Charlie's last ride: Lakes Region celebrates life of longtime Motorcycle Week leader

LACONIA — The vast network of loved ones Charlie St. Clair generated over his 76 years was on full display Thursday.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life turned out to pay tribute to the longtime Laconia Motorcycle Week executive director through a day's worth of events to celebrate the life of a man who inspired so many.

St. Clair — a business owner, state representative, and former Laconia interim mayor — died doing what he loved, after injuries from a motorcycle accident on his way to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally on Aug. 4. His death, on Aug. 22, had a massive effect on the city, and beyond.

Friends, family, and colleagues of St. Clair's poured into the area throughout the week, starting with calling hours on Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, a hearse holding St. Clair's body was led through the city for his final ride.

The procession made its way from Opechee Park, down Weirs Blvd, through The Weirs, and ultimately ending at Union Cemetery, where he was laid to rest.

The ride started at about 9:15 a.m. on Sept. 10, with supporters all along the route to offer respects. Spectators waited in front of the Weirs Beach sign, anticipating the procession's arrival, around the same time. Some knew St. Clair well, others had heard about the legendary character.

Deb Peverly, of Northfield, was standing near the entrance to Weirs Beach, saying she knew St. Clair, and he was “just an awesome guy.”

“He loved Laconia, the bikes, and all walks of life,” Peverly said. “My husband grew up with him, and I met him along the road through auctions and through bikes. I never knew anyone who didn’t like Charlie, and I never saw him without a smile on his face.”

Patti Buckley, of Brockton, Massachusetts, was on vacation, staying at The NASWA Resort, and said it was clear how much St. Clair meant to the community by talking to owner Cynthia Makris upon arrival. She told Buckley about the events, and decided to take a jog through The Weirs to try to catch the procession.

Buckley read about St. Clair in the newspaper, and said she is friends with bikers who told her about his death. She was amazed about the scope of his involvement in the area.

“When you hear good stories, that’s what matters,” she said. “There’s so much bad stuff out there, but when you hear a good story, it makes you feel better about the world sometimes. Just remembering him matters.”

Brian Beaupre hails from Manchester, and while he is not a rider, all his friends are. He described St. Clair as “true New Hampshire,” and a man who put Weirs Beach on the map.

Beaupre knew St. Clair from around the city, and was introduced to him formally just five days before St. Clair's accident by a member of the Weirs Action Committee. They had a short conversation, and he displayed his “Charlie sense of humor.” While he had strong opinions, and cared deeply about what he loved, he was able to put differences aside.

Beaupre said people could learn a lot from St. Clair.

“If more people were like Charlie, the world would be a better place,” Beaupre said.

While awaiting the procession, an onlooker commented on the beautiful hearse that would be coming. Someone came up and asked what was going on. Beaupre said, “This is Charlie’s last ride. You’re witnessing history.”

Leading the procession was a group of police cars and motorcycles, followed closely by a motorcycle hearse with windows exhibiting St. Clair’s casket.

Behind that was a Laconia Motorcycle Week vehicle towing his motorcycle, complete with signatures all over its body, and a banner reading, “Charlie ... Thank you for the years of service. You will be missed, but never forgotten.”

St. Clair’s van was next, driven by Motorcycle Week Deputy Director Jenn Anderson, with Makris riding shotgun. Behind them were hundreds of motorcycles, as far as the eye could see.

They traveled down Lakeside Avenue, then circled around to make another pass by the Weirs Beach sign, so onlookers had another chance to see their friend.

After St. Clair was laid to rest at Union Cemetery, supporters made their way to The NASWA for a celebration of life. Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), who was part of the procession and became close with St. Clair over the years, was one of the first to arrive.

“What makes New Hampshire such a fantastic state is people like Charlie St. Clair,” Ayotte said. “He was such an impact player for this state. He loved Laconia. There wasn’t anything that happened in Laconia that he wasn’t involved with and promoting. And his work with Motorcycle Week was incredible.”

Laconia Motorcycle Week is an important economic driver for the region and the state, she said. Ayotte recalled St. Clair coming to see her when she was elected, telling her they really needed to promote the event more.

“He was always advocating, and is just a one-of-a-kind guy,” Ayotte said. “A very special guy. I think about what makes the New Hampshire Advantage. It’s people like Charlie St. Clair, and he will never be forgotten.”

