R.I.P. Joe Yatras 06/26/14 (wog57 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?action=profile;u=2997))
wog57 bit the bitumen He's gone.
G'day all.
It is with sadness that I joined this forum just to pass on the news. Joe had an accident on the FJ last Sunday and was taken to Canberra Hospital. He passed away on Thursday morning.
Joe was a much loved character and a good friend to me and the SCMC.
RIP Joe.
Quote from: Muskrat on June 26, 2014, 02:56:20 PM
G'day all.
It is with sadness that I joined this forum just to pass on the news. Joe had an accident on the FJ last Sunday and was taken to Canberra Hospital. He passed away on Thursday morning.
Joe was a much loved character and a good friend to me and the SCMC.
RIP Joe.
This is very sad news. Joe was a valued member here and a good friend to those of us who met him through our rally over the past years. RIP the saviour of wallets.
Harvy
Sad news, prayers to his friends and family.
Quote from: Harvy on June 26, 2014, 03:07:13 PM
Quote from: Muskrat on June 26, 2014, 02:56:20 PM
G'day all.
It is with sadness that I joined this forum just to pass on the news. Joe had an accident on the FJ last Sunday and was taken to Canberra Hospital. He passed away on Thursday morning.
Joe was a much loved character and a good friend to me and the SCMC.
RIP Joe.
This is very sad news. Joe was a valued member here and a good friend to those of us who met him through our rally over the past years. RIP the saviour of wallets.
Harvy
Oh No!! ....I can`t believe it!...Such a great bloke!
I spent some time with Joe and his disabled Son at Nowra. (Sth Coast NSW).
Joe was totally dedicated to caring for those less fortunate throughout his community.....It`s because of Joe`s caring reputation, not any commercial interest, that he secured our major prize of a complete Motorcycle service kit for our last two Aussie Rallys.
I`m shattered. .... Rest in peace Joe, knowing you made a difference to so many lives you touched.
Terrible news,.very sad. RIP
Very sorry to read this. My condolences to family and friends.
Steve
No........ Such very sad news..... The time I spent talking and riding with you Joe will stay in my memory always.
May the sun be to your back and the roads a joy now that you are free.
Cheers Mate.
JJJeeeezzz wasn't expecting that news, I had to post the loss of a Mate on the Vintage Japanese web site, he was also a character similar to Joe, :cray:
Will miss him at the rallies, which gives me the idea for a name for our next rally.
The 2015 FJ owners WOG57 Rally, in memory of Joe.
Quote from: megsy on June 26, 2014, 05:05:43 PM
The 2015 FJ owners WOG57 Rally, in memory of Joe.
I feel the same and so do others......So it shall be....
I spoke to Gaynor (Joe`s wife) and she is absolutely delighted and moved, following the news of naming the 2015 Rally in his memory. She even mentioned that he also loved being called "Wog" and told me some stories to reinforce the character we know.
Joe use to own a large Glazier business in Wollongong and decided to move to Nowra to assist Dillon with his Asthma. Joe had a bike accident some years ago that affected his physical ability to run the business, so he had to close it down. Doctors recommended he take up a hobby, so Joe followed orders and took up more motorcycling to keep him occupied.
I passed on condolences from our group, also to his daughter Elizabeth, & sons Dillon & Etham.
Funeral date to be confirmed.
So sorry to hear this. I am not sure if I met Joe at the rally or even if he was there but it sounds like he was much loved by everyone
I didn't know him but RIP fellow aussie fj rider.
What a terrible loss. :-( Joe was a great guy.
I met up and had a ride with Pete and Pete earlier this week
and had expected Joe to be riding with them on their trip.
I'll miss him and his eagle eyes.
Arnie
Just had a call from Xray to tell me the news, very sad news, to all who met Joe loved his quirkiness quick witted humour delivered so dryly will be greatly missed :-(
Baldy
This is always so hard to hear...My condolences to his friends and family...he was clearly loved and will be missed.
Does anyone have a picture of Joe they could post?
Joe always wanted to go the long way.
Quote from: Capn Ron on June 27, 2014, 12:35:12 AM
This is always so hard to hear...My condolences to his friends and family...he was clearly loved and will be missed.
Does anyone have a picture of Joe they could post?
