Remembering Tom
By Ruby Rennie on Jan 11, 2009 in motorbikes, personal
Just before Christmas Tom Conlon finally lost his battle with the cancer that he’s had for some 10 years now. Ever since I came to work at Moray House Tom has been taking time off for therapy. I got to know him vaguely as a colleague, but more as a biking buddy. With Bob, who usually planned the routes, we explored the countryside, usually at a reasonable pace but occasionally having a short blast. Tom had a series of bikes, and it was on the SV that we had the most runs. By the time he got his last bike, the CBF1000, he wasn’t able to have long runs but we still managed to have a few explorations.
Although I knew Tom was seriously ill, I somehow expected that come the spring he would be out on the bike again.
2 Comment(s)
Your pictures of Tom on his bike are really lovely – thank you so much for making them accessible. They so remind me of the happy, bouncy fun loving brother I knew. Together we laughed in a way I couldnt seem to quite do with anyone else. The world feels a much duller place without him but I hope that all of us who knew and loved my brother, can put some of his optimism, his sunny personality and perhaps even a little of his intellect (!!) into their hearts. Save it up for Spring and let it grow……. Thank you for your pictures – they show such a healthy Tom and I know he would be proud to be seen next to his pride and joy……….Keep on biking – Tom talked of his fondness for your outings so keep on going and feel the freedom…
Likewise, thank you for the photos (I would love to have them in full resolution). They remind me of the the summer a couple of years ago when Jean and I were driving up from Yorkshire after a holiday together and Tom met us on his bike in Seahouses. We all sat and ate fish and chips by the sea and Tom and I vied to tell the worst possible jokes we could think of! We also stopped at Bamburgh to take a few pics. I love the one of Tom with his head in the wheel arch it made me laugh. Tom will be with you in the spring – on his celestial motorbike…..