R.I.P. Joe Yatras 06/26/14 (Wog57)

[racerrad8]

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/

A sad day indeed, you guys please hoist a beer in his honor for me at the Wog57 Rally.

Randy - RPM

[Bozo]

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.

[Bozo]

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.

[Muskrat]

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

[X-Ray]

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. 

[movenon]

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

[auntymal]

    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..... ride safe, aunty mal.

[Munty]

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.   

[Muskrat]

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. 

[Roach]

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)

[The General]

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!)

[oldktmdude]

   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)

[flips]

Oh man........ so sad

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