On May 2, 2019 the Niagara Ride lost one of its own. passed away after a long and courageous battle. Chuck was very involved with the Motorcycle Ride for Dad, his cancer was not Prostate Cancer but in his own words in a 2015 Niagara Falls Review article “I don’t have prostate cancer per se, but cancer is cancer. Anything you can do to help the battle, you have to try to do. I’ve had some awfully good care from doctors and nurses over the years.”

Chuck and his wife Lori were regulars at the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Fundraisers and BBQ’s and of course the rides. Chucks battle made it difficult to continue to ride a motorcycle so he exchanged the two wheels for a 1923 Bucket T. He was always up front and stepped in to give our Honorary Ride Captains a ride in the “Bucket”.

Chuck achieved the level of Diamond in the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Captains club meaning that he personally raised over $15 000. In 2016 Chuck was the top pledge earner for the Niagara Motorcycle Ride for Dad.

Chuck always had a smile on his face even when many of us knew that his body was not smiling on the inside. His attitude and outlook on life was one that many of us can use as an example of true grit.

Since his passing Chuck’s family have formed Team Chuck in memory of him and proudly continue the tradition of collecting pledges and being involved in the ride.

Chuck you will be missed. Please put in a good word for us on Ride Day.

I am a cancer survivor! Not prostate but a close neighbour LOL.

I want to help find a cure. Every one of us have a cancer story, and I have been living mine for over four years now. I also lost my Dad, a WWII veteran, and personal hero, and my sister to cancer.

My grandfather, Paul Ahern, died from metastatic prostate cancer in the late 1990s. A veteran of World War II and typical of his generation he didn’t talk about his health, feelings, or dote on himself. Suffering from lower back pain became he spoke to his doctor, but the pain was thought to be due muscle strain caused by the size of his belly and he was told to lose weight. When the pain became unbearable, tests were ordered and the diagnosis was late-stage metastatic prostate cancer in the pelvis and testicles. After a number of painful surgeries and treatments, my grandfather finally succumb to the disease, it ravaged his body, and this once jolly, rotund man died a little more than a skeleton.

I Ride because I don’t want other men to die this way. Men need to take responsibility for their own health and get tested. I Ride so that doctors have better diagnostic and treatment options to prolong life and keep families together longer.

If you can’t Ride, sponsor someone who does, or donate to help Save Lives.

Rob Taylor

Ottawa

Why I ride:   Freedom & Camaraderie.   Riding with friends and strangers but still alone with your thoughts.

Why I Ride For Dad:  Because I believe a dozen Canadian men don’t need to die every day from Prostate cancer.

Because I believe in the overwhelming power of a large group of people pursuing a single goal.

Because I believe Prostate Cancer can someday be beaten.

Because I believe that the Ride For Dad is the organization to get us there.

In 2009 I met this amazing person after hearing his story and deciding we should start a chapter in Manitoba for Ride For Dad. Over the past decade, this man has inspired me and many others with his determination, courage and a great love for life. He has given countless days and hours each year, getting the RFD message and awareness out there will telling his own story of survival. He is one of the main reasons we all Ride for Dad.

For the first 12 years with The Ride For Dad, I rode my ’86 Harley Davidson FLST Heritage Softail, red and cream

For the last 8 years I have ridden my 2012 Harley Davidson FatBoy Lo, flat black.

Jared & Sheri on their 1985 Goldwing GL1200 Aspencadea

2005 Harley Davidson VROD CVO

2009 Harley Davidson Electraglide

My Triumph Rocket 3 GT sitting pretty with the cherry blossoms in the background. Gotta love southern Ontario in full bloom!

2016 Indian Springfield. Black and chrome
Addons were luggage rack, highway pegs, bag rails, and passenger backrest.