Keith Nairn - from Aileen

[Reggie3cl]

We've had a message from Aileen, Keith's partner and she has asked me to pass this on, together with some pictures and a short video of Keith starting the last Laverda he finished.

There are some lovely comments [on the forum]. Keith was held in high regard, with a hint of fear of his disapproval !

Here is a video of the last Jota completed on Saturday, Keith was determind that this bike was getting finishsd before he died. The district nurses were astounded that he was still out working when most patients would be in bed at this stage of their palative care.

If you can, please share the video on the forum along with these photos of Keith when he was fit and well. Many thanks, Aileen

There will be details of the dates for Keith's funeral shortly which will be passed on as soon as possible to give as much notice as possible for those travelling up.

 

[Paul Marx]

Many thanks Aileen.
Paul

 

[rocketonarail]

I may have posted a " like " ......... but somehow that seems completely inadequate ......... I actually found this deeply moving .................

 

[Jo]

Oh dear! Very touching pictures, I admire Aileen for sharing these private moments, and with that, in her trust in the Laverda community.

And I’m deeply moved by how hard Keith strives to successfully complete a task, even though he presumably has other things he ought to be doing. What matters to a person in their final days, and what doesn’t? That's likely a question with no answer for those of us not involved - yet Keith did it in his own way ...

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Vince]

He loved his Laverdas and those close to him.

 

[78jotadave]

Not my words, but fitting
"You are not gone-only gone ahead,
chasing the road where no night falls,
where the sky bends low to kiss the earth,
and every mile is forever yours"

RIP Keith.

 

[rpm-bert]

A fine fine fellow and will be greatly missed by the Laverda world and I
Rip my friend

 

[Tree Hugger]

Thank you Aileen for sharing those precious memories of Keith.
I always felt motivated after speaking to or seeing him.

David

 

[The Sock]

Truly a man who deserved the high regard he was held in. By those privileged to know him and by the many who knew only his reputation, from both sides of the globe.
Here's tae him!

 

[rowdypat]

Lovely photos Aileen xx

 

[RGSPhoenix]

Thank you Aileen for posting these and sharing these intimate times with us. I agree with rocketonarail, I too find this deeply moving. None of us know how we will face the final moments of our lives until the time comes. What will be significant and important in those moments? For Keith, his final act of defiance to the dying of the light was to continue the activity that defined his life, his love of Laverdas and doing what he was so good at. Bloody heroic! I salute him for his courage and for expressing that cheeky twinkle in his eyes, that is so obvious in those photos, right to the very end. Truly humbling. I will enjoy a wee dram this evening, raising the glass in his honour whilst watching that inspiring video and as The Sock says above, "Here's tae him!" Best wishes to you Aileen and thank you. X

 

[piranha-bro2]

Words fail me right now. That is just so truly special. Many thanks Aileen.

 

[DavidH]

Very moving.
A man who will be truly missed.

RIP Keith.

Thanks so much for sharing the photos and video Aileen.

 

[martymoose]

Very moving to watch the video, very sad.

RIP Keith

 

[JulianE]

I didn't know Keith and spoke to him but once. But these photos and the video moved me very much. That Jota will surely forever be haunted benevolently by his skilful touch.

 

[Gary]

Thank you for sharing the video Aileen. Keith showing his wit, determination, craftmanship, pride and pleasure in his final hours. We cannot begin to imagine how he felt at that time but I admire his fortitude and defiance.

 

[pf1]

They don't make them like Keith any more, that's for sure.

 

[nick7]

Very moving, thank you Aileen. I will treasure the memories of my stays with you both...the race to Keith's fish shop on my newly rebuilt Jota, Keith riding so fast on his BMW, ..twas only about 100 miles away! Keith cooking the monkfish wrapped in panchetta with asparagus...and a lovely single malt polished off in the early hours. What a great guy...my bike wears it's Laverdascozia badge affixed by the man himself. What will we do without him?

 

[sfcpiet]

A fitting tribute to an outstanding personality!

Thank you Aileen.

piet

 

[Paul LeClair]

thank you for sharing, Aileen. Rest in Peace, Keith.

Although we kept in sporadic contact over many years, Diane and I last saw Keith in 2013 when we were in Scotland (from Calgary, Alberta, Canada). We were staying in Edinburgh. Keith invited us to come by. Was just supposed to be a day trip. We took the train to Glascow, Keith picked us up (accompanied by his faithful black lab), took us to his impressively equipped workshop, toured us around Glascow a bit, then decided we needed to visit his favourite pub and brewery....... Long story short, after much laughter and partaking of the excellent beer and Scotch, we missed the last train that evening back to Edinburgh. Keith took us to his home and put us up for the night, made us a great breakfast, and got us to the train station in time for the early train back to Edinburgh. (We needed to check out of our accommodations in Edinburgh by 11 am to catch a train to Manchester later that morning). We were much the worse for wear but had a great and fun and laughter filled visit. Keith was a great host and just a great and memorable guy. We will miss him.

A great loss. Our condolences.

Paul and Diane