Lost another Boat Racer.

[Bob Rusnak]

I just heard that Long Island lost another racer. Jim Gohery died last night after a short illness. Jim was part of the Long Island gang which consisted of "Alky" drivers, Bill Fales (N-77), Doug Bindrim (N-8), Dick Scopinich (N-72, Bob Hooghkirk,(N-48 and Pete Voss (N-66). Jim (N-74) was active in the Eastern Outboard Club since the 1960's running C service and FRR with a 4-60 Evinrude. Later he raced CRR and COH teaming up with Dick Scopinich and the "Happy Valley Racing Team". The team traveled to all the PRO races up and down the east coast and into the mid west and Canada. Jim will be missed here on Long Island, God Speed Jim....... Bob Rusnak N-96

[Al Lang]

Hi Bob, sorry to hear about Jim's passing. The old group is slowly disappearing. Getting old is not what it is cracked up to be.
R.I.P. James
Take care of yourself Bob.

[raceright]

Jim Gohery was one of those guys you wish you had seen more often.
When you did he left and impression, very few in this sport were more fun to be around. I raced with him and even went deer hunting with him --always a pleasure.
My one son David was a at boat race party on long Island several years ago and he called me to tell me he just met Jim Gohery as though he was visiting a celebrity. That is because all who knew him felt the same way several minuet's ago he called me to tell me the sad news. But he summed it up with this statement Jimmy Gohery was VERY COOL dad.

Yes he was I'm so blessed to have known him
N74
Happy Racing for the Happy Valley team You are all up there now

Pat Wright

[Bob Rusnak]

Bump to top

[John Schubert]

Jimmy

So sad to loose another boat racer & friend. When the EORC group decided to race APBA & joined the NJOA club, you could always depend to see the likes of Jim, Voss, Bindrum & others make the trip from eastern LI for a week night meeting in NJ. I really always enjoyed his enthusiasm especially at Depue the year he had a new Desilva & going in to the 2nd turn it explode. JIm was certain he had a good chance of a podium finish until that happened.

He was so excited to be at the 1st reunion that we had in Depue to the point he was caught with tears in his eyes on several occasions. Told me he definitely wanted to be part of the next reunion but I believe he wasn't healthy enough to be with us.

I'll miss you Jim

[Bob Rusnak]

Service for Jim will be this Friday. This should be a mini reunion from the EORC racers still left. I am sure the many stories of Jim will be told from his boat racing, snow mobile adventures, hunting and some other things Jim did. I know one thing, of all the years I have known Jim I never won an argument. He always had a way with words.

[raceright]

Service for Jim will be this Friday. This should be a mini reunion from the EORC racers still left. I am sure the many stories of Jim will be told from his boat racing, snow mobile adventures, hunting and some other things Jim did. I know one thing, of all the years I have known Jim I never won an argument. He always had a way with words.

I never won an argument with Jim as I always agreed with him especially on that long trip Me you and Jim took upstate Deer hunting we both made you upset What Fun.lolololo

[Bob Rusnak]

I never won an argument with Jim as I always agreed with him especially on that long trip Me you and Jim took upstate Deer hunting we both made you upset What Fun.lolololo

Upset, not really, I just never got a word in with the two of you rattling on. We din have fun, Jim was always fun to be with.

[raceright]

Upset, not really, I just never got a word in with the two of you rattling on. We din have fun, Jim was always fun to be with.

Ya had to be there folks lolololollol poor Bob

[B1PRORACER]

I remember those guys racing pro runabouts at the Connecticut races and a couple of times at Canobie Lake in Salem, NH. As a kid, I thought Jim looked a little like Evil Kineval, and then he would get into an FRR! Somehow it seemed to fit!
Of that group.... you forgot Pete Hellsten? Wasn't he from the island and raced pro runabout too?

[raceright]

I remember those guys racing pro runabouts at the Connecticut races and a couple of times at Canobie Lake in Salem, NH. As a kid, I thought Jim looked a little like Evil Kineval, and then he would get into an FRR! Somehow it seemed to fit!
Of that group.... you forgot Pete Hellsten? Wasn't he from the island and raced pro runabout too?

Not 500 (CRR) Pete Raced the smaller classes but Jack Gosman and Charles stafeld (aka Snookie) also raced the larger stuff. I raced very little with them but was pit crew for all of them from time to time, my racing became more serious when I moved to Florida in 1979. But all these guys had influence on me great guys and they all loved boat racing.
Jack Gosman is still around as is Pete Voss and Doug Bindrium all others are in the great boat race in the sky.

[Bob Rusnak]

Yea Pete Hellsten was one of the Long Island guys that traveled running C service and AOH. Jim, Dick, Bob, Bill & Doug ran the CRR and FRR classes and traveled the North East circuit. Notice I am using the old classification, Today they would be 500 cc, 1100 cc runabout. I will try to post some pictures of Jim's boat.

[Bob Rusnak]

Here is a picture of Jim in his Konig Powered CRR.

[Bob Rusnak]

Picture of the boat is the FRR Big four that Jim drove in the Eastern Outboard Racing Club events. This was in salt water.

[Al Lang]

Bob, doesn't look like Jim used the exhaust stacks that Art Pugh designed for Bill Fales. Bill said to me that it gave his 460 about a 4 mph boost. Though Jim might have had a set made.
Do you know what has happened to Snookie? He made that 2 cyl 500 overweight DeSilva and his size really move.