Larry Luce's email came like a bolt out of the blue...
"I am frankly shocked and very sad to have to announce that Mick Felder has succumbed to pneumonia. He had been making good progress in recuperating from his recent injuries but had struggled with bouts of pneumonia over the past few years and in his weakened state he experienced a sudden recurrence and quick demise."
I was so saddened when I read of Mick's passing and wept openly...such a wonderful ever giving friend... a stalwart to the Australian and New Zealand Velo people who he assisted in so many ways with their plans to participate in the US/Canadian Velocette events.... Such a wonderful friend to me....
He was at an All British ride from Hanson Dam I think it's called in the Los Angeles area the other Sunday and somehow crashed the Triumph he was riding and taken to a nearby hospital to Intensive Care ward with a broken hip, broken arm, broken wrist and either broken ribs or collarbone... Crikey... He was recovering but succumbed to pneumonia and passed quickly.
So let's have a wander through my photos with Mick......
He was always involved in the local community..a member of the Hermosa Chamber of Commerce, Hermosa Rotary, Hermosa Salvation Army "Meals on Wheels"....
The Chamber put out a short video on Mick ..click on this link...A video of Mick
Mick driving his 1917 Studebaker during the 2012 Hermosa Rotary Club's St.Patrick Day parade....
Mick of course was a great stalwart in the US Velocette Owners Club and attended many of their week long "rally and rides" and organised one early on...
He was back in October 2005 for the Australian Velocette OC Centenary of Velocette week long rally held in Richmond on the western outskirts of Sydney...below...
Over the last few years the Australian contingent have presented an award from the Australian Velocette Owners club..."The Swagman Award"
Pictured above are the two 2010 recipients, Gil Loe from Chatsworth Cal. & Mick Felder. The VOCA Club President Keith Canning to the left and former VOCA President John Jennings to the right...
His nephew Dave Smith plans to hold a memorial for Mick at Mick's shop. Details will be announced as they become available.
Mick,
we all miss you mate....
Dennis.
7 comments:
Mick led a full life - I loved hearing his crazy stories of the 1950s, being one of those weightlifters on Muscle Beach (Venice CA) who would strut around like bronzed gods in next to nothing, bodybuilding right on the strand and picking up girls shopping for just such a fella. I think the era defined him in many ways: staunchly local, good natured, and single!
Like most in the 'hobby' for decades, some of the old junk he held onto became quite valuable, including the ground on which he chose to build his bodyshop, which far exceeded the value of his business at some point in the 1990s, but he liked where he was, in the catbird seat on PCH.
I think his various civic clubs and Velocette Club friends were his extended family, and he was welcome around the world as news of his generosity preceded him. We've lost a great Velo stalwart and friend in Mick: we shan't see his like in this world.
Looking at photos above of myself from 26 years ago, still barely in my 20s, when Mick looked as I do now (sans beard), brings up so many memories of riding out West on Velocette rallies, where I met Mick and you, Dennis, and so many others, I think how lucky it was to have ridden in such company.
Vale, Mick.
Thanks for this wonderful photo essay. I have heard him many times tell of his Velo-adventures and his friends from this group. If there is a silver lining here, he was doing what he loved with friends. He was a giving guy and always a joy to be around.
Steve Peterson
Hermosa Beach
Fellow Rotarian
Very sad news this.....the fragility of life. Mick offered to store a '34 Cadillac that my dad and I wanted to buy in the US many years ago. He wanted to move heaven and earth so we could get it. We didn't buy it in the end, but Mick knew we always had a reliable contact on the west coast that could help us around cars and stuff. I remember Dennis Q first giving me the 'pass-word' so-to-speak, when about to ring Mick for the first time - 'when you ring, say straight out your an Aussie and say Velo as soon as you can...he gets lots of prank calls and is likely to hang up immediately'. We did that and it worked....and Mick's smile could be felt on the line that very second.
I'll miss him for sure. A top bloke.
RIP Mick
Mick, as far as I knew, didn't have a mean bone in his body, and I will miss him and his optimistic and generous attitude.
Tim Kenney
Ojai
Just yesterday we had our local Brit cars & Bike meet at Golden Cove PV. CA a place where we would always see and talk to Mike. The sad news quickly spread around the participants there and it soon became the main topic of conversation with so many happy tales. I first met Mick many years ago when I was working at Cosworth here in the USA and would often chase bits for my Venom Clubman. Mick would always have Velos in his showroom window and that was what started the acquaintance. In fact only a few months ago Mick got me a new fabricated center stand for my Velo after an arm broke off the original iron one.
We will all miss Mick, always happy and helpful in life. RIP Mick the checkered flag fell too soon for you!
ian Bisco RPV.
A great friend and neighbor. We live just up the street from Mick, and it was a pleasure to get to know him over the years. He always had a kind word and had time to talk with me and my son. We loved talking with him about cars and classic motorcycles. His '29 Ford and the story behind it is amazing. Can't tell you how sad it is to realize he's gone. Even well into his 80s he rode regularly. Just a few weeks ago he fired up his Triumph for us in the shop - that was a hoot!
He also was a great member of the community, working with Rotary Club all the time as well as Meals on Wheels. He truly will be missed. Godspeed Mick.
Mick was a great guy and real gentleman. He is going to be missed by his many friends in the Rotary as well as the automotive and motorcycle communities. Many good memories.
Win Muehling & Christine Limmer
Surrey, Canada
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