Home " Gazette " Obituaries section " Tribute to Germain Geenens

Tribute to Germain Geenens

Germain Geenens 1947-2010

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death on 11 April of our National Delegate for Belgium, Germain Geenens. 
The sentiments of his compatriot Yves Pasleau are echoed by all those who knew Germain and rode with him: "A Centcoliste for 23 years, Germain was known for his kindness, his helpfulness, his conviviality, his in-depth knowledge and his exceptional memory of the routes he rode. His passion for the mountains and mountain passes led him to climb more than 3,600 passes. He had been suffering from a serious illness for a year and was in the middle of his convalescence when the disease finally got the better of him. He crossed his last pass during a stay in Olot (Spain) in March.

Germain was a linchpin of the Club. Despite the distance and the illness that was eating away at him, Germain was keen to be present at the last General Meeting in Yenne to show his attachment to the Club des Cent Cols and to spend some quality time with his friends. Little did we know then that we would be drinking one last glut (beer) together. He would have been one of us at the Bitche event this summer, but fate decided otherwise.

Germain, along with his wife Maria, has taken part in many Cent Cols trips, where his good humour and verve have delighted those who have had the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with him.

The Club des Cent Cols fully shares the grief of his family and friends and will always remember this friend who left too soon.

Germain was cremated in privacy on Friday 16 April and a civil ceremony took place on Saturday in Hacquegnies (Frasnes-Lez-Anvaing), Belgium.

José Bruffaerts reports this account of Germain's funeral on Saturday morning:

Yesterday I attended the civil funeral of Germain Geenens, the CC national delegate for Belgium. The large ceremony hall was too small to accommodate the crowd who wanted to pay their last respects to Germain. I estimate that at least 250 people attended, including family, friends and cyclists.

The master of ceremonies placed the urn containing the ashes of the deceased in the centre of the room. A wheel decorated with flowers, 2 jerseys (including the CC jersey), his Jowan bike and flowers made up the decor. Two digital frames, positioned on either side of the room, showed permanent photos of the deceased. Photos of his Tour de France randonneur, his wedding and many others. [...]

The first 2 lines of the obituary card sum up the considerable loss to the brotherhood: In the full force of life, still with so much to give / Ideas and projects galore, now gone...

An article from 2005