In keeping with the tradition of the Rhode Island Retreads Motorcycle Club, during the month of May and in observance of Memorial Day, we would like to take the time to remember those Rhode Island Retread members who are no longer with us.
Some of you may have fond memories of your old friends from past years and for those of you that are new to our club, these are Rhode Island Retreads Motorcycle club members who have passed.
IN LOVING MEMORY
LUCILLE BELANGER
June 4, 1947 – January 16, 2002
Lucille was a 20 year member of our RI Retread family, having joined with her husband Bob in 1982.
MIKE FERNANDES
February 8, 1957 – October 28, 2002
Mike and his wife Gale joined our RI Retread family in 1998. A terminal illness prevented him from being very active.
DANNY EASTWOOD
December 24, 1928 – February 2, 2003
Danny was an active member of of our RI Retread family for 25 years, having joined in 1978.
STEVE DUMONT
October 28, 1957 – August 24, 2003
Steve and his wife Cathy joined our RI Retread family in 2002. He was an active member until his unexpected passing.
BOB BELANGER
July 26, 1945 – May, 2005
Bob and his wife Lucille were active members of our RI Retread family for 23 years, having joined in 1982.
JOHN PARKER
September 11, 1909 – December 31, 2006
John was our RI Retread patriarch. He was our eldest member, both in age (97) and in years as a RI Retread member (31), having joined in 1976.
CHARLIE CLAFLIN
December 27, 1927 – February 7, 2007
Charlie and his wife Arlene were active members of our RI Retread family for 26 years, having joined in 1981 and had served as Assistant Reps to the then RI Reps, Bob Baxter (his nephew) and his wife Gloria through the years 1997 – 1999.
DORIS STEINHOUSE
February 21, 1940 – December 29, 2008
Doris, long time partner to Ben Lewis, was an active member of our RI Retread family for 29 years, having joined in 1979.
DANA ZEINER
October 14, 1958 – August 13, 2010
Dana joined our RI Retread family in 2006. However, health issues kept him from being very active with the club.
ANDREW J. PERRA
December 8, 1930 – September 15, 2011
Andy and his wife Betsey started the RI Chapter back in the early ’70s and held the position of RI Retread Reps for 17 years. They also held the position of New England Regional Reps for a few years.
PETER R. WILKEY
December 27, 1935 – July 5, 2012
Pete joined the RI Retreads in May, 2000. He also was a ROMEO, Retired Old Motorcyclist Eating Out. He was an avid motorcyclist, having gone on several cross-country trips. He visited all 48 contiguous states and traveled much of Route 1 including the farthest points north and south.
ROGERIO “ROGER” BARBARA
July 16, 1953 – June 8, 2013
Roger became a RI Retread in August, 2004. He and his wife Tina had been members in good standing for 10 years.
ROBERT J. COOKE, SR.
May 3, 1928 – July 29, 2013
Bob joined the RI Retreads in 2003. He had been riding until a couple of years ago. Bob enjoyed having Saturday morning breakfast with his friends at Food Works in Newport, RI.
STEPHEN J. GERMERSHAUSEN
August 14, 1960 – April 4, 2014
Steve, along with his wife Jill first joined the RI Retreads in September, 2001. They were members for several years. After a brief absence, they rejoined earlier in 2014.
ARTHUR RAPOSO
April 24, 1927 – April 4, 2015
Arthur joined our RI Retread family in October of 1981. Since that time he has made many friends. Many of us remember him as fun loving and multiple personality. We all remember the hobo costume that awarded him the coveted “Hobo of the Year Award”. Actually he won it several times. (Charlie Chaplin, The Hobo and who could forget the voluptuous blonde Henrietta).
CARL E. ANDERSON
December 24, 1953 – November 2, 2015
Carl, along with his wife Debbie, joined the RI Retreads in February, 2009. Although he was ill, he was an avid motorcyclist.
GEORGE KOLLITIDES
May 1, 1938 – June 24, 2016
George joined the RI Retreads in November of 2001. He passed away tragically during a visit to his birth country, Greece on June 24. He was well liked by everyone and will be missed by all.
ROBERT P. (Bobby G.) GUGLIELMO
March 21, 1959 – April 12, 2017
Bobby joined the RI Retreads in January, 2014. Along with his brothers, Richard and Tony, he owned and operated Northeast Trikes. Bobby’s smile, his laugh, and his creativity will be missed by everyone who knew him.
JOAN CHARRETTE
August 14, 1948 – April 24, 2017
Joan joined the RI Retreads in July, 2000. Joan enjoyed motorcycling with her husband Jim as they traveled cross country upon their retirement. She also enjoyed many outdoor activities; as an avid and effective fisherman, a target shooter of some skill, and a dreadful, but enthusiastic golfer.
BETSEY MITCHELL
June 25, 1943 – May 10, 2017
Betsey joined the RI Retreads in January, 2011 along with her husband Tony Zulla. Betsey was a true lover of the outdoors, nature, wildlife, her cats and her family.
BEN LEWIS
March 1, 1922 – June 25, 2017
Ben joined the RI Retreads in October, 1979. Ben was probably the most indescribable person most of us will ever know. He was a friend to anyone and everyone who came into contact with him. He always had his hand extended and fit into any crowd regardless of who they were. Of course to the ladies “The Hugger” was an irresistible force field. Ben will be missed by all who knew him.
RICHARD A. THIBAUDEAU
April 3, 1940 – July 11, 2017
Richard was an active member of the RI Retreads, having joined in August, 2011.
PAULO (Paul) VERISSIMO
June 26, 1968 – August 12, 2019
Paul joined the RI Retreads in August 2018 along with his wife Zulmira. Paul liked playing pool, spending time at the Warren Portuguese American Club, driving his Corvette, riding his Can Am Spyder, playing golf and spending time with his family. He will be missed.
ALBERT (Al) ROBITAILLE, JR.
January 17, 1935 – February 1, 2020
Al joined the RI Retreads in April, 1978. Al served as a Co-State Representative for the Rhode Island Retreads motorcycle club with his wife for over 10 years, still actively riding until age 83, earning his license plate name UEY-for the abundance of U-turns that he made while leading the group. Al was a man who enjoyed all that life brought him and always left things better than he found them.
JON ELWELL
January 8, 1942 – July 11, 2021
Jon joined the RI Retreads in January, 1991, with his wife Judy, joining in February, 2003. Jon had a longtime passion for high-end audio. During the first energy crisis, Jon took up motorcycling. His first bike was a 400 cc Honda which ultimately grew into a 1900 cc Harley Davidson. Over the years, he rode nearly 350,000 miles including participating in several well-known rallies and trips to Oregon, Sturgis, SD and Key West, FL. Jon will be missed by all who knew him..
RONALD FONTAINE
May 11, 1941 – March 14, 2023
Ron joined the RI Retreads in March, 2006. He loved riding his motorcycles and going on bike runs with the several clubs he was a member of. He was a proud member of the 1014 Attleboro Elks, where he was awarded Elk of the year in the 80’s. Ron loved his family dearly more than anything else and always looked forward to spending time with his grandchildren. He was a very social person and loved talking with people on a variety of topics. He will truly be missed.