Pete Gagan Eulogy

A Tribute to a Life Well Lived

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Peter “Pete” Gagan on October 19th, 2024.

Pete Gagan rode through life to the sound of his own bikes. Born on Feb. 28th, 1940, Pete spent the early part of his life living in Toronto. It was at the age of 14 when he took his first motorcycle ride on a Vincent Rapide. After a week straight of trying to figure out how to start it, he finally got it fired up- and in his own words (taken from his writings amassed over the years): “The acceleration and sound of the Vincent was the most thrilling experience I’d had to date, and a taste of things to come during my life”. Thus began a lifelong obsessive fascination with mechanical things, which focused at an early age on old motor vehicles with two, three, and four wheels. This passion guided him for the next 70 years, and all who met him would recognize him as a true motorhead.

This love of all things motorized- whether it be gasoline powered or steam driven- took him all over Europe and North America, where he was loved and respected by his fellow enthusiasts. Over the years, Pete owned and rode hundreds of bikes and cars, each with a story and history that he could regale in great detail to anyone that asked. His passion for the restoration, preservation, and performance of these vintage machines was unparalleled. The ever-evolving collection included Brough Superiors, Nortons, Ariels, Indians, a Vincent, a Cord, a Ferrari, a Porsche, and a Morgan three-wheeler, just to name a few. He rode them in England, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Latvia, Greece, Italy and all across Canada and the USA. He rode a testimonial lap of honour at the Isle of Man TT aboard a 1962 Manx Norton. He let his kids ride the Francis Barnett on the beach in Mexico. He let them race the 500 Manx Norton and the Factory Works Yamaha TR350 at places like Westwood and Portland International raceways. He kept the stoke of the old iron alive, figuring out things like magnetos and old carbide lamps, sourcing parts before the internet was a thing, and rebuilding motors, welding frames, and machining “missing bits”. And whenever queried about the value of his collection, the answer was always ‘3 cents a pound’.

Pete was a source of information for hundreds of collectors the world over. His uncanny knowledge of production years, makes, models, manufacturing sites and history was second to none. He revived a steam bike and an old White steam car. These activities and focus often got in the way of other simple tasks, and there was more than one occasion where things like water, food or shelter (say a tent at the track) were forgotten in anticipation of the day's motorcycle events. One could say he was somewhat of an absent minded professor with a Ph. D. in vintage machines.

People gravitated toward Pete to garner knowledge and hear stories from him. A wonderful writer and storyteller, he was never one to disappoint. He self published an historical novel, ‘The Legend of Fireball Fleming’, which documented a fictional character growing up in the golden age of iron and motorcycle racing.. He met famous people over the years, but he was never starstruck. If they were younger than Ginger Rogers or Fred Astaire, he probably didn’t know who they were. They were just people that were interested in old iron and the history and stories the machines told. And that is how he spoke with them. Pete served on the board of three US motorcycle museums, including a role as curator for the Guggenheim’s “Art of the Motorcycle” exhibition in New York and Las Vegas. Of course, two of his 19th century steam powered motorcycles were featured in the exhibit, which made for excellent fodder when discussing fine art. He served as president of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America for 6 years and was the founding member, in 1968, of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group. He was an early adopter of the internet and produced a few shows called “Pete’s Garage” where he would ride and report on different vintage machines, mostly his own. A quick YouTube search of ‘Pete’s Garage’ is where you’ll find those gems, preserved for all of us to enjoy. He did so with the help of his friends and fellow enthusiasts. He was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2018.

A successful entrepreneur, Pete manufactured asphalt emulsions in Alberta and was instrumental in furthering the road maintenance industry in the province of British Columbia. After selling his company in Alberta, he moved the family to White Rock in 1979 and did so by convincing his employer at the time (a US company) that it indeed was the geographical centre of Canada. It wasn’t long before he realized there was a greater opportunity in contracting and began his own business again, which continues to be successful to this day.

Pete and Mary Jane Gagan were married in August 1964. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage by not buying anything for one another because they “didn’t need anymore stuff.” He is survived by his wife Mary Jane, their two boys Geoff (Janet) and Chris (Jane), and grandchildren Max, Finley, Molly and Mats.

As a tribute to a life well lived, the family is planning to host a motorcycle ride and celebration of life for Pete on Sunday May 25th , 2025 in Qualicum Beach, BC. We will meet at Serious Coffee at the “usual time” (10am) and this will be followed up by an open house (and garage) at 577 Rye Road in Qualicum Beach to celebrate Pete and the extraordinary life he lived.

All are welcome to join us. Details to follow closer to the date, but please send your email addresses to PetesRideQualicum@gmail.com and we will make sure you are kept informed. In the meantime, please add your comment on this post with your favourite Pete story- we love to read them and his memory will live on through the lives he touched. We were so blessed to have him in our lives. Rest in Peace.

Charles Peter Gagan

February 28th, 1940 - October 19th, 2024

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Pete’s name to ‘Dying with Dignity Canada’.

Chris

CVMG Vancouver Section