John Read

[JoBrewster]

Regarding our good friend John Read

December 20, 2005
We have been friends with John for many, many years. He told us his dad raced previously on some race courses with people with the last name of Brewster which probably was Jack's brother Jim.

John Read had a heart of gold, ask his beautiful wife "Liz" as he affectionately called her (and she was his rock), or anyone else and they will tell you with a smile on their face about how he helped them one night in the pits, or on the way to a race, or going to one, or at a meeting, or fishing, or even on his new pleasure craft he enjoyed fishing off so much. He was always helping someone or doing something to make everyone else more comfortable. He had a special thrill this past year planning to put his 10-year old daughter Emma in a J boat.

John was a private person when it came to his health sharing only with those very close to him, or with someone who could read him just by hearing his voice or seeing his face. As his category secretary I knew that specific "John Read"; he told me a couple weeks ago over the phone 'i never could get anything past you mom, i mean sis' (he was chastised for calling me mom one day when i found out he wasn't much younger than me - much to my surprise. i thought he was 40-ish he looked so young for his age).

John certainly will be missed; he made an indelible mark on so many of us in the boat racing world, I believe more than he ever realized.

He was really looking forward to that fishing trip in March with his good buddies, but I am sure he will be up there looking down on all of us smiling and saying "God Bless you all and remember to always turn left."

Joan & Jack Brewster (Ravenna Township, OH)

[ryan_4z]

My condolences to his family. This is a real shock, John will surely be missed. As everyone has said, he was a great guy. I'm glad I got to know him.

[Scott18N]

I am truly shocked and saddened to hear of John's passing. Even though I didn't know him as well as the rest of you, I did count him as one of my friends.

Godspeed, my friend.

Scott Marriam -18N

[14-H]

Goodbye My Friend, John

I had the pleasure of working with John very closely over the past few years as we both chaired the Stock and Mod Categories. He was an excellent leader and great human being.

Last January, when we were all stranded in Atlanta after the annual meeting, John offered to give me a ride "up north as far as you need, Eddie." What a great guy. I rode with John from Atlanta to Cincinnati where I rented a car to drive back to Chicago. Kinda-ov-a Planes-trains-and-automobiles-type of a thing. That trip, from Atlanta to Cincy, was one of the most hilarious, best times I have ever had. I will never forget it. John and I traded all kinds of stories, enjoyed dinner together and a few beers and had a great time enjoying each other's company.

At several points, I got to laughing so hard the tears were running down my face and John was laughing so hard, I thought we were going to wind up in the ditch. Of course, we also talked about our beloved APBA and all of the issues of the day. And, finally, John talked especially fondly of his wife and his daughter that I know he loved very much. He told me that the only draw back to boat racing, was the time he spent away from them. I learned a lot about John, during that one-day trip.

John was one of those types of people that reassured me that, God in his infinite wisdom, in a world full of so much badness, places great, kind but simple and gentle people in our lives in order to make life worth living. My impression of John was that he enjoyed life, and he certainly spread that enjoyment to me. I will miss him terribly.

Please pray for his wife and daughter. Ed Hearn.

[Steve Johnson]

I remember John

At zanesville the year the water rose. I was up early but John must have been up at dawn Pulling out all the trailers he could. No one had to ask him to do it. That was the kid of guy he was. I also remember him offering me a boat to race while I was having some handleing issues with mine. He just offered. Our Family lost a great guy. I'm so sorry
Steve

[Jeff5P]

I don't remember when I first met John, it's been a long time ago. He and I developed a friendship over the years and then he and his family moved to Ohio. He joined TRORA and we worked on many races together. I encouraged John to run for Mod Chairman and supported his efforts during his 2 terms in office. When the Mod category had no site for the 2005 Mod Nationals, I mentioned to John that I would try to secure the Franklin site with help from our friends, the Wiegels. He promoted and supported our Mod nationals. This summer he encouraged me to run for Chairman. Although I was reluctant, he thought it was best.

John, I will miss you, my friend.

