Charlie St. Clair dies from injuries following Ohio motorcycle accident

LACONIA — Charlie St. Clair — Laconia Motorcycle Week executive director, Democrat state representative, and former Laconia interim mayor — has died from injuries from a motorcycle accident in Ohio, on Aug. 4. 

Laconia Motorcycle Week Association wrote with “profound sadness” that St. Clair passed away on Aug. 22, after the “catastrophic injuries” from the accident, which happened on Interstate 90 West, in Avon, Ohio.

“Despite every effort, his injuries were too severe, and he ultimately passed away from heart failure,” according to the statement.

St. Clair was on his way to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota, his 50th trip, when a tire malfunction caused the accident, according to Motorcycle Week Deputy Director Jennifer Anderson in a previous interview.

St. Clair was riding with a friend about 20 feet behind him, who witnessed the accident. No other vehicles were involved, but nurses traveling in a vehicle behind him came to his aid after the crash.

The Laconia Motorcycle Week Association thanked the hospital workers at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, where he was being treated.

“We are sincerely thankful to the entire team at Cleveland’s MetroHealth 5 West and to Nurse Brittany on 5 East,” reads the statement. “We are eternally grateful for the kindness, compassion, and care they showed Charlie.”

The association also thanked the community for their thoughts and prayers after learning about the accident. St. Clair was a member of the Laconia High School class of 1969, a state representative for seven years, and led the Laconia Motorcycle Week Rally as the executive director since 1991.

“Charlie is incredibly fortunate to have so many friends and family,” the association wrote. “To everyone who called, prayed, sent messages/cards, and surrounded Charlie with so much love and positive energy, we cannot thank you enough for being there for him and for us.”

Tribute messages are pouring out on social media, as people from the Lakes Region and beyond learn of St. Clair’s passing.

Rep. Mike Bordes (R-Laconia), who is Laconia mayor and Belknap County Delegation chair serving alongside St. Clair in the Statehouse, wrote one of hundreds of comments on the social media post. Within an hour it had already received nearly 800 reactions and 171 comments.

“Charlie’s passing is a tragic loss for Laconia, and his legacy will live on,” Bordes wrote. “His impact on Motorcycle Week, on our community, and on the countless people he connected with over the years will be felt for generations.”

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Bordes told The Laconia Daily Sun this is a "tragedy to the city," and the "whole community will feel this loss."

The Laconia Police Department called St. Clair a “pillar in our community,” and a “familiar, beloved presence during Laconia Motorcycle Week.”

“His impact on our city and his presence, personality, and love for Motorcycle Week made him someone so many looked forward to seeing year after year,” the department posted on Facebook.

Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) released a statement on social media.

“Charlie had a profound impact on his community as a dedicated state representative and executive director of Laconia Motorcycle Week,” Pappas stated. “He will be sorely missed.”

The NH Democratic Party posted a photograph of St. Clair on his motorcycle and sent condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

“From the State House to Motorcycle Week, Rep. Charlie St. Clair lived a life of service to his community,” the post states.

Rep. Alexis Simpson (D-Rockingham) posted a tribute to St. Clair, saying she is heartbroken her friend and colleague died. She called him a beloved member of the House Democratic caucus family, and said his loss will be “deeply felt.”

“I am grateful to have had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside Charlie. I will miss him dearly,” she stated.

Travis O’Hara, a former Republican state representative of Belmont, reached out to The Sun to share condolences for his former colleague. He said ever since meeting at the polls in 2020, even during a challenging and divided election season, St. Clair shook his hand and wished him luck. When St. Clair returned to the House in 2022, he was a colleague who would go out of his way to greet him.

“Working alongside him was a genuine pleasure,” O’Hara said. “Charlie will be deeply missed by people on both sides of the aisle, and Laconia will feel the empty space he leaves.”

The Laconia Motorcycle Week Association will share information about services when they are available.