One of Swan Hill’s most “mischievous” characters, with a beaming smile and love for every moving specie has died doing what he loved.
Bruce Jones, 69, died when his motorcycle hit a pothole about 50 kilometres before the finish of the 400km Aswan to Marsa Alam stage of the Cross Egypt Challenge on October 26.
His son, Simon, also competed in the challenge, held in Egypt’s south-east.
Organisers said Mr Jones, who was riding closer to the end of the formation, lost control and sustained a fatal head injury.
Mr Jones’ wife, Joy, said he filled their lives with “love, enthusiasm, his passion for projects, his entertaining performances and his opinion on issues large and small”.
Mrs Jones said the father-of-two’s passion for his cows, farming, water, theatre, garden, community and environment were all consuming.
“He stood firm for what he believed was right and enjoyed many debates with friends over issues,” she wrote in a death notice.
Daughter Penny described her father as the “most incredible and inspirational person” she knew.
“He was always the first person to put his hand up and get involved on the things most important to him, and he quickly became integral to them all,” Penny wrote in a tribute.
Son Simon said his father was larger than life.
“He taught me what strength of character is, to think critically and the joy of a hard days work.”
To read more about this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (November 4).