Jeff

[STEVE FRENCH]

I don't recall the first time I met John. About three years ago at a race, I roped for him all day on his D-MOD. The ringing in my ears each night when I go to bed remind me of that day. That experience got me hooked on MOD. The scream of an open pipe Merc will do that to ya!

In the next couple years I have run AMH,25MOD,BMH,CMH, and last year added John's own DMH rig as one of my favorite rides. John always made ya welcome at his trailer after a long day of racing and someone I always looked to for his comments on my driving. Even if I screwed up I would treasure his comments on my stunt and he would usually top it with a story about something he did similar at some time in his long race career. Like the time he was roping for me and after the green had flag dropped and we both realized I forgot to put the drain plugs back in after the first run................

John has always been one of the first ones I look for when I arrive at a race site. Not only because he and the 22-S trailer had the coldest beer and best television reception, but because I felt a kind of pride coming from him at seeing another fellow MOD racer show up. He always had a wink and a smile and wanted to know what changes ya made since the last run. Sometimes he would shake his head and tell me that what I was trying was a good idea but already tried, or he would just smile and with a raised eye brow say "I'll be watching". ---------------Above all he was always positive!

Although John was not impressed at first with the new color on his rig when he first saw it this spring at Ocoee, he was very impressed with the quality/workmanship that the new owner (Alan Whiteside) put into the finish of his old ride. After John got done looking it over and commenting on the color (John's face showed his every thought), he asked to see our guages so he could check our set-up!

There was a decal that John had on the rig that we saved and put back on the rig. It was one word that really impressed us especially knowing John was a helocopter pilot in Vietnam. That word sat by itself on the deck but always would catch your eye
-------COURAGE------.
Alan spent the last two Winter Nationals at Ocoee roping/crewing for John and I. When John decided to sell his rig it only took Alan a couple weeks to decide to buy it. ---Alan has never raced a boat.---He just had to have it, complete with trailer ---period.
John was very proud to hear his rig won at Lock Haven this season.

Alan has the highest regard for John.------It will be with a very heavy heart that I will have to pick up the phone and let Alan know of John's passing................


19P

[Bob Dunlap]

My condolences go out to Johns family. What a great loss for all, John was a hard worker for our sport. He was the kind of person who always did a lot of work everybody didn't see and we will truly miss him.

[Brew56]

Wednesday's service

Last night was one of the toughest moments of my life to say goodbye to John but I can tell you all one thing.....the outpouring of love from our racing friends truly makes this the best sport in the world. Racers in attendance came from Pa, Ohio, Michigan & Indiana to be there. I was very proud to have them there and it helped us get through the night. I know John would be quite humbled by those who were there. We told many stories about John and how he always helped others. In fact, the service reflected upon that very thing from start to finish.

For those of you out east going to the service tomorrow, please give Liz and Emma big hugs for us and let them know you'll be there for them in the future. Emma is the strongest 10 year old girl I've ever met. She was so positive last night. You can tell she has her Dad's toughness in her. I hope we will see Liz and Emma again in the future....you can definitely see John in Emma's eyes.

When I hugged Liz goodbye last night, I told her that the Three Rivers Sportsman of the Year award would now be honored in his name, she was delighted. I knew that would mean a lot to her. It is so deserving of this great man we will all miss so much.

I wish everyone out there a wonderful & safe holiday.

Jerry Brewster

[STEVE FRENCH]

