This story is about a friend of mine, Gabe Petrella, who I met in 1993 just as we starting representing the VJMC at the Toronto shows.

Gabe was introduced to me through a past VJMC membership secretary Holly Garrett. Holly told me that Gabe was rather keen on Yam YDS3s & had recently restored one. After meeting Gabe & seeing his bike I could appreciate what this bike meant to him. The 66 that Gabe had done was magnificent! The only work not done by himself was the paint. He took every nut & bolt & either repolished it or replaced it.

Gabe started coming out to the shows in April of 93 & never looked back. Two shows a year since, plus the Paris show that was sponsored by the CVMG. Gabe never missed a show & that Yamaha never got worse than second place with the majority being first place awards. I know cause I was always up against him with my black YM1!

The Toronto members had a standing joke about "red bikes " & how the awards went to either the red 79 CBXs of John Anderson & Mike Witnall or Gabe's YDS3. We shared a lot of laughs talking about riding the bike or Gabe's introduction to motorcycling by his brother in 66 on... you guessed it a red YDS3. Gabe also had a blue "runner" that he would tour around on at the outdoor events, as the red bike was strictly for show. I have to hand it to him he never missed a show (regardless of the weather, which could get very nasty, see our past January pictures , 30" of snow over 4 days!)

I last spoke to Gabe mid December when he had informed me that he would not be able to make the Jan. show because of a serious accident when he was hit in a head-on collision. He had serious hip & leg surgery & would be bedridden (at home) for several months. He went on to say that he was sorry he couldn't make the show & felt it was time for some "black bikes" ( my YM1 & Chris Gates CB77) to take home some hardware. He was proud of his "airtight capsule" that he had made for the bike with Plexiglas & a fan. He assured me that he was feeling much better & was looking forward to displaying at the April show.

When I tried to contact Gabe after the Jan. show to give him the results of the show & that Chris's CB77 had walked away with numerous awards & red was now out of fashion, I was not prepared for the shock of the information I was about to receive. On Jan 4th, Gabe suffered a blood clot & died while at home.

I would like to take this time on behalf of the Toronto area VJMCers & all involved with the Toronto shows to send my deepest sympathy to his wife Pat & 2 daughters. Gabe was a super guy who loved his bikes & family & always appreciated the camaraderie that came as a part of the shows & the many friends that he made. He will be missed greatly.

Rick Seto