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| Bob Guzzo 1940-2007 |
| Ottawa Section CVMG |
Bob Guzzo passed away on September 16th, following a brief illness. This page is dedicated to Bob's memory
and the good times and spirits he brought to Motorcycling in Canada.
.
and the good times and spirits he brought to Motorcycling in Canada.
.
Bob Guzzo - CVMG Ottawa Section Charter member, CVMG Life Member -
he personally owned about 250 motorcycles, has been a racer on Gold Stars
and other exotica, as well as various Italian and Spanish bikes. He was a
dealer, and still dabbled in the odd sale until his final days. He was a certified
old bike valuer - with emphasis on the certified (joking).
he personally owned about 250 motorcycles, has been a racer on Gold Stars
and other exotica, as well as various Italian and Spanish bikes. He was a
dealer, and still dabbled in the odd sale until his final days. He was a certified
old bike valuer - with emphasis on the certified (joking).
Bob, Stan Johnson, and one of Bob's
best friends, the late Ken Grenzowski.
Ken was also a lifelong keen
motorcycle enthusiast, taken too young
David Makin
best friends, the late Ken Grenzowski.
Ken was also a lifelong keen
motorcycle enthusiast, taken too young
David Makin
Dear Bob,
I know you will get the message - I
respected you when we were joking
back and forth and you gave
as good as you got - maybe more! To
your family I express my great
sympathy to you and wish you the
best for the future - We will remember
him in the best of our memories!
Chris Bryant
I know you will get the message - I
respected you when we were joking
back and forth and you gave
as good as you got - maybe more! To
your family I express my great
sympathy to you and wish you the
best for the future - We will remember
him in the best of our memories!
Chris Bryant
Although I am new to this
club. I am saddened by the
loss of any
member. I met Bob a
couple of times (I believe
he was at the home of
a member who passed
away in July).
I wish to express my
condolences to his family.
Glen Marchand
club. I am saddened by the
loss of any
member. I met Bob a
couple of times (I believe
he was at the home of
a member who passed
away in July).
I wish to express my
condolences to his family.
Glen Marchand
I am so sad and surprised. Bob was
such an amazing character.
David Craib
such an amazing character.
David Craib
When I joined the Ottawa CVMG
Section in 1988 to ride the vintage
trials, it is Bob that introduced me to
the group and made mee feel one of
the guys. I think Bob never excluded
anyone and he was more like a
magnet. Through him I got one of my
first projects: a 1971 BSA Victor 250
basket case. He already had a
backyard full of bikes. He went from
Cubs to Ducatis to Bultacos. Some
years later, we had a great time driving
to Mid-Ohio with Leighton Brown and
Ken Grenzowski, did I get picked on!
But then you pick on the people you
like. It was always in good fun. Thanks
Bob.
He's not gone, he's just absent for the
moment.
Yves
Section in 1988 to ride the vintage
trials, it is Bob that introduced me to
the group and made mee feel one of
the guys. I think Bob never excluded
anyone and he was more like a
magnet. Through him I got one of my
first projects: a 1971 BSA Victor 250
basket case. He already had a
backyard full of bikes. He went from
Cubs to Ducatis to Bultacos. Some
years later, we had a great time driving
to Mid-Ohio with Leighton Brown and
Ken Grenzowski, did I get picked on!
But then you pick on the people you
like. It was always in good fun. Thanks
Bob.
He's not gone, he's just absent for the
moment.
Yves
Friends come and go. Good
friends are forever.
For almost 50 years Bob
Guzzo THE RED DEVIL and I
were the best of friends.
Goodbye Bob. Thanks for the
memories, the good times and
the rides we've done over the
years. Breakfast at Local
Heroes will never be the same
without you.
Your good friend,
Fred Kolman
friends are forever.
For almost 50 years Bob
Guzzo THE RED DEVIL and I
were the best of friends.
Goodbye Bob. Thanks for the
memories, the good times and
the rides we've done over the
years. Breakfast at Local
Heroes will never be the same
without you.
