By Paul D. Fedorsak,
Marketing Director Kantor & Godwin PLLC

R. I. P.
Bob “Dundee” Gabri

I really don’t know how to start this story except to say I lost a good friend and a brother in our motorcycle family. My brother Bob “Dundee” Gabri didn’t just have a passion for riding a motorcycle, it was his life. He lived and breathed motorcycling. He had an asphalt addiction for two wheels heading down the road. Bob was well known for finding new roads and riding well-known ones. He didn’t care if they were big roads, little roads, mountain roads, valley roads, as long as they were covered with asphalt.

On September 9th, 2009 the first night of Bob’s wake, Dave “Rip” Ripley, Director of Niagara Falls Harley Owners Group, (H.O.G.) arranged a tribute ride from American Harley-Davidson on Erie Avenue in North Tonawanda to Lombardo Funeral Home on Niagara Falls Boulevard. in Amherst. The NF H.O.G. Chapter headed out of American with 60 + motorcycles, leaving the lead position vacant in memory of Dundee who had led many rides locally and across the country. They eventually arrived at the funeral home where the chapter was greeted by the family and a large crowd waiting outside. As everyone parked they started socializing and swapping stories about Dundee with those already in attendance. Then we heard more bikes pulling up, and when all was said and done more that 200 people had come to show their respect.

Dundee was 64 years old when he was taken from us. He went down on U.S. Route 6 and Dartt Settlement Road, Charleston Township, Tioga County Pa. on Saturday afternoon September 5th, at 3:05pm. Bob is survived by his three loving daughters, Jennifer, Andrea, and Tamara (“Tamaroo”) and two grandchildren Anthony Gabri and Amanda Epstein. Dundee was a faithful family man and was always delighted to show the newest pictures of his grandchildren even if when they were teenagers. His grandson was always ready to ride with his poppa at a moment’s notice as poppa was always ready to take him.

When he died, Bob was the current Safety Officer for Niagara Falls H.O.G. He was all about safety when he rode. Bob knew safety and riding. He organized and led many rides for NF H.O.G. and had won several “High Mileage” awards from the National Harley Owners Group, and his local NF H.O.G. Chapter for having ridden more than 420, 000 total miles including the lower 48 continental United States and the outback in Australia.

This was one busy man, on top of all his responsibilities, Dundee always had time to help others whenever needed. If someone asked for a volunteer, you can bet Dundee was first in line. He worked hard and tirelessly for charities like Polar Bear Bike Blessing, Benefit Run for Canine Helpers, Ruben Brown Run for the Salvation Army, American Red Cross Buffalo Chapter, and the 2008 NY State H.O.G. Rally. Dundee was also devoted to working with ABATE for motorcyclist rights. He worked for Niagara Cutter for 15 years and General Motors, from which he had just retired last year, for 20 years.

Another passion of Bob’s was motorsport racing. He was chief of flagging and communications of the Sports Car Club of America, of which he was a member for 30 years. During his years with the club Dundee was named Sportsman of the Year and was also honored as Driver of the Year. In later years he traveled the world with the Le Mans Series, working that race several times in Melbourne, Australia as well as in France. Several years ago while standing in his communication corner during a race in Toronto, Dundee had a brush with death when a car flipped off the track and landed about five feet from him.

Dundee is a man that will be missed by many. All who met him liked him and a lot of us came to love him. To me, Dundee was my brother; he was always there, the first to step up for anything. We would share our military stories over a cold beer; I can honestly say that I loved him and will miss him always. Not being able to look over and see his red ’09 Street Glide Harley-Davidson with that DUNDEE plate will be something I will long for, but I know when I’m riding that he’ll be looking over my shoulder pushing me to crank the throttle just a bit more as he watches over me and keeps me safe. The 2009 Street Glide had 32,000 miles on it already. Ride, Dundee, Ride.

Bob was with his Girlfriend Eva Dreier who survived the crash and is still in the Hospital in Philadelphia. Our prayers and thoughts go out to Eva and her family.

Ride Free my Brother until we can ride bar to bar again. I Love You, Man!

Flyboy Dundee