburgh Rally for 16 years, as a committee member and as the head chef for the corn roast.

Dave worked most of his career in the engineering department of Domtar Pulp and Paper, In his younger years, Dave loved to fly small private planes, one being his own International Republic Seabee. He was also a snowmobiler and hunter. We were so fortunate when Dave and Thian, his wife, settled in Brighton in 1994. Dave’s first motorcycle purchase in Brighton, was a mint 1972 Honda 550 four, but by 2008 he was ready for a brand new Suzuki 800, which he rode until about 4 years ago. Thian loved riding with him on her Suzuki Burgman 400.

Dave was married to his wife Thian for over 51 years. They have two children, Vivi Ann, and Erik, and are blessed with five grandchildren.

We will miss him dearly, but when we remember the many beautiful times we shared with Dave and Thian, over the years, it makes us smile. Dave, you were a treasure.

Rolf was born in Germany in 1934. He spent his youth there during WWII. It was a hard time and place to grow up, but it’s where his resilience developed.

After the war he eventually made his way to Canada in the early 50’s. He worked several jobs and then joined the workforce at GM in Oshawa working as a model maker, a trade he acquired in Germany.

Rolf was a motorcyclist from an early age. He had several bikes over the years and travelled extensively. He had ridden in every state of the U.S.A except Alaska and Hawaii and he had also ridden in every province in Canada.

We met Rolf when he joined the new, now defunct Quinte Section. He was a great guy to ride with and talk to because he always had good advice and stories. As part of Quinte, he often led the Rally rides and, for several years, organized the concours at the annual rally. Rolf was also an avid member of the Loonie Tic BMW Riding Group.

Rolf stopped riding a few years ago, but he regularly met with several of us for coffee to chat and talk of old times. After our last coffee together, Rolf went home, went into his workshop where he was with his trusty steed, an 1984 BMW R100 as he rode off into the sunset.

We will all miss you old buddy.

Write up provided by Gavin Hussey

and Joe McMullen