Joe & Dillon @ their favourite Bike Shop in Nowra.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/7/630_27_06_14_3_33_37.jpeg)
It's always hard to hear of a biker going down, even worse when it's so close to home, condolences to all his family and friends.
What shocking news this is! Only last week, I'd sent an email to Joe, to invite him on an annual ride that we do. I hadn't received a rely, which I thought at the time very unusual, as Joe was always one of the first to do so. He was always very keen to participate in any ride we invited him on and was a great bloke to have along with us. Joe and I had spent many miles on the road together and he will be greatly missed by me and all the others that had the privilege of spending time with him. His devotion to caring for his disabled son touched me deeply. He often told me how he looked forward to the day that they could ride bikes together, so I sincerely hope that they got that opportunity.
Naming next years FJ Rally in his honour is a great tribute to a man who loved his FJ and attending rallies and rides on it. He is a character and true friend that I will never forget. Rest in Peace Joe. Lots of memories and regards, your old riding buddy, Pete.
I still have a bit of a "jolt" moment as I have all day after being told about this, still can't get my head around this happening. Sorry I didn't get to talk to you more at Jindabyne Joe........
I was talking to Stu today, discussing his near miss and now this, plus whats happened recently to Randys own, and others, its all extremely depressing.
Wonderful Memories http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7648.msg82810#msg82810 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7648.msg82810#msg82810)
More Pics:-
Joe & Arnie on the way to Bellingen 2013
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/7/630_27_06_14_4_16_13.jpeg)
Joe & Tony Jindabyne 2014
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/7/630_27_06_14_4_22_21.jpeg)
It is very sad to hear another motorcyclist is no longer with us, I hope his family are managing as best that can be expected with such sad news. Everyone take it easy out there, especially with the wet roads and high winds.
Gareth
Quote from: Muskrat on June 26, 2014, 02:56:20 PM
G'day all.
It is with sadness that I joined this forum just to pass on the news. Joe had an accident on the FJ last Sunday and was taken to Canberra Hospital. He passed away on Thursday morning.
Joe was a much loved character and a good friend to me and the SCMC.
RIP Joe.
I met Joe at the 2014 Rally, so only knew him a short time. I am shocked to hear this sad news as I found him to a genuine good bloke.
To Joe's Wife and Family, I am truely sorry for your loss.To My FJ Mates, I'm sorry that we have lost a great friend and fellow rider.
R.I.P. Joe.
My dear wife has found a short article in the Canberra Times, pretty sure this is referring to Joe. Still doesn't seem real that we are talking about Joe as being gone, he should still be here with us and at next years rally. :sorry:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/man-dies-in-hospital-after-motorbike-crash-in-gundaroo-20140626-zsnhb.html (http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/man-dies-in-hospital-after-motorbike-crash-in-gundaroo-20140626-zsnhb.html)
Quote from: X-Ray on June 27, 2014, 10:09:39 PM
My dear wife has found a short article in the Canberra Times, pretty sure this is referring to Joe. Still doesn't seem real that we are talking about Joe as being gone, he should still be here with us and at next years rally. :sorry:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/man-dies-in-hospital-after-motorbike-crash-in-gundaroo-20140626-zsnhb.html (http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/man-dies-in-hospital-after-motorbike-crash-in-gundaroo-20140626-zsnhb.html)
On a road least travelled, the long way around....The way ta go.
I'd like to extend my sorrow and sadness to all that knew Joe personally, as well as his family.
He was far to young to pass on.
God Speed Joe!
Leon
As with everyone, I'm sad to hear of Joe's passing. Our thoughts too are for his family.
It's a sad day when we lose a FJ rider. Sounds like he was a special man. God speed. Big R
Noooooooo :cray: :cray: Not Joe !!! Noooooooooo ...... :cray: :cray: :cray: :cray: :cray: :cray: Man.....I .......can't believe it........... One of the few people you meet in life and love right away.....a genuine man who made you feel like you were his friend from the second you met. I will miss you my brother.....man....I can't fight these tears....I'm at a loss for words.....I can't believe it.........