A display of relics St. Clair had gathered along the way was at the entrance to the beach bar. That included pyrotechnic licenses, old photographs of his days with the Lakeside Sharks, a letter from 1962 when he was a child at Camp Tecumseh, framed newspaper articles from 20 years ago, and photographs of St. Clair’s smiling face.

Bob McLean, a Gilford resident and friend of St. Clair’s, was scanning through the memories, and spoke about St. Clair's big impact.

“I consider him a friend and an adviser, and we will definitely miss him,” McLean said. “His legend will live on.”

Executive Councilor Joe Kenney was perusing the artifacts of St. Clair’s life, and said he represents what is great about America. He recognized St. Clair as a community person who had a passion for Motorcycle Week, who was executive director for more than three decades. Kenney saw him throughout the year, not only in that capacity, but also in Concord, as St. Clair was a Democratic state representative.

“He was the guy who pulled it together, and was the face of Motorcycle Week,” Kenney said. “The tribute today, the sending off, and the attendance of the wake, it just shows how many people care about Charlie St. Clair, and the work that he did.”

Kenney called St. Clair a “people’s person, who was always looking out for Laconia.

“He was a hometown guy, and the hometown guy did good.”

Kenney said St. Clair is a rare human being.

“You just don’t find people like Charlie St. Clair anymore.” He looked up at the photograph of St. Clair, sporting his iconic smile, which put a smile on his own face.

“He’s going to be tough to replace,” Kenney said.

The events paying tribute to St. Clair, which later would include movies at the Weirs Drive-In and a massive fireworks display, were a community endeavor, led by Makris and Anderson. They were running around The NASWA, speaking to friends and supporters, making sure the whole thing ran smoothly.

“I hope he feels the love,” said Makris, who is St. Clair's cousin and president of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association. “I hope he feels the love from his beloved State of New Hampshire, and around the country. People flew in for this. Everyone came out for him. Charlie’s last ride this morning was spectacular.”

Makris said with St. Clair’s death being such a tragic event, she hoped the memorial events helped people find peace.

Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) called St. Clair a “terrific friend,” and said he wanted to include people in whatever he was doing. That extended to leaders in both political parties, she said.

“It was really about making sure that his friends were comfortable and happy,” Hassan said. “He worked so hard to make sure that New Hampshire, and its motorcycle culture and tradition, were appreciated.”

Hassan has traveled the globe as a senator, and people often tell her they have ridden in the Granite State, and Laconia immediately comes up. She recalled when Motorcycle Week’s future was threatened years ago, and how St. Clair’s input really helped keep it going.

“It symbolizes the way Charlie was about so many things,” Hassan said. “Sure, Motorcycle Week, because he understood the importance to riders, to Laconia, to the state, to our economy. But, he would also do that for anyone who needed a hand, or a cause he believed in.”

Hassan said he would do it quietly, or loudly, whichever worked better. She added St. Clair never looked for the limelight himself.

“He was just a great friend, and a great leader. And this turnout today signifies how special he was to so many people,” Hassan said.

Rep. Mike Bordes (R-Laconia), who is also mayor of Laconia, looked around, noticing the bipartisan support to celebrate St. Clair's life.

“It says a lot,” Bordes said. “He was a great guy. The guy was always smiling, was always happy, and as you can tell, the community loved him.”

Rep. Matt Coker (R-Meredith) agreed, and said it was amazing to look at what kind of crowd a celebration for St. Clair brings in.

“Think about it, can you come to an event when there are members of the Hell’s Angels, the governor, a U.S. senator, and half the representatives here from both parties?” Coker said. “I mean, that’s insane. That tells you who Charlie is.”

Anderson said the day was going off without a hitch thanks to the police, fire, and other city staff members.

“Charlie meant a ton to the city,” City Manager Kirk Beattie said. “He did so much. I think one of the biggest things about Charlie is that he cared so much about the city. He was focused on his duties of Motorcycle Week, and he was focused on the state, but his love and dedication to Laconia is unmatched. I absolutely consider him a friend.”

Anderson said she was “speechless” about the love being shown, and feels like her family has grown exponentially through her best friend. She said she couldn’t be more proud to bring St. Clair home, and help put together a proper celebration for him. Moving forward, she feels like everything she does will be in St. Clair’s memory.

“I am going to dedicate my life to making him proud.”