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MIKE TAMS MEMORIAL SERVICE
A sad week for the speedway world, as we bid farewell to British Rider Lee Richardson following his tragic accident, this together with the sad farewell to Canadian legend Mike Tams, who at the age of 91.5 years passed peacefully after a few years of ailing health.
On Saturday June 9th , the weather caused the cancellation of the race schedule, but the memorial for Mike Tam took place. Attended by around 30 people who knew or knew of Mike, came to pay their respects and share the stories of this amazing individual.
The event was led by Welland Speedway's infamous commentator Wesley Pierce, He was joined by Mike's friends, Tom Succamore who was Mike's long time friend and boss, Tom & Rosemary Matier who looked in on Mike during his final years in Toronto, Tom, a former speedway rider was also joined by other past riders Stan Bradbury, Bob Fisher, John Franic, Tom Marriott, Fred Legault, Roger Stevens, and current riders Kyle legault, Glen Brown and Tommy Hensby.
The speeches were welcomed with happiness and sadness, many comments raised happy smiling faces regarding the events and capers that Mike Tams did throughout his 90 years of life.
Tom Succamore paid tribute to Mike expressing his friendship with Mike being one of the best a man could have. Mike worked with Tom and as Tom explained, Mike was very conscientious and always arrived on time, was never late and went above and beyond his duties on every job he did. A very compassionate speech from very nice man!
Fred Legault and his wife Marie, also shared stories of their recent visits with Mike, a highlight was told by Fred, when Mike was riding in a big speedway event in the UK, Mike was put against three of the best riders, Mike gated like never before, and led the first lap, he couldn't believe his luck, but as he went into lap 2, he was passed, so he thought I can get second!!! Nope the next lap he was passed, so he thought , wow, I can get 3rd , nope, he was passed again, so he went from 1st to last ands scored zero points, but he had a blast and remembered this one till the day he died!
Marie also told of his capers when he was in Ireland, he used to have a slew of women waiting for him in the the late 1930's at the docks, not because he was handsome and dashingly debonair, no they were there to grab the nylon stocking he smuggled for them!
Kyle Legault also made a very touching and emotional speech, making reference to Mike's interest of Kyle's UK events. He would know all about him, and when Kyle came home, he was amazed at the information Mike had on his racing, and they both spent many hours chatting about these events!
Stan Bradbury met Mike whilst riding in Ireland, and they often bumped into each other at tracks across the UK, and Stan's main memory was that of Mike's first race against him, in that he knocked him off! Despite this they became great friends and joined up with Bob Fisher when the came back to Canada, to race in Dundas, which is about an hour west of Toronto, and they created the Canadian Speedway Racing Association, which is still actively promoting the sport in Canada today!
Mike had two wishes upon his death, and both of these were compassionately performed by his friends, he didn't want a religious service, and his ashes were to be scattered on the Welland Speedway track, both these were done on a cloudy evening by his closest and dearest friends, and to cap it off as John Franic scattered that final ashes and bid the final goodbyes, the sun beamed through the clouds leaving everyone to say their final personal goodbyes with the sun coming down on his ashes.
Mike never married, had a few girlfriends, but somehow never got hitched. He was a handsome fellow and from all accounts, was a great guy who had his life's ups and downs, but in the end, he died a happy and content speedway rider, who now joins Lee Richardson to keep those bikes going in the sky!
Many thanks to the Legault family, for the wonderful spread of food and drinks, and to all the people who came to pay their respects, especially those who drove long distances to attend the event.
Stan Bradbury and Bob Fisher
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Tom Matier and Roger Stevens
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Fred Legault and Kyle Legault
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Kyle Legault
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Stan Bradbury
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Tom Succamore
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Bob Fisher and Tom Succamore
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John Franic says Final Goodbyes
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Fred said, "Now Mike, don't put that picture in front of your face to make it look like you still have hair!"
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Goodbye Dear Friend!!!
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