Persons of the Week: Annual motorcycle ride keeps son's memory alive for couple

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Francis Waksmunski (left), his wife, Diane, and Dennis Reighard are seen standing at the Lilly Community Fire Company Gazebo in Lilly. The three are spearheading a charity motorcycle run on Saturday. Dave Lloyd
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August 9, 2009

By FRANK SOJAK The Tribune-Democrat Sun Aug 09, 2009, 11:35 PM EDT

Keeping a son’s memory alive through helping others is what a Portage couple has accomplished through a charity motorycle ride.

Over the past three years, the Neil Waksmunski Memorial Poker Bike Run has raised $11,625 to help people in need and organizations that serve others.

The fourth annual event is scheduled Saturday with Diane and Francis “Waxy” Waksmunski expecting to add more than $5,000 to that total.

The event begins with a registration at 11 a.m. at Johnny Angel’s tavern, located on Route 53 between Portage and Lilly. The ride begins at 1 p.m. and will take riders on a 100-mile trip through the Mainline area, over the mountain to Claysburg in Blair County before returning to the Mainline area, finishing at the Lilly Community Fire Company’s picnic grounds, where a party will take place.

The cost to ride is $15 a rider or $25 a double.

The Waksmunskis’ son, Neil, was killed in an all-terrain vehicle accident May 29, 2006, in the Portage area. He was 15.

“He was a wonderful son,” said Diane Waksmunski, adding that he was a kind person who always cheered everyone up.

“The first run was in September 2006,” said the licensed practical nurse at the Ebensburg Center. “It helped us to deal with our grief.”

She said the event has been therapeutic for her and her husband, plus it’s a good way to help others.

She said the motorcycle run raised $3,125 the first year, $3,500 the second and $5,000 last year.

The money has gone toward the medical expenses of people with serious illnesses and to places such as Crichton-McCormick Park in Portage.

This year, the funds will help emergency responders in the Portage-Lilly area and people battling serious illnesses.

Waksmunski said when they were planning their first event, they sought advice from Dennis Reighard, who regularly donates his time to help with charity motorycle events.

Reighard agreed to help and has been working with the Waksmunskis ever since, with the help of about a dozen of his friends, she said.

“Dennis does it out of the goodness of his heart,” she said.

Waksmunski said the event couldn’t happen without the help of numerous volunteers plus donations of food and prizes from individuals and businesses for the party. Prizes are chanced off to raise money.

Francis Waksmunski, a retired mail carrier in Portage, said their son was a good boy, and they figured the event was a good way to keep his memory alive and help others at the same time.

“We appreciate all the support we get,” he said.

Reighard, of St. Michael, said he could not do his job as road captain if it wasn’t for his many friends who help.

The retired mechanical engineer said he and his friends like to help others.

For their efforts, the three are the Persons of the Week.

Jean Kinley, president of the Portage Area Joint Recreation Commission, which operates Crichton-McCormick Park, said the event means much to the people being helped.

“I’m glad that they can channel their energy to make something positive happen out of a tragedy,” she said about the Waksmunskis.

People wishing to help can send a donation to the Waksmunskis at 732 McClelland St., Portage, Pa. 15946.

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