It was only a day or so ago that I wondered if bad news would come “in threes”. Specifically, we had heard that Ontario car builder Bill Snow had passed and then, suddenly, Jason Challlice – son of Gary Challice. I hoped not but, alas, it has. Yesterday, on Good Friday (you’re in good company bud), we lost our good friend Dave Roy aka “Davey Joe”. I don’t plan on eulogizing Dave here (you can read what his friends are saying HERE). I simply want to share a few thoughts.
About His Sense of Humour
I don’t have to tell you that Dave had a terrific sense of humour. You have to know that someone who used as his avatar a photo of Tommy Chong in character had an interesting sense of humour. I chuckled every time I saw that avatar. Being a prolific poster on the Canadian Rodder forum, his humour was everywhere and always spot-on.
About His Generosity
I’ve been told directly, and read about, many examples of DJ’s generosity. When we hear the word generosity, we tend to think about it in terms of giving tangible physical things or perhaps time and support. As I said, I’m aware that, in these ways, he was very generous. But he also had a generous spirit. I quote from my fourth Canadian Hot Rod Tour article:
“Upon arrival in Kamloops, we made our way directly to The Fortune Plaza. Wow, there were a ton of cars there and they were waiting for us. We were escorted through the crowd to the front of the restaurant where we were greeted warmly by our group and bunch of guys from the Canadian Rodder Forum. Neat stuff and I got another hug – from Davey Joe this time. Memorable moment of the day #3.” I was moved by this simple act of generosity and, of course, “comrodderie” as we call it around here. I had never met Dave or even talked on the phone yet he must have known I needed that hug.
The philosopher and writer Jean Jacques Rousseau said “When a man dies he clutches in his hands only that which he has given away during his lifetime.” There’s no way that Dave would have been able to clutch in his hands all that he gave to us.
We’ll miss you bud.
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well said Frank….he was a great guy…
Frank I tip my hat to you for this posting. We all shared some time with DJ some longer and some just a couple of days. But he touched every one of us in his own way.
Cheers and Beers little big man
PeterB
Couldn’t have said it better myself frank.He was my little buddy.He was always there for you.We going to miss you.Gods speed little buddy.
Thanks Frank nuff said I’m going to miss my little stops at his place de shop where I know every one was allways welcome.
Frank,we truly have lost a great friend.His generosity and humour will be missed by all of us.God speed ,Davey,god speed.Thank you ,Frank for posting this you couldn’t have said it any better.
What a wonderful tribute to an equally amazing person. I’m thankful he shared his journey with us. Well said Frank….
Clarke
Frank I never met the man but chatted with him on here frequently….True hot rodder until the end…A very nice tribute Frank
yep, sure will miss the gnome.
he was a great inspiration to me and our friends and will never be forgotten.
I had a good talk to Davey about my (his) car and what the plans were for it last weekend,he said make it reliable and drive the shit out of it.
I’m not gonna change that car much cause it was his dream,but I will drive the shit out of it when I get it back together.
Thanx for the good words about our friend, Frank.
Sincerely, Blacktopper Dana Hall.
Thanks Frank very well said, We will all miss Davey, I feel sure he would have liked us the celebrate his life and not mourn his passing but that is easier said than done.
Cheers and Beers to one of the greatest men I have had the pleasure of knowing, Davey Joe
Davey will be missed by the hot rod community in PG as he had a heart of gold. When talking to him last week on the e-mail sounded very chipper – Will be missed by many of us. Faewell my friend
It will feel very strange not hearing his Words of wisdom any longer at car events. A small man with a Huge Heart and infectious smile & grin. He was so upbeat when we talked on the phone last week about making Ashcroft in June. There will be many a tear and beer flowing.
What a sad time. I will miss Davey forever.
Thank you for the memory Dave, I will never forget the last weekend that Ray and I spent with you. Especially the drive to Salmon Valley to surprise Doug an
Gert at Dougs show and shine.It is a memory I will treasure forever. I didn’t know how to drive your special project (47 Ford panel I think). all I know is I was given a very big privledge, It was just you and I Dave and I will never forget it. Thank You Dave and Thanks to you Marion for being so generous with the time that you had left with him. You generously shared with us that precious time. Thank you again. We will miss him.
It was a sad day when Shelley and I heard about Dave`s passing.We will miss those stops in Hinton by Dave and the rodding buddies he went with all over to pick up projects.He was always in a great mood and happy to be alive God Bless You Dave and we`ll see you on the other side…
Some thoughts on Davey..
Davey was a was everyones friend; He taught us that A positive attitude may not solve every problem but it makes solving any problem a hell of a lot more fun…he was the kind of friend that stood by his friends when they needed somebody to be there. What is it that we will remember when we think of Davey It’s that Davey was always there at the right place and at the right time to Dig in and I think everyone who knew him well would agree with on this, his sense of humor right up to end.… This is not the time for us to grieve his death but it’s our time to celebrate his life so for this moment “Let us be silent that we may hear the spirit of God.” So long Davey… When we’re least expecting it, One day in some far off place, I will recognize your face, So I won’t say goodbye my friend, For you and I will meet again. Untill then Davey …keep your rubber on the road.. Our most sincere condolences to Daveys family and to his numerous friends …….Fatchuk & Diane ..St.Marys
I’ve known the “Sprout” since the late 60’s, we had good times and bad times but always in the party mood, and very crazy at times.Here’s a short true story…
We had been hunting grouse near his place on the powerline, we had our .22’s and had no luck. We were heading back to Daves type II VW wagoon, the one with grouse, duck and fish decals plastered all over it, the kind you see on campers at times. We were just walking toward the car when all of a sudden Dave says grouse!!!I’m looking all around when suddenly without warning, bam, bam ,bam, and we start laughing uncontrollably, yup, spur of the moment Sprout had blasted the grouse decal on the VW,I think we counted 15 holes in the body, none of them fatal to the wagoon, all intentional of course, it was a beater to start with.
Could go on and on, but not enough room here.
A little man with a huge heart.A man who could make or break a party, especially when he played the Indian scout………(you had to be there)
Say hi to all those who have gone before you and save me a seat at the table,buddy.See you again one day.
Ian
Thanx to all who came out to say goodbye to Dad. He was watching with a big-ass smile. Dad you will always be missed by your friends and family and by those who had never met you. Have fun hangin with the man until we see each other again.
Like others have said Frankie, what a wonderful tribute to my little buddy. He will always be my definition of what a friend is and what a friend does
what seems like not that long ago i was introduced too davey at a buddy`s (al salter) garage. we drank a few brown pops and exchanged giggles and reminissed about flat motors and and various hot rod related items over the years we have joked around and talked and just when you were at some place think wonder if davey is at the run or swamp meet the lil guy would yell out your name and say hi , he has always been here and other forums givein advice and helpin us all out . davey wasn`t as tall as alot of us but his heart was bigger then most peoples he will be missed no doubt about it signed Harold and all the guys at Macgyvers