| Author | Message | ||
     Sportyeric |
Yesterday I attended the memorial ride for the man whose name is on one of the best Harley and Buell dealerships in the world. The following tribute I have taken the liberty of copying from a card handed out at a memorial service that was attended by 3000 motorcyclists. Trev Deeley March 15, 1920- March 28, 2002 Celebration of a Life Well-Lived Trevor Fredrick Deeley 'Trev' died at his home in North Saanich, BC. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Joyce, and his parents, Fredrick and Islay; Trev is survived by his daughter, Dawne Elizabeth, and his Persian cat, Tiffany. To say that Trev loved motorcycles would be a gross understatement. He raced, rode, repaired, collected, customized, sold, distributed, and talked about motorcycles-all of the time. During the Forties and early Fifties, Trev dominated the sport of motorcycle racing during a fifteen year racing career. He became a factory rider for Harley Davidson, carrying American Motorcycle Association National No. 22 to many victories and track records throughout Canada and the U.S. He was the first Canadian to carry an AMA expert plate. Even after Trev retired from his own competitive career, he continued to support racing by turning his attention to sponsoring 'up and coming' motorcycle riders. Champions like Yvon Duhamel, Barry Sheen, Steve Baker, Jim Allen, and Pete Kellond, to name a few, all benefited from Trev's support early in their illustrious careers. He always encouraged both riders and their technicians to strive for victory. During the late Fifties, Sixties, and Seventies, Trev Deeley concentrated on the business side of motorcycles. In 1957, he was appointed the first Honda motorcycle distributor in the English speaking world and later went on to also distribute Yamaha motorcycles and snowmobiles. In 1973, Trev founded Fred Deeley Imports, Harley Davidson Distributors for Canada, with his partner, Don James, andtogether they developed the most respected motorcycle dealer network in the country. Trev cultivated other interests along the way, always with passion. He was an accomplished pilot of both fixed wing and helicopter. He was an also a yachtsman, recognized by his numerous "Cove Lady's" cruising BC coastal waters. Trev was a gifted orator who could be counted on to speak his mind. Never at a loss for words, his wry sense of humor and razor-sharp wit left many a person licking their wounds and scratching their head after a round with him. But motorcycles were the true fabric of his rich and multi-dimenional life, and throughout his long and illustirous career in the motorcycle industry, he continued to be a larger than life participant. From 1986 to 1991, Trev served on the board of directors at Harley Davidson, Inc. He was the first non-American to be invited to do so. Woven throughout his celebrated career were numerous acts of philanthropy, and over the years many organizations benefited from his foresight and largesse. He donated nearly a million dollars to build a Technical Training Centre at Fairview College in Alberta in 1993. That same year, he opened the Trev Deeley Motorcycle Collection in Richmond, B.C. He made generous contributions to various causes in his home community of Sidney, B.C., most notably the Saanich Penisula Hospital and then, with his wife, Joyce, Trev also donated $1 million to the "Daring to Believe" fund-raising campaign for the Vancouver Island Cancer Centre's research wing. In 1995, he was inducted into the Canadian Motor Sport Hall of Fame and in 1997, became the first Canadian recipient of the American Motorcycle Associations's prestigious Dudley Perkins Award- bestowed annually to one individual demonstrating an outstanding contribution to the sport. In 1998, Trev sponsored Team Deeley- the only Canadian contigient to set a land speed record at the 1998 Bonneville Speed Week. In 1999, he was inducted into the American Motorcycling Hall of Fame Museum in recognition of his outstanding contribution to all aspects of racing, distributorship and dealership. In 2000, he added the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame to his long list of honors. Hero, mentor, friend, competitor, enthusiast, advisor, business mogol, philanthropist- Trev was many things to many people, and his influence was incredibly far-reaching. Right up until the day he died, he remained a force for change at Harley-Davidson. His passing marks the end of an era. He leaves many friends in Maui, Indian Wells, Vancouver, and Victoria as well as numerous motorcycle associates throughout North America and around the world. We are all the richer for having had him in our lives and wish him Godspeed. He will be greatly missed. | ||
| X1glider |
That makes two well respected Canucks this year. I remember Walt Healy's farewell ride earlier this year. I didn't get to go to that one unfortunately. I had to settle for my girfriend telling me about it. | ||
| Ferris |
geez, i'm so effin' clueless, i had NOT heard of Trev's passing. i am really shocked and saddened. i had the honor of being in Mr. Deeley's presence on several occasions, and here are two quick memories. i was at the inaugural Arizona Bike Week some years back, competing in BattleTrax, when who should stroll up to the starting line area but Willie G. and Trev. cool! atho i was just about to head out on the course, i took a second to thrust a copy of SportBike USA in Trev's hands, and asked if he might like to join PACBOG. (pretty bold stuff on my part, what with Mr. Davidson standing right there and all..) Trev laughed and said "Sure! How much?" twenty-five dollars AMERICAN, i said, and Trev laughed again at my little poke at the disparity between the value of American and Canadian money. so he gives me a ten and a twenty (American :-). ok, i said, hang on a minute 'cause i'm just getting ready to compete, i'll get your change after i finish my run. "The hell you will," he said with an agressive little smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, "I'll take my change right now!" all the folks gathered around got a kick out of the deal and it was obvious that Mr. Deeley was having a litle fun at my expense. it was also obvious that he was serious. he, um, got his five bucks before i went out onto the course  | ||
| Ferris |
on one of the Border Raid runs up to Canada, we were just suiting up to ride up to Whistler after having spent a wonderful hour or so touring the Deeley Motorcycle Museum in Richmond, when a chauffeur-driven Bentley pulls up and Mr. Deeley steps out of the passenger side. well, we were all way buzzed to see him, but Trev started digging for a camera and took several group shots of the assembled Buelligans, equally buzzed to see (and hear) so many Buells gathered in one place. Mr. Deeley was many things, and that day he showed that he was just one of us. thank you, Trev. ride in peace, Ferris | ||
| Racerboy |
Eric, Bob and Ferris...Of course most of us know of Mr. Deeley's long term involvement with the importing of Harley's and Yamaha's and your personal touch, Ferris, I think gives us a little insight to one who while probably a very powerful person, sounds like he kept in touch with the rest of us...On the Buell side, wasn't he one of the first to open a stand alone Buell shop and become very successful with it?...I still think this is the best way to market this brand instead of glomming them together with what they are not...Mr Deeley apparently grasped this early on...Unlike the comment I once saw from a H-D executive who stated something to the effect the Buellers would, hopefully, eventually move UP to a Harley-Davidson...Matter of a fact, that was in the H-D annual report...Clueless, huh?... See Ya! Bob | ||
| Sportyeric |
The 1998 LSR mentioned in the tribute was, of course, a Buell. I don't remember the rider or team members. It got mentioned in the newspaper but didn't get much attention from us locals, unfortunately. |