(http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u517/photocandman/mqdefault_zps4514425f.jpg)
"Say it's alright Joe"-Genesis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osqpoDyu7A4&feature=player_embedded (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osqpoDyu7A4&feature=player_embedded)
God Bless you Joe......we'll meet again some day I am sure !!! :cray:
Quote from: CanDman on June 28, 2014, 10:15:18 AM
Noooooooo :cray: :cray: Not Joe !!! Noooooooooo ...... :cray: :cray: :cray: :cray: :cray: :cray: Man.....I .......can't believe it........... One of the few people you meet in life and love right away.....a genuine man who made you feel like you were his friend from the second you met. I will miss you my brother.....man....I can't fight these tears....I'm at a loss for words.....I can't believe it.........
(http://i1071.photobucket.com/albums/u517/photocandman/mqdefault_zps4514425f.jpg)
"Say it's alright Joe"-Genesis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osqpoDyu7A4&feature=player_embedded (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osqpoDyu7A4&feature=player_embedded)
God Bless you Joe......we'll meet again some day I am sure !!! :cray:
Say it's alright Joe,
I need another drink
To blow on the glass so I know I'm alive
Play me a song Joe
To fill the hours till morning
Then never again will I bother you
Ooh, build myself a tower
No way in no way out.
Then my friends can visit me
Once in a while.
Say it's alright Joe.
I need some reassurance
You never know what you might find in the night.
Ooh I'm just a busy bee, still alone in my hive,
I'm looking for some other world
To dream out my dreams.
There were kings who were laughing in the rain
And they told me I'd come here to lead the parade
All the colors were changing, the sky was in ruins
The lights are all shining on me and on you
Shine on
Say it's alright Joe
The night will soon be over
And nothing and no one will ever know.
Open my eyes Joe
I'd like to see the daylight
The clock on the wall says it's time to leave.
Never seen the same face twice
Never walked the same way
The little love that I have known
I keep to myself.
If there's a fire it's asleep in my bed
I must leave it to burn until it burns itself out
Catch as you can I'm not staying here long
I'll be coming back early or never at all
Shine on
Sad news, I was glad to be able to meet him earlier this year.
I read another news article that stated he passed from a heart attack while in the hospital as a result of the accident; http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/2378674/campaigner-joe-yatras-dies-after-accident/ (http://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/2378674/campaigner-joe-yatras-dies-after-accident/)
A sad day indeed, you guys please hoist a beer in his honor for me at the Wog57 Rally.
Randy - RPM
Arnie, just gave me the news, bloody hell I'll miss this guy, what a lovely person he was. Not a good way to start the week.
Quote from: Harvy on June 26, 2014, 03:07:13 PM
Quote from: Muskrat on June 26, 2014, 02:56:20 PM
G'day all.
It is with sadness that I joined this forum just to pass on the news. Joe had an accident on the FJ last Sunday and was taken to Canberra Hospital. He passed away on Thursday morning.
Joe was a much loved character and a good friend to me and the SCMC.
RIP Joe.
This is very sad news. Joe was a valued member here and a good friend to those of us who met him through our rally over the past years. RIP the saviour of wallets.
Harvy
Just in case someone didn't understand the wallet line, Joe found my wallet after it dropped out of my open tank bag in the middle of a curved road. Bloody hell I'll miss him, as Pete stated naming the next rally after him would be great. RIDE safe all, we don't want more of these notices.
Joe Yatras' funeral will be on Thursday, 3rd of July at Worrigee Chapel at 1.30pm
Club member's will meet at 12noon
Murphy Funerals
85 Plunkett St, Nowra
to form a guard of honour
Thanks for that small article Randy, even though not many words it just spoke volumes about Joes standing in the community.
Dammit, it said he was recovering when he had a heart attack, I'm bloody sadder than ever now. :sorry:
With great sadness I have been following along in this notice. I didn't know Joe but in reading through the posts in some ways I am meeting Joe. He sounds like a was great person to call a friend. Please except my sincere condolences.
George
Good that the community has a network for these sad occasions. I wrote a pm to one of your chaps, a Qld'er, hoping he would pass on the info re the funeral details etc. Also if anyone wants to see a whole lot of Joe pic's and the links to news stories of him, feel free to 'friend' me on f/book, this enables me to invite you to the DOCNSW instance where the material is viewable etc, and to share the pictures.
