Monthly Archives: February 2011

5 posts

MARFC Founder Passes Away!

barbara lopiccolo webb

Dear MARFC Members,
I am sorry to inform all of you of the passing of Barbara LoPiccolo. Barbara, along with her husband Vito and Willis and Marion Flokstra and the Lewis’s, Bob and Norma sat down at the Lewis kitchen table in Grand Rapids and laid the foundation of our great club way back in 1965 with Vito being the clubs first President.

 As I had said earlier this week, Barbara had been ill and she has now been called home to join her family and friends who have set the path home. Barbara is survived by her beloved Husband Vito and Daughters Janice and Linda along with four Grandchildren. I ask that you all join me in lifting the family in prayer and the expression of our condolences at this time. Barbara was a very dedicated and hard worker for the club over many years. I will have more in next month’s newsletter.
 
Services will be held as follows:
Kaul Funeral Home
35201 Garfield  (just North of 15 Mile Rd.)
Clinton Twp., Mi. 48035

Sunday February 20, 2011 2-9 pm visitation
Funeral on Monday February 21st at 10 AM from the Funeral Home.  

 
Once again, I am sorry to bring this news to all of you and wish Gods Speed to Barbara.
 
Yours in Racing
Dave DeHem
MARFC President 

MARFC Founding Member Needs Prayers!

Hi Race Fans and MARFC Members,
Word has been received that one of our founders, Barbara LoPiccolo, wife of Vito is very ill. I ask that you keep Barbara in your prayers as well as Vito and the family. Barbara and Vito are a third of the three couples who got our great club started way back in 1965. Bob and Norma Lewis, Willis and Marion Flockstra, and Barbara and Vito had a dream and a challenge way back then and sat down in the kitchen of Bob and Norma to start and develop what we all know to be the Michigan Automobile Racing Fan Club. Without their foresight and courage we wouldn’t be where we are today so please keep Barbara, as well as Vito and the family in your thoughts and prayers. 
 
Yours in Racing,
Dave DeHem

MARFC President

Motorsports Greatest Announcer Passes!

tom carnagie webThe racing community has lost a great icon of our sport this past week. The legendary Tom Carnegie passed away on February 11th. The golden voice of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for over 60 decades has been taken from us and now is calling races from the heavens. Mr. Carnegie was 91 years old and was a fixture at the speedway during all of the speedways racing venues. He will surely be missed by the millions who heard him over the many years he called the Indy 500. From all of us here at MARFC and race fans across the county we can only say “God’s Speed” Mr. Carnegie and our Thank You for all you gave to our sport!

February President thoughts!

Well, what can I say? One more banquet is in the books and now it is time to get ready for the upcoming racing season. I would be remiss if I didn’t say Thank You to all who helped out by setting up or tearing down at the banquet hall as well as the following for their help in preparing for the Banquet. Larry and Sue Iacoboni as raffle prize chairpersons, Fran Russo as Ticket chairperson, Laura Tucker, Sue Ginter, and Cory Russell for selling raffle tickets. Last but not least, Wild Bill Barnhart for getting the awards ordered and the program put together. Those folks took a ton of work off of my plate and did an excellent job. We are in the process of locking up our Fan Club Days for 2011 and will have a tentative schedule in next month’s newsletter and on this website so you can begin planning your travels for the summer. You will want to renew your membership for 2011 RIGHT NOW so you don’t miss out on the benefits of being a MARFC member as you won’t want to miss any of the great events being planned for the 2011 racing season. As I look forward to the upcoming season I am getting excited to shake off the doldrums of winter and to feel the warmth of the sun and the thunder of racing engines at full tilt.

Yours in Racing,

Dave DeHem