Motorcycle Week board invites community to send cards to St. Clair as he recovers

Charlie St. Clair continues to recover from a serious motorcycle accident last week, in Ohio, on his way to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. The community has showed an outpouring of support for the man who leads the world’s oldest motorcycle rally.

St. Clair — a state representative, former interim mayor, and executive director of Laconia Motorcycle Week — was seriously injured in a crash in Avon, Ohio, on Aug. 4.

Deputy Director Jenn Anderson said in an interview, on Aug. 6, she had flown out to Cleveland to see him at MetroHealth Medical Center the day after the accident. She called his injuries “extensive.”

“There is a lot of assessment that is still to come because of swelling,” Anderson said last week.

St. Clair was receiving intensive care at the hospital. The Laconia Motorcycle Association, in a social media post, stated the full extent of St. Clair’s injuries, and his long-term prognosis, are not yet known.

A week after the accident, St. Clair remained hospitalized in Cleveland, according to an update by the association on Tuesday.

“While his injuries are severe, he is stable and continues to receive excellent medical care from the team at MetroHealth Medical Center,” the association stated on social media. “Out of respect for Charlie’s privacy, we will not be sharing additional details regarding his condition at this time.”

Anderson said St. Clair was riding with a friend, who was about 20 feet behind him when the accident happened on Interstate 90 West. No other vehicles were involved, and nurses in vehicles behind the accident came to St. Clair's aid.

According to the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, the cause of the accident was a tire malfunction, and nobody else was injured.

St. Clair leads the motorcycle rally in Laconia, and visits other rallies around the country. St. Clair was making his 50th consecutive trip to Sturgis, which is celebrating its 86th year.

If you live in the Lakes Region, odds are you've come across St. Clair. He's worked full-time with the Laconia Motorcycle Association since 1992, and before that, he was a part-time employee. The Laconia High School graduate has been integral in building Laconia Motorcycle Week to where it is today, attracting thousands for the nine-day event which has evolved dramatically over the years.

Friends and family members spoke about how much he has done for the community.

“I do know that he is loved by so many people, and so many people have reached out to me,” said Cynthia Makris, St. Clair’s cousin who also works alongside him as president of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association. “I just ask everyone to keep Charlie in their prayers. He’s tough. He needs everyone rooting for him, and praying for him.”

His good friend, Nick Tamposi, has known St. Clair since 1999, and actually had plans to ride out to Sturgis with him this year, before life got in the way. He said St. Clair was like an older brother to him, and they have become very close.

“We’ve got our fingers crossed and praying, asking for God’s guidance,” Tamposi said.

St. Clair is a Democrat and member of the Belknap County Delegation serving District 5, but political affiliation doesn't seem to matter when it comes to recovery wishes from local, state, and federal lawmakers.

Fellow Rep. Mike Bordes, the Republican chair of the Belknap delegation, spoke highly of St. Clair as a person in an interview following the accident. He said even when St. Clair is in a tough situation, he is amicable and in good spirits. He called him a “good, kindhearted guy,” who always seems to have a smile on his face.

“He’s done a lot for Laconia, and I think the community is well aware of that,” Bordes said Aug. 6.

Reps. Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander, both Granite State Democrats in Congress, took to social media to say they were pulling for St. Clair’s recovery.

“A true pillar of Laconia and the heart of Motorcycle Week, Charlie has given so much to New Hampshire, and we’re all standing behind him in his recovery,” Pappas wrote on Facebook, along with a picture of them dining together.

Goodlander posted a photo of them at Weirs Beach, along with a post asking people to keep St. Clair and his loved ones in their hearts.

“Charlie is a patriot and a true public servant who truly loves the people of Laconia and New Hampshire, and has given so much to us all,” Goodlander wrote. “Praying for his strength and recovery. We’re all pulling for you, Charlie.”

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) called St. Clair a “true friend and dedicated public servant,” and posted to Facebook she and her husband Billy were praying for his recovery. She included a photo of the pair in conversation aboard the Winnipesaukee Spirit, when business leaders met with the senator to discuss local tourism.

St. Clair was a founding member of the Lakeside Sharks Motorcycle Club, which largely contributed to the city's motorcycle rally, until they disbanded in 2004. The Concord-based Pipe Hitters Union Motorcycle Club Minutemen Chapter, which is in its third year and comprises a group of military veterans, also took to social media to send their thoughts to “a true motorcycle icon.”

“Charlie has devoted decades to serving riders, his community, and the people of New Hampshire,” the post reads. “His impact on motorcycling and the Laconia community is immeasurable.”

Members of the community posted about personal interactions with St. Clair and what he means to the city, state and Lakes Region, and about their concern and hope for his recovery. The association expressed gratitude for the support from friends, riders, industry partners and the national and international motorcycle community.

“The kindness and compassion shown over the past week has been truly humbling,” the association stated on social media. “We sincerely believe that the positive thoughts and encouragement being sent Charlie’s way are making a difference, and we ask that you continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he begins the long road to recovery.”

The post said many people have asked how they can help support St. Clair in his recovery. The association is working with legal counsel to create a GoFundMe, which will be shared once organized.

“Get well” cards can be sent to St. Clair in his name at P.O. Box 5416, Laconia, NH 03247.