Yesterday at Noon I decided to make the trip to pay my respects to John.
I had called in the morning and sent flowers.
We were just finishing up our Christmas lunch at work at the Post Office Vehicle Maint Facillity (garage) in Erie,Pa. The boss had handed out Citco gift/gas cards in unmarked envelopes that he had purchased himself and had thanked us for keeping the fleet scheduled repairs caught up for the year. I opened mine---$15.
I made out a leave slip and punched out at 1PM. Stopped at the Citco/Country Fair next door and filled the ol' Cherokee---$32.
Pulled onto I-90 after putting the transfer case in 4X4. It was snowing hard in Erie and top speed to the Ohio line was 50MPH. After that it was smooth sailing although one of the studded snows on my jeep needs rebalanced and held speed to 62/63 MPH. At 65MPH the passenger seat back started dancing on it's own.....
As the rest of traffic blew by me at 70MPH and up and left my wipers busy trying to clear the salt, my thoughts turned to what the atmosphere might be at John's services starting at 5PM.
Myself,---- I was kind of a wreck. You may have noticed I edited my above post about 30 times trying to get it to sound right. I just couldn't pull myself away from the computer till almost 1AM. I just hoped I didn't lose-it once I was there.
As I hit Cleveland I cracked open a Bud and my thoughts turned to Emma. John had talked, at the Spring Franklin race, about getting her started racing and even hinted at building a C-MOD Yamato rig for himself. Emma was all over the place in the pits that weekend asking questions, looking at boats, and being a kid.
Now less than a week before Christmas, would she even be there.
I never met Liz but I Knew she is a Doctor and must be a strong person.
At exit 81 I got off I-90 and headed south on 105 towards Pemberville. It was 5PM and I decided there was time for a pit-stop. After a shot of "Fire-Water" (cinnamon schnapps) on the rocks I made my way to the Marsh Funeral Home.
Walking in I was impressed with the flowers and number of people there.
Making my way to the flowers and reading a few cards,I came to a large display of pictures of John. Most involved family events and racing. A voice behind me asked if I was one of John's racing buddies. He was John's brother standing with an older gentleman, John's father. I explained that I drive for the guy that bought John's last rig. I told his Dad that when I started racing a 20H in A-MOD in 2002, John had given me an old 2-blade brass wheel that his father used to race on a 20H. John's Dad broke into a smile and said it must of been from his B-runabout days. He then pointed to several pics of their camp in NY and several pics of John and his brothers testing a DSH on the lake were the cabin sits.
I then noticed Emma standing next to her Grandfather------smiling.
Leaning down and making like I was turning a wheel I started to tell her I drive her dad's race boat. Mid-sentence she said, (with a smile) "Steve I know that!" "the green boat!" She then walked over to the board and pointed to a pic of it in the burgundy colors john had on the Mason built rig, "this one!" She then went over the board pointing at different pics of john's rides and telling me about each one. All the while a big smile.

After reading Jerry's post above, I realize that it was her strength that helped me get through the evening.

I also know she has another gift from being John's Daughter and it is in the word Alan left on the deck of John's D-MOD-----------COURAGE------!

19P

[PROPDOC]

I only met Mr. Read a few times at the IOA Coldwater, MI events but I too have been touched by his kindness and generosity.

The first time that I met John I was introduced to him by Lyle Mason. Later in the day John and I were talking in the pits by his trailer and he said to me "If you ever need anything to get on the water just let me know." I was surprised that this was said to me by someone whom I had just met earlier in the day.

After that weekend I enjoyed talking to John whenever I had the chance, really it was more like listening, to him telling stories about racing. I only had the opportunity to talk to him just a couple of times but I know that he truly was a great and kind man.

My family would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the Read family and may God Bless you.

Gardner Miller and Family

[h2obill]

John Read

What a shame
He was a great man.
When I came my first race, he offered some good advice and some humor as well, "you should write something on the bottom of your boat "
I always made a point of saying hello to him when I saw him at a race.
I knew when I was driving better, because he said " you're no fun to watch anymore ! "
It's people like him that make my life enjoyable........rest in peace my friend.
Bill Bruce formerly 43P

[JoBrewster]

Liz & Emma Read (John's Family)

This is a special THANK YOU to all who have taken the time to post a reply to Jerry Brewster's message/post about John Read passing. For anyone wanting to meet John's wife Elizabeth (Liz) and daughter Emma - they will both be at the Franklin, PA boat race all day Sunday, May 28th. This weekend has been dedicated to the life of John Read, our former APBA Mod Category Chairman. He is so missed by us all! All posts have been forwarded to Liz and Emma...Joan Brewster

[Brew56]

John Read Memorial Regatta

Liz and Emma were at the Franklin race this weekend. It was great to have them at the race in honor of John. He was missed for sure but it was great to see Emma playing in the water. One of the best moments was when Joel Wiegel saw her after his elim in CSH and gave her a big hug at the shoreline still wearing his helmet. That was great.