Obituary of Wayne Prizeman

Wayne Prizeman passed away peacefully, Thursday, July 15, 2021 at the Pasqua Hospital, Palliative Care Unit. He was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Jean (nee Ganshorn) Prizeman. Wayne will be remembered and missed by his brothers Al (Linda) and Jim (Audrey); and their children Angie, Lisa, Chris, Matt and Andrea.

Wayne will also be missed by several chosen/extended families including the Dan (Celeste) Rider, Frank (Michelle) Borkus, Peter (Darlene) Hintz and Kim Johnson families; and many, many good friends in the “biker community” and beyond.

Wayne was an independent individual his whole life. He had his own philosophy on life and stuck by it. “Feel the Love” and “It is what it is” where two of his favourite sayings. There is another one but it wouldn't be appropriate to write it here, but the short version is “FI or FO”.

He loved old Harley Davidson bikes, dogs and children, pretty much in that order.

Wayne could build, rebuild, or repair almost anything he set his mind to and had a seriously old-fashioned work ethic. At his shop it was first come, first serve, and there was no jumping in line for work, unless you were a traveller with a problem. Wayne had an attitude that would make most business owners cringe, but it worked for him. If he could help you with your problem, he would; if you were the problem, he would tell you. Wayne had a wealth of knowledge and a great love for the older Harleys, especially the “shovelhead”. He was a great teacher and was always willing to share his knowledge “of all things shovelhead.” Wayne was a great listener and in his own way counselled friends and family through many difficult life lessons.

In his younger years Wayne travelled and worked his way coast to coast across Canada at least three times, and spent a lot of time in B.C., working a number of jobs. He knew some hard times and made it through them as best he could. Wayne always believed that “he got by with a little help from his friends.”

On the outside he gave the impression that he was a crusty, grumpy old man with a hard shell but if you could stand the verbal barrage for the first while, you soon learned that he had a huge heart and would do whatever he could to help. Wayne could have been the role model for Clint Eastwood’s character in the movie “Gran Torino”. He touched many people's lives just by being himself. Wayne often commented on how he never realized how much he influenced others and compared this to ripples in a pond. He was grateful for everyone who crossed his path.

Most worthy of special mention are the staff of Palliative Care Services who supported Wayne in his final weeks of living at the bike shop (Old Dudes' Cycle). You truly made a difference in helping him maintain a lifestyle he wasn't ready to let go of. Also, thank you to all the staff at the Palliative Care Unit in the Pasqua Hospital for making his last few days happier and more bearable for him. You all meant a lot to him and you made a difference.

Thank you to everyone who came out to pay tribute to Wayne by doing a ride-by motorcycle gathering at the Pasqua Hospital. He was humbled and honoured at this show of love and respect from his family and friends.

“Life is what happens when you have other plans.” ̶ Wayne