RIP: Prolific BARFer Joseph Harowitz (Harpo on BARF)

[SpeedyCorky]

Hate to report, but after many long painful years of dealing with cancer, Joe took his own life a few days ago.
For those that were close to him, it was no surprise. He was in a lot of pain for YEARS. He planned his final exit well, giving away and selling all his stuff. He made a clean, respectful, and moral exit to this world.

We should be happy that Joe lead a great life. For those that dont know him; Joe was a top level rider back in the early BARF days, fastest cat out there by a long shot; he held that position till age ~55 when a street moto accident (compiled with cancer) ended his riding career. Joe was a successful motorcycle sportbike racer who advanced beyond just club level racing - reaching skill levels that are usually only obtainable with both natural skill AND a professional level of financial support - he did it without the latter. Top skier as well, a professional in that realm back in the day. A super honest and up front guy. He'd tell you what you need to hear when you didnt want to hear it, and I loved him for that, its such a rare trait these days.

We were riding buddies for over 25 years. During his last few years, Joe was always the guy I called when I was feeling down. He was always real quick to set me straight, reminding me that I could have cancer and metal holding my spine together Its hard for us mortals that have to deal with his loss. He held out like a trooper. On and off chemo for years. I am sure he is in a better place now. I'm happy that my last conversation with him (few days before his death) was a good one. I never really knew which convo would be the last. We will miss you Joe, but I will miss you the most.

MEMORIAL RIDE SATURDAY JULY 18TH, and lunch..
The RIDE will meet at 11am, KSU 11:30am SHARP
Meet at the parking lot of Sparky's Giant Burgers
4120 Redwood Road, Oakland
We will ride Redwood Road southbound, stop at the gun range. Then northbound RWR, ride Skyline, Grizzly Peak Road, stop at the wall.
The ride will then proceed to the lunch location.

LUNCH: 2pm. If you cant make the ride, please come celebrate his life at lunch
Barney's Burgers
5819 College Ave, Berkeley


PLEASE if you have any pics of him, post them up. I dont have too many, but upon sifting through his house the other day I found a lot more, and will be posting them up soon.

 

[Melissa]

thank you for the information. It is a lot to digest.

 

[Noid]

Hate to report, but after many long painful years of dealing with cancer, Joe took his own life a few days ago.
For those that were close to him, it was no surprise. He was in a lot of pain for YEARS. He planned his final exit well, giving away and selling all his stuff. He made a clean, respectful, and moral exit to this world.

We should be happy that Joe lead a great life. For those that dont know him; Joe was a top level rider back in the early BARF days, fastest cat out there by a long shot; he held that position till age ~55 when a street moto accident (compiled with cancer) ended his riding career. Joe was a successful motorcycle sportbike racer who advanced beyond just club level racing - reaching skill levels that are usually only obtainable with both natural skill AND a professional level of financial support - he did it without the latter. Top skier as well, a professional in that realm back in the day. A super honest and up front guy. He'd tell you what you need to hear when you didnt want to hear it, and I loved him for that, its such a rare trait these days.

We were riding buddies for over 25 years. During his last few years, Joe was always the guy I called when I was feeling down. He was always real quick to set me straight, reminding me that I could have cancer and metal holding my spine together Its hard for us mortals that have to deal with his loss. Joe was in a lot of pain, for years. He held out like a trooper. On and off chemo for years. I am sure he is in a better place now. I'm happy that my last conversation with him (few days before his death) was a good one. I never really knew which convo would be the last, I'm glad it was a good one. We will miss you Joe, but I will miss you the most.

I will be planning a memorial ride, and lunch. It will likely happen on the weekend of July 11th, or the 18th. post up if you prefer a particular day. Ride will start 10am, go till about 2pm. then lunch somewhere in Berkeley. Likely Barney's Burger on College, as that is where Joe and I used to have lunch on occasion.

PLEASE if you have any pics of him, post them up. I dont have too many, but upon sifting through his house the other day I found a lot more, and will be posting them up soon.

God speed Joe.

We’ll meet again on the other side some day.

 

[SpeedyCorky]

God speed Joe.

We’ll meet again on the other side some day.

Dang been forever Noid!! <3

Noid was one of the super fast guys back in the day; one of the few that could keep up with Joe.

 

[Grissom]

Condolences to his family and friends

and F$%K Cancer

 

[budman]

Joe was a force of life for sure. Enjoyed every interaction with him.

Godspeed Joe.

Appreciated having you be a part of the BARF Community man.

Good to see you post @Noid

 

[DJNick]

Thanks Charley for all the details, I'm glad that Joe is no longer in pain. HARPO.

 

[SpeedyCorky]

found a photo scrap book thing in his closet. he had quite the life. fast bikes. race trophies. hot babes...
heres the photo dump

 

[SpeedyCorky]

more pics
boy pulled a 1/4 mile time on a gsxr1000....
10.193 @ 141.95mph
that aint no joke

 

[SpeedyCorky]

last of em for now at least

 

[budman]

Wow.

Some really nice photos.

I did not know Joe the racer. Do you know what years he raced? This does look like Sears kinda maybe.



That is a lot of pink. He was obviously comfortable in his own skin. Looking good Harpo.

 

[berth]

Harpo

 

[900ss]

I never met the man. For those of you who did, I am sorry for your loss. The pic of him with his left hand peace sign is going be my phone background as a tribute. Rest In Peace sir, and sleep easy. Godspeed.

 

[900ss]

more pics
boy pulled a 1/4 mile time on a gsxr1000....
10.193 @ 141.95mph
that aint no joke

His arms on that CB900 are probably bigger than my legs! I am a scrawny runt.

 

[Noid]

more pics
boy pulled a 1/4 mile time on a gsxr1000....
10.193 @ 141.95mph
that aint no joke

Not sure if he was racing me that run. But I told him if he could beat me I would pay his entry fee. I ended up happily having to pay.

 

[SpeedyCorky]

Wow.

Some really nice photos.

I did not know Joe the racer. Do you know what years he raced? This does look like Sears kinda maybe.


That is a lot of pink. He was obviously comfortable in his own skin. Looking good Harpo.

I have no idea what years he raced for sure, but i assume mid 20's up until his mid 30's.
he died at 61. so was born ~1965, so he'd be 25 in 1990. so prolly 1990 to the early early 2000's

yeah i was so glad my girl found that scrap book of pictures. some really good ones in there. the ones i posted were all of the best

 

[SpeedyCorky]

i jsut found a ton more excellent photos of him on a USB drive.
i posted them up on his Facebook page. check 'em out. over 50 shots

i had to post this one here, just cuz its such a bad ass shot.
Joe getting passed by a professional rider, at a track day, when Joe was in his later riding years

 

[Sportbiker]

rest in peace Harpo.

Saw him at a couple of Keigwin’s track day 10 years or so ago on his Gixxer 1K.

 

[cheez]

RIP Harpo. Condolences to all who knew and loved him.

 

[John2023]

RIP Joe!