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Godspeed BJ Schwartz

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GT di Razza Pura
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Per Tim's post "We lost a good one..." in the MG-RA section... DAMN. For those of you who knew BJ; Husband, Father, NASA employee and Guzzi extraordinare. Salt of the earth indeed. I feel honored to have known him, though not as well as I've liked. He survived a crash a few years back that wouldv'e killed most, and he still rode again. When the group rode out to see him ~2 years ago, I left a donation on behalf of the SoCal Guzzisti and the thankfulness from his wife and son were overwhelming. I got a X-mas email wish from him just this week. He is already missed.
I already know no one will fill his shoes, and in the end if any of us are 1/10th the man, feel honored. Passing in his sleep on X-mas eve is very fitting.

I will get in touch with his wife to see if there us anything I can do, and perhaps take up a donation to donate somewhere on his behalf.

Godspeed BJ. Hopefully you're riding the Convert hack high in the sky.

bj.jpg
 
Would be fitting if we could get a good Guzzi turn out at his funeral.........as many bikes as possible. I spoke with MGC Mark and he's trying to find out what the arrangements are.

BJ was the original Guzzi guru............really nice old guy.
 
Hey Todd,

I recommend you give the downed rider money to BJ's wife to help with expenses......you can't get more "Downed" than that...
 
Damn, I'd been thinking about giving him a call just to say hello, never quite got around to it. I absolutely want to get up there for whatever arrangements they have. Nice post about him, Todd. To add a couple of things, BJ was also a long time Guzzi dealer, first in Van Nuys, then up in Hesperia till he got tired of dealing with the government bureaucrats. He was truly the kind of guy you would say had forgotten more about Guzzis than most people ever knew, & was very generous with his knowledge & time. With his background in aerospace, had a very unusual combination of both theoretical & practical knowledge. Also a great family guy, always looking to do the best for his kids & grandchildren in their times of need.

He was always running around the country on whatever hybrid (meaning bits & pieces from a multitude of Guzzis) he was riding at the time to various rallys, fixing whatever broke at the side of the road & moving on. The running joke at any rally was whether BJ or JN Smyth would get the oldest rider award, JN being slightly older, both in their 80's I think. The most memorable Guzzi he rode was his "postage stamp" bike, loop frame, LM or whatever motor, bits & pieces from whatever, the tank (& maybe some other parts) completely covered with postage stamps from around the world & then a couple coats of laquer over that, & a trailer in tow. Maybe someone has a picture of BJ & that bike they could post?
 
Shit!

I had the pleasure of meeting BJ a couple of years ago, he was not only a great bloke but was of great assistance with parts and help while rebuilding the 'Vert I flew to LA to rebuilkd a couple of years ago. Probably the same trip that Todd last saw him. Top bloke and a wealth of help and knowledge. Salutations BJ.

Pete
 
The burial will be here Sunday at the San Fernando Catholic Cemetery off Sepulveda & Rinaldi in Mission Hills (405 Freeway close).
Maybe we should plan a Guzzi ride around the park and stop to pay our respects.
Might be fitting for the sounds of Guzzi's to send him off.
 
Thanks for the post Nick and what are you guys thinking, attendance wise, on either/both? I'll be with RR most of the afternoon, so I'll gather info to post tonight.
 
GT-Rx said:
Thanks for the post Nick and what are you guys thinking, attendance wise, on either/both? I'll be with RR most of the afternoon, so I'll gather info to post tonight.

You and RR open for company? I kind-a miss you guys...
 
Just spoke with Short who had gotten off the phone with BJs wife. Viewing, Sat 9am-11 followed by service. Afterward people are invited back to their (the Schwartz family) home. Burial looks to be Sunday in SFV according to the mortuary web site though Tom told me he was told the same day in Apple Valley. So there is some confusion. Tom and I are driving (car) out for Sat. then back to AZ. I've got to be home by mid day Sun.
 
SoCalDon said:
You and RR open for company? I kind-a miss you guys...
We were down in Orange County yesterday, all freeway boredom. Look forward to riding with you again soon.

Lupo said:
Just spoke with Short who had gotten off the phone with BJs wife. Viewing, Sat 9am-11 followed by service. Afterward people are invited back to their (the Schwartz family) home. Burial looks to be Sunday in SFV according to the mortuary web site though Tom told me he was told the same day in Apple Valley. So there is some confusion. Tom and I are driving (car) out for Sat. then back to AZ. I've got to be home by mid day Sun.
Thanks for the info... guess we'll find out on Saturday.
 
Correction-visitation & services Saturday in Apple Valley as posted, then over to their house in Hesperia. Posting says burial will be in San Fernando on "Sunday Jan 4" Noon. Well, Jan 4 is Monday. Just spoke to Gail, it's Monday Jan 4, NOT Sun Jan 3. I'll be there, very likely both.
 
this is my old bike. my pal curt now owns it. he totally rebuilt the whole bike he bought the eng off bj a couple months back so bj lives.

l_cd9e3897f9cf4102a3410c0b01d6e027.jpg
 
OK.........lets try and get some kinda organization to this morass.

Who's going ?..............and where are we meeting up ? We need to be in Apple Vally by 11am.
I'd like to meet up with others on the way there..................and perhaps we could meet up at points along the way at designated times. Wait at that stop for 10-15 mins and move on. 3-4 stops along the way.

101-210-15 is the most direct route.......slab but I'm open to suggestions. We can alway look for a better route on the way back.

I'll could start the procession at say 8am Starbucks Ventura and Topanga Cyn from the East Vally Part. Anyone want to suggest a meeting spot at 101/405 for those coming up from the south and a good time ?............we can build a map from there.

PS from Starbucks on Ventura/Topanga it's 120 miles and about a 2 hour trip according to yahoo maps.
 
I will be leaving my house at 8:30am will be going on 134/210 east to 15 north. I know not the fun way but in winter it is the way you know the roads will be open. you are welcome to meet here say try to be here by 8:00am and we roll out at 8:30a sharp! those that need my address pm me and I'll send it to you. I will be entering the 134 e/b at colorado blvd it is the entrance just before the Arroyo Seco right where the 134 freeway changes name to 210. See you Saturday.
 
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