I just received sad news today that Bernie Stelman has passed away.
Most on this list probably never heard of Bernie, but he is a wonderful
example of a true enthusiast.
Bernie was the 76th person to join the NEMGT Register back in 1962. He was
a small, quiet but very friendly human being. He often took it upon himself
to act as a greeting party to those arriving at GOF's and took particular
care in helping first time attendees , and making them feel welcome.
Bernie drove a TD , one that was a driver , with horrible red painted wires
from a Ford. It wasn't original, but was on the car when he bought it in
the 1950s.
He liked it and the car wasn't imposing, just like Bernie himself.
Bernie wasn't a wild gung ho loud mouth, to the contrary he was always
reserved. I knew him only from MG events, and to this day don't know what
he did for a living. That's great as it was MG that was important at our
level of friendship.
The achievement that sets Bernie apart from anyone in the NEMGT Register,
or any one in the hobby was the fact that he drove his black, red wheeled
TD to the first GOF in 1963, and to every other one, all 62 to date, in the
same car. That's 62 events in a row, never missing, always in the same car.
Events were usually in New England, but have been in Ohio, Georgia and
other places quite far from his home.
This past August, Bernie came to GOF 62 in Ottawa, and told his friends
that he had Cancer. He knew he had 6mos to live, yet he came in his TD. At
the awards dinner, where he was acknowledged for this incredible streak of
attendance, he spoke to the gathering, and told us he hoped we understood,
it wasn't the streak, or the cars that kept him coming, it was the MG
people that always made it wonderful.
We will miss Bernie
Mike
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