My 1960 S/S Victoria used for a funeral - with photos

[Darren Bedford]

I was contacted last Tuesday by longtime friend and fellow PCS member Evan Butchers regarding the use of one of my vintage funeral cars for a funeral.

He was contacted by a funeral director he knows who had a car-guy who had passed on and the family requested a vintage funeral car.

After talking to them both I was lined up to have my 60 S/S Victoria there on Thursday for the service.

The guy was a lifetime long true car guy.

He founded the Thornhill Cruisers Car Club, he was a car appraiser, he wrote a book on Stock Car racing in Toronto and he was a columnist for Old Autos newspaper.

I was thrilled to be carrying this man in my hearse for his last ride to the cemetery. His family was very happy it all came together and he did get his last ride in a vintage funeral car.

Their wwere about 60 old cars in the procession behind me honoring this mans love of old cars. A sight to be seen on a perfect sunny summer day with temperatures at 18 degrees C or about 68 F.

Everything happened without a problem and this man had a very large group of family and friends attend his funeral.

Rest in Peace Nate !

Darren


P.S. In respect to the family, PLEASE DO NOT SAVE OR RE-POST THE CEMETERY PHOTOS ! Thank you !

 

[John ED Renstrom]

nice of you to do this for them.

 

[Denny Shira - Deceased - 1951 - 2020]

Thank you darren for providing this service for a true "old car Guy" I'm sure it was a great comfort to his family and friends.You are a great guy!!!

 

[Philip Rishel]

Wow - I would have loved to been working the parking lot lining up that funeral !!! Very nice, and your car looked great !

 

[Wayne Krakowski]

I have said it before, you are a great guy,

 

[Russell Street]

Classy Darren, Very Classy!!!!!

 

[Paul Newman]

A classy car for a classy send off

 

[Greg Steffe]

Well done Darren !

 

[Darren Bedford]

As I have been talking with some of my car guy friends over the last week. This man who had his final ride in my '60 S/S Victoria, was known very well by my friends including Tom McPherson.

I have to say I am proud I was able to offer the funeral coach to someone I didn't know myself but was very well know in the car world.

With the turn out of vintage vehicles and the vintage hearse leading the way, it truly was a fine tribute to this man.

I recommend to anyone with a fine old hearse to do the same if the opportunity arises. Treat people how you would like to be treated and the world would be a much better place.

Hoping everyone gets to go the way they wish when it is their time !

Darren

 

[Darren Bedford]

I received the latest copy of Old Autos.

Inside the front cover on page 3 is a story on the fellow who had his last ride in my beautiful 1960 Cadillac.

He wrote for the newspaper for over 20 years !


I was performing in Bracebridge last Friday when I had a lady come up to me and say she remembered me from Nate`s funeral. She was the funeral director directing the funeral.

She told me the family was extremely happy with the vintage funeral coach and when they saw the copy of Old Autos on the front seat they couldn`t believe it and were so touched by it. One of them said,`Wait until you see what is on the front seat !!!`.

I put the copy of the newspaper in there intentionally when I heard he wrote for them. So glad I did now.


I am proud to have played a part in this automotive enthusiast`s final ride,
Darren

 

[Rocky Fluegge]

very cool Darren, that makes me smile huge!! I said if my last ride is in a minivan, or something like that I will haunt every one around. If I play my cards right I will have my own car to hall me.

 

[Ron Devies]

Great Darren, I love getting those calls to use my car for a funeral.