Hoping to say 'gday' on Thursday to some FJ'ers as Joe, "Hopping Joe" to us, loved his former racing single cylinder Duke, but was that bloody keen on his (FJ) bike, and also the development and well being of the FJ rally etc. A true riding brother, a committed motorcyclist, a sorely missed friend of nearly 40 years..... :dash2: ride safe, aunty mal.
I just heard from The General that the FJ rally in 2015 is going to be named WOG57 in his honour. What a tribute to a great man and rider. I was the last friend Joe spoke to and was on the ride with him that fateful Sunday. If I could change the outcome I would give anything to do that but curiously I have no regrets about anything other than the outcome. We did all we could for him as mates do and the Canberra hospital also did a great job and Joe was very happy with them. The last thing we spoke about Wednesday night was a track day I was going on at Eastern Ck Sunday. He asked me to take lots of photos to show him. He and all of us expected him to walk out of hospital once they fixed him up. The only obvious damage from the low speed slide were broken ribs (which hurt like the dickens) but at first we thought he might have had spinal or leg injuries so the ambos took no chances. I met Joe through Aunty Mal who posted below. We have all lost a great mate. I'll be trying very hard to get to the rally next year for Joe Wog.
A very sad day for me, sending off a good mate and riding buddy. We will all miss him in our own way, for me it's not having him fill my mirrors with that big Yamie headlight.
The weather couldn't have been any more perfect. About 15 SCMC members gathered at Murphy's car park and another 30 from the DOC and FJ clubs in the street, to ride with Joe on his last trip. I was honored the position of lead bike. Along the way I thought "what are you doing here? It should be Ethan wearing Joe's cut off!". My biggest fear was taking a wrong turn (Joe always liked going the long way). Well I did it didn't I. Upon entering the grounds I went left instead of right and Joe had to wait till I did a quick Uee. :oops:
About 150 family and friends were there waiting, a testament to how loved he was. The service was as Joe would have wanted, not too much religious content, and everyone talking about him! We all listened to his favorite Iggy Pop song together for the last time.
Well he's off riding Dukes and FJ's forever now and when your riding think of Joe and he'll be there cranking the bends with you.
Cheers.
Hi all
Just got back from Joes service what a great turn out.
I think you find out more about a person after they have died than when they are alive.
He was an amazing person.
I said goodbye for everybody.
Tony (roach)
Thanks for keeping us in touch. I also received a report saying what a great day it was with around 60 bikes in attendance incl representation from the Shoalhaven Classic Club and Ducati owners clubs. (both NSW & Canberra chapters).
It was standing room only and the renaming of our 2015 FJ Rally was broadcast, along with mention of a large bound Book on display from our group. (One of his mates had copied each and every post incl pics on this topic from this site. Printed and bound in tribute to Joe`s popularity, influence and love of his FJ.)
Speeches were limited to a max of 3 minutes and even the Lord Mayor broke down as he described the life of his friend and the loss to his community.
Expect some Italian bred steeds at Grafton in March. (Joe will be there too me thinks!)
Unfortunately I was unable to attend the service today but Joe has been in my thoughts for a week now and especially today. He was a great bloke to ride with, nothing was too much trouble for him and he would bend over backwards to help you. I had a beer or two with Alf tonight ( he also knew Joe and had a high opinion of him) and we spent a lot of time talking about him and also toasting him on several occasions. He will be greatly missed on our rides. Pete.
P.S Thanks to his good mates from the Shoalhaven Club for keeping us up to date with the details of the funeral etc. A special thanks to Aunty Mal, whom I met on the Mudgee ride last year. (towel)
Oh man........ so sad :sorry:
Haven't been on the forum for awhile.Normally the forum cheers me up.
I had the pleasure of riding with Joe on part the way back home from the 2014 30Th anniversary Australian FJ Rally with Joe in the lead......
I'm sure he was politely slowing up for me as I like to just cruise at the speed limit......
Until another bike flew past me and rudely pulled in front of Joe...
Of they went into the distance.
Joe was a truly lovely and inspirational man.
His dedication and passion for helping the disabled and carers speaks volumes.
My heart feels broken,like when my Dad passed away last year.
My Dad spent many years engineering things for TAD (Technical Aid for the Disabled)
I hope they are both in Heaven having a beer.
My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
RIP Joe.
Jeff P