A brotherhