The man known for giving Bob Probert his last motorcycle ride will be taken to his final resting place in the same modified motorbike.
Forever Free Motorcycle Funeral Hearse Company's George Winney was battling several ailments that his wife Valerie Winney says just became too much. She tells AM800 News he died peacefully at Windsor Regional Hospital's Met campus surrounded by loved ones Saturday.
Winney says her husband of more than 33-years, "was such a good man, he was known by so many people and was so helpful."
George and his best friend Frenchy recently retired from organizing the annual ride for the Downtown Mission that brought in thousands of pounds of food every year.
That is one of so many causes the retired Ford Motor Company employee contributed to almost right until the end.
"When his mother created him, they broke the mold," says Winney. "I've never met another man in my life, and I'm going to be 63, I've never met another man in my life like him. You can ask anybody and they will tell you the same thing."
The Navy Veteran initially didn't want to take his final ride on the bike, but his wife convinced him it's the right thing to do.
"I told him for several years, honey, you have given such respect to so many people in those you have taken on their final ride. You deserve to be respected," she says. "That's why I want him laid out, so they can have their final goodbyes."
Winney says a military style service will likely be next Saturday with a wake at the Royal Canadian Legion on Marentette Ave., but final details will still need to be worked out.
George Winney was 69-years-old.
He's survived by his wife Valerie, two stepsons and a biological son, as well as two grandchildren.