Your good friend,
Fred Kolman
It is with shock and deep sadness that
I've learned of Bob's passing.
It seems a bit ironic that I'm in Cape
Breton, enjoying the beautiful Cabot
Trail at this time, with lovely memories
of the trip here in 1997 with Bob
leading our merry band of bikers fresh
in my mind.
Bob has been a special friend for over
40 years and we have had too many
adventures to even begin to relate.
Bob was the most enthusiastic
motorcycle fan I've ever met and his
love of anything related to two wheels
was extremely infectous. If it
can be done on a motorcycle Bob did
it, if it couldn't be done on a motorcycle
Bob probably tried to do it anyways!
Bob and I have ridden BMWs,
Vincents, Goldstars,Triumphs, Rockets,
Greeves, Harleys,and even mopeds
together over the years and regardless
of the bike in question, Bob loved
every moment.
Bob's 350 Morini Sport was his "best
fit" bike and this is the bike I'll always
remember him enjoying. They really
understood each other! Bob's love of
bikes was only exceeded by his love of
his family and he was a model here for
all of us.
Bob has been with me every day of this
beautiful trip and will be forever!
He was a wonderful friend to a huge
group of people and he will be greatly
missed by everyone who knew him and
loved him.
Thanks for a great friendship Bobby!
Leighton
I've learned of Bob's passing.
It seems a bit ironic that I'm in Cape
Breton, enjoying the beautiful Cabot
Trail at this time, with lovely memories
of the trip here in 1997 with Bob
leading our merry band of bikers fresh
in my mind.
Bob has been a special friend for over
40 years and we have had too many
adventures to even begin to relate.
Bob was the most enthusiastic
motorcycle fan I've ever met and his
love of anything related to two wheels
was extremely infectous. If it
can be done on a motorcycle Bob did
it, if it couldn't be done on a motorcycle
Bob probably tried to do it anyways!
Bob and I have ridden BMWs,
Vincents, Goldstars,Triumphs, Rockets,
Greeves, Harleys,and even mopeds
together over the years and regardless
of the bike in question, Bob loved
every moment.
Bob's 350 Morini Sport was his "best
fit" bike and this is the bike I'll always
remember him enjoying. They really
understood each other! Bob's love of
bikes was only exceeded by his love of
his family and he was a model here for
all of us.
Bob has been with me every day of this
beautiful trip and will be forever!
He was a wonderful friend to a huge
group of people and he will be greatly
missed by everyone who knew him and
loved him.
Thanks for a great friendship Bobby!
Leighton
Peter Salter CVMG President writes:
I was hoping to be able to get to the
visitation for Bob with at least one
other Executive member today, but that
will not be possible. Based on a
survey of the Executive Committee, I
have instructed John Cooper to
forward a cheque in the amount of
$100 to the Heart Institute in Bob's
memory and I shall be sending a
sympathy card on behalf of the
Executive to his widow and family.
Peter
I was hoping to be able to get to the
visitation for Bob with at least one
other Executive member today, but that
will not be possible. Based on a
survey of the Executive Committee, I
have instructed John Cooper to
forward a cheque in the amount of
$100 to the Heart Institute in Bob's
memory and I shall be sending a
sympathy card on behalf of the
Executive to his widow and family.
Peter
Variety is the spice of life,
and it is the variety of helpfull
and wise members in our
group that make it a success.
Sometimes a member stands
out, and Bob Guzzo stood
out in a dramatic way. The
Humour, kindness and all
round good fellowship Bob
gave us cannot be replaced
by one person.
Bob was the spice in the
Ottawa chapter. Ottawa and
Canada is bland without him.
Bryan Baker.
and it is the variety of helpfull
and wise members in our
group that make it a success.
Sometimes a member stands
out, and Bob Guzzo stood
out in a dramatic way. The
Humour, kindness and all
round good fellowship Bob
gave us cannot be replaced
by one person.
Bob was the spice in the
Ottawa chapter. Ottawa and
Canada is bland without him.
Bryan Baker.
Bob Guzzo personified our CVMG
section, and set our example for what
it means to be a club member and a
true friend.
Bob was one of those rare people
who always saw the good, and
brought out the best. He imparted a
cheerful and positive influence in
anything he did. An easy and
genuine manner instantly put people
at ease, and drew those around him
closer. He was such a great person
to be with, that we all made the
mistake of thinking he would be with
us for ever.
Our loss is Heaven's gain, but Bob's
untimely departure means that we
can look forward to the here-after as
a much happier place.
Dear friend, we will miss you greatly.
Gregg Kricorissian
section, and set our example for what
it means to be a club member and a
true friend.
Bob was one of those rare people
who always saw the good, and
brought out the best. He imparted a
cheerful and positive influence in
anything he did. An easy and
genuine manner instantly put people
at ease, and drew those around him
closer. He was such a great person
to be with, that we all made the
mistake of thinking he would be with
us for ever.
Our loss is Heaven's gain, but Bob's
untimely departure means that we
can look forward to the here-after as
a much happier place.
Dear friend, we will miss you greatly.
Gregg Kricorissian
Cornwall, Ont. Nov. 1957 (L to R) Bob, Brian Taylor, John Ferguson, Art Emery,
Don McCredie, Trevor Wilkinson, Charley, Jim Day
Don McCredie, Trevor Wilkinson, Charley, Jim Day
I took some pictures at a Ottawa chapter 2003 Christmas party a few years back shown here.
Bob had organized this particular party and had a great time hosting it at a very nice Italian restaurant on Preston
Street.
Bob always made time for people and always enjoyed being envolved in motorcycle activities. His stories from years
ago will be with us forever.
Our condolences to the Guzzo family. We will miss the "Man in red."
Doug and Donna Smith
Bob had organized this particular party and had a great time hosting it at a very nice Italian restaurant on Preston
Street.
Bob always made time for people and always enjoyed being envolved in motorcycle activities. His stories from years
ago will be with us forever.
Our condolences to the Guzzo family. We will miss the "Man in red."
Doug and Donna Smith
Our monthly lunches here at our home, will be missing a very
humorous and thoughtful member, "Bob"!
It was a very special gathering yesterday, but We're sure Bob was
there with us reminiscing.
To all the family, you will know Bob will always have a place in our
hearts.
Paul & Ellen Noiseux
humorous and thoughtful member, "Bob"!
It was a very special gathering yesterday, but We're sure Bob was
there with us reminiscing.
To all the family, you will know Bob will always have a place in our
hearts.
Paul & Ellen Noiseux
Please add my name to the list of
CVMG members sending their
condolences.
George E. Mayer
CVMG members sending their
condolences.
George E. Mayer
Bob worked at my Dad’s Texaco service station around 1956 as a teenager. I didn’t know him at that time since I
wasn’t allowed to go there alone because unsavoury girls hung around service stations. Looking back today and
knowing the one and only Bob, I think he went to work there because of the Fire Chief Gasoline promotion when
Texaco was giving out the sticky red lollipops and fire chief hats.
I first met Bob when I got out of the hospital halfway through September 1967 after a motorcycle accident in
August. My parents were horrified that I still wanted to ride after being in a coma and insisted I get a smaller
motorbike. I was mesmerized by the Velocette stories in Cycle World. The folks grudgingly took me to the Velocette
dealer on Catherine Street. There, glowing in black and gold on the shop floor was the Velocette, fresh out of the
crate. This was the bike of my Cycle World dreams. The bearish and big talking owner lunged over to wring my hand
and explain the wonders of this beauty. He was like a carnival barker, hawking his wares. I was still shaky and
nervous from my hospital experience and getting more so. I decided the next day that I would never even be able to
start or service such a machine and took the easy way out by going down to the Triumph dealer. My initial
impression of that Velocette dealer was quite wrong, as time proved. His name had not registered with me at the time
but he was none other than Bob Guzzo. I only learned in recent times that he would back up every sale with his
personal touch and that included going over to a customer’s house late at night and starting his Velocette when it
proved too much for the owner.
In 2000, I bought the Velocette I had turned my back on years before and I needed advice. I joined the CVMG and
that’s when I got to know Bob. He would hammer me when I had trouble starting the bike and go on a harangue
against limey motorcycles and limeys in general. He could dish it out all right but he could also take it. It was a rare
treat to get the better of him. We showed no mercy to him the day we had to push start his Aermacchi.
Sunday morning breakfasts were rarely missed by Bob and he would sooner show up on two wheels than four. Many
times, he’d be the only one who would show up on a motorbike. He had a lifelong love affair with motorcycles, riding
and racing. His preferred machines were Ducatis, Moto Morinis, Bennellis and Aermacchis, all of them Italian
Stallions. One of his favourite adversaries called him the Italian Sausage.
When I was stuck at home after surgery, he invited me to go over to Sauvés Harley Davidson Motorcycle shop in
Potsdam on one of his frequent trips there. Other times, he’d take me with him while he did motorcycle appraisals
around the Valley. It was Bob who drove me down to Oakville in his van when I bought the Triumph T 110 and
hauled it back home on his trailer. He gave me discounts on the appraisals he did for me. He was the one who would
lend his trailer to pick up stranded club members on the highway.
Bob was a booming, brassy and loveable individual with a heart of gold who made all our lives a little better for
having known him.
Don Cutts.
wasn’t allowed to go there alone because unsavoury girls hung around service stations. Looking back today and
knowing the one and only Bob, I think he went to work there because of the Fire Chief Gasoline promotion when
Texaco was giving out the sticky red lollipops and fire chief hats.
I first met Bob when I got out of the hospital halfway through September 1967 after a motorcycle accident in
August. My parents were horrified that I still wanted to ride after being in a coma and insisted I get a smaller
motorbike. I was mesmerized by the Velocette stories in Cycle World. The folks grudgingly took me to the Velocette
dealer on Catherine Street. There, glowing in black and gold on the shop floor was the Velocette, fresh out of the
crate. This was the bike of my Cycle World dreams. The bearish and big talking owner lunged over to wring my hand
and explain the wonders of this beauty. He was like a carnival barker, hawking his wares. I was still shaky and
nervous from my hospital experience and getting more so. I decided the next day that I would never even be able to
start or service such a machine and took the easy way out by going down to the Triumph dealer. My initial
impression of that Velocette dealer was quite wrong, as time proved. His name had not registered with me at the time
but he was none other than Bob Guzzo. I only learned in recent times that he would back up every sale with his
personal touch and that included going over to a customer’s house late at night and starting his Velocette when it
proved too much for the owner.
In 2000, I bought the Velocette I had turned my back on years before and I needed advice. I joined the CVMG and
that’s when I got to know Bob. He would hammer me when I had trouble starting the bike and go on a harangue
against limey motorcycles and limeys in general. He could dish it out all right but he could also take it. It was a rare
treat to get the better of him. We showed no mercy to him the day we had to push start his Aermacchi.
Sunday morning breakfasts were rarely missed by Bob and he would sooner show up on two wheels than four. Many
times, he’d be the only one who would show up on a motorbike. He had a lifelong love affair with motorcycles, riding
and racing. His preferred machines were Ducatis, Moto Morinis, Bennellis and Aermacchis, all of them Italian
Stallions. One of his favourite adversaries called him the Italian Sausage.
When I was stuck at home after surgery, he invited me to go over to Sauvés Harley Davidson Motorcycle shop in
Potsdam on one of his frequent trips there. Other times, he’d take me with him while he did motorcycle appraisals
around the Valley. It was Bob who drove me down to Oakville in his van when I bought the Triumph T 110 and
hauled it back home on his trailer. He gave me discounts on the appraisals he did for me. He was the one who would
lend his trailer to pick up stranded club members on the highway.
Bob was a booming, brassy and loveable individual with a heart of gold who made all our lives a little better for
having known him.
Don Cutts.