Michelle has passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025 at Queens Manor in Nova Scotia. She is loving remembered by her 2 sons, daughter and their respective families.
Michelle led a remarkable life best known for her illustrious career racing on the European Grand Prix motorcycle circuit throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s. A trailblazer in her sport, she earned enduring respect and admiration, including the honour of being inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
In her later years, Michelle turned her creativity towards childrens literature, drawing inspiration from vivid personalities if her beloved pets —both dogs and cats. Michelle developed a deep passion for wildlife photography, capturing natures beauty through her lens.
Michelle’s adventurous spirit, creativity and compassion touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed.
Love, your children. Anthony, Jacqueline and Christopher.
From Rob Iannucci /Team Obsolete:
Terribly saddened to hear the news that our friend, team mate and absolute LEGEND Michelle Duff has passed. Grateful that we got to spend some time catching up a few years back at Mosport for the 50th anniversary of the Canadian GP, where Duff finished 3rd aboard the Arter Matchless g50.
For those of you who don’t know Michelle’s story, please have a look online. Inspiring to say the least.
Michelle had a very interesting but difficult life. She was born Michael Alan Duff on December 13, 1939. Michael became fascinated by motorcycles and motorcycle racing at a very young age, and he had an impressive natural talent on the race track. In 1960, at the age of 20, he left for England to live his dream of racing on the British short circuits, the Isle of Man and in the GPs. He quickly made a reputation for himself and in 1964 Phil Read recommended him as his teammate on the first official Yamaha factory team in the GPs. He won one GP in 1964 in the 250cc class, and then in 1965 one more in the 250cc class and one in the 125cc class. Unfortunately, at the end of the 1965 season he was badly hurt while testing a new prototype in Japan, and his injuries caused him major problems for the rest of his career. His return to racing the following year was the subject of a National Film Board of Canada documentary by Robin Spry, titled Ride For Your Life.
In the early ‘80s, after years of self doubt and frustration, she changed her name to Michelle Ann Duff and went through gender reassignment surgery. She left her ‘motorcycling life’ behind and led a quiet life with her pet dogs. She later wrote and self published the book, titled Make Haste Slowly, and it was very well received by the racing community and fans alike. A second edition of the book included her transition into Michelle. After retiring from her job as an Ontario civil servant, Michelle decided to leave the Toronto area and set up in Nova Scotia where she had been living a quiet life with her beloved pets.
Godspeed Michelle !
From Bill Petro:
I’ve known Michelle as a friend from the early 70s. These are my favourite portraits of him from each era. The B&W is from 1979 and the colour shot is from the Isle of Man 100 year celebration in 2007. I will post more on the website in the coming days.
