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News from Hells Angels MC Baltimore
| Headline: Bikers ride into Bristol for Hells Angel legend "Maverick" |
| Saturday - 08/01/2009 |
| Referrer: EVENING POST |
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Hundreds of bikers from around the world converged in Bristol for the funeral of the oldest active member of the Hells Angels, Michael "Maverick" Bresnan.
The 64-year-old was a "legend" among his fellow riders and friends, and was known as far afield as Brazil.
Yesterday afternoon, as many as 500 bikers rode in convoy to Westerleigh Crematorium from the Packhorse pub in Lawrence Hill – the home of the West Coast Chapter.
This followed an 11-gun salute from the Lawmen, an American Civil War re-enactment group Michael was a popular member of.
His coffin travelled in a special sidecar to the church and, in the convoy, were a number of wreaths sent by motorcycle clubs from around the world, including the Hells Angels in Holland and the MC Sweden Eskilstuna.
Hells Angels from America, Hungary, Croatia and Finland also came to pay their respects.
But Satan's Slaves, Defiant Few, and the Predators clubs were also represented.
His widow Ann said: "I think it shows how well loved he was by everyone. He would have loved this. The Hells Angels was his life and he loved being part of the Lawmen.
"Michael was very outgoing and popular," added his wife of 25 years, with whom he lived in Stafford Road, St Werburgh's. "If you were his friend, you were his friend for life."
Michael has two children from a previous marriage and his stepdaughter Carolyn came over from Canada for the funeral.
"It's incredible," she said. "If I had a tenth of the people turn up for my funeral I would be happy."
Former Merchant Navy man and carpenter Maverick was a founder member of the West Coast Chapter and had been a member of 35 years until his death on July 14, a week before his 65th birthday. He used to ride a Triumph motorbike and in his latter year's rode a Harley Davidson lent to him by fellow Hells Angel Trem.
Fellow West Coast founder Keck said: "He was very well regarded – a legend in his own lifetime.
"He had friends all over the place, not just in the Hells Angels.
"He got his nickname because he was stubborn, did what he liked and was a very strong character.
"Maverick had a big impact across the world."
Member of the Lawmen, Diane Lennon said: "I've never met a more kindhearted man."
She and other members talked fondly of his lucky cowboy hat, in which he used to put raffle tickets to produce sure-fire winners.
Avon and Somerset police closed part of Church Road, Lawrence Hill, before the convoy set off, and there was a uniformed presence into the night as the wake took place at the Packhorse.
It is thought everyone was well behaved.
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