Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group

L'Association Canadienne de Motos Anciennes

Log in

Pour traduire ce site Web dans une autre langue, cliquez sur « Select Language » au bas de la page.

Back to topics

John Funnell

Show latest replies on top

Subscribe to topic

07 Jan 2026 11:41 AM

Quote

Message # 13582240

Mark (Administrator)

click to enlar

John Funnell

October 2, 1934 - January 4, 2026

John died at his home January 4. He was 91. A member of Great Pine Ridge Section, he will be greatly missed for his enthusiasm and contributions to motorcycling.

John grew up in London, UK. He worked as a motor car mechanic and played guitar in skiffle bands in his spare time. He always seemed to have a motorcycle, or two, and he raced and rode regularly.

John and his wife Christine immigrated to Canada in the mid-1970's and settled in the GTA. He continued to work as an auto mechanic. John joined CVMG in 1991. In the following years, he became a a restorer, exhibitor, rider, insurance appraiser, concours judge, GPR section member and executive.

Please add any anecdotes or photos of John to this post. There will be a funeral service on January 31 - click below to see details.

Click poster to enlarge

11 files

Last modified: 12 Jan 2026 6:03 PM | Mark (Administrator)

11 Jan 2026 8:08 PM

Quote

Reply # 13584000 on 13582240

Glenn

I remember John well. In my early days in the club, I would attend the fall colours ride with John leading. One time we were in Haliburton I believe and it started to snow. I was dressed very warm with good snowmobile gloves and John had bear hands and was frozen. It was still a great ride. I got John to come to my place in Goodwood a number of times after restoring a bike to appraise it. The last bike was 6 or 7 years ago a yamaha rz500.

We also saw John with the green Atlas every year in Lindsay at Brits in the park. We always said hello. He was a great guy.

12 Jan 2026 6:14 PM

Quote

Reply # 13584489 on 13582240

Mark (Administrator)

Brian Barrett, GPR's most-easterly member, sent me several photos of John. They are attached here.

When Brian lived in Scarborough he and John had many adventures. According to Brian, on one ride to the Great War Flying Museum in Brampton, he and John did a sightseeing tour in a small plane. Always a gentleman, It wasn't until after landing that John revealed he was afraid of flying!

The attached photos are from Brian's collection. They capture John at various events, plus a Norton Atlas and Matchless that John restored

7 files