Stopping by to write what is regrettably the final chapter of this story. I had not heard from Jack in some time and decided to check in on him and was saddened to find out he had passed away last October. It was not unusual to not hear from him for months at a time, but when my Christmas email to him went unanswered I should have known something was amiss.
For those who were lucky enough to meet him and his wife Mary at Windber you will remember what great people they were. I really enjoyed our friendship over the years and I'd like to think the restoration of his old drag bike and his introduction to the OldMiniBikes community brought him some well deserved recognition and helped to invigorate him as he fought off his ailments. I know he was humbled by all the new found attention but at the same time he relished the camaraderie that accompanied it.
If you never had the chance to meet him or read his story, and if you're truly interested in "Old Mini Bikes" and their history, it would serve you well to read over the opening pages of this thread to see what it was all about .
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/jack-spitler-obituary?pid=187058197
.
For those who were lucky enough to meet him and his wife Mary at Windber you will remember what great people they were. I really enjoyed our friendship over the years and I'd like to think the restoration of his old drag bike and his introduction to the OldMiniBikes community brought him some well deserved recognition and helped to invigorate him as he fought off his ailments. I know he was humbled by all the new found attention but at the same time he relished the camaraderie that accompanied it.
If you never had the chance to meet him or read his story, and if you're truly interested in "Old Mini Bikes" and their history, it would serve you well to read over the opening pages of this thread to see what it was all about .
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/jack-spitler-obituary?pid=187058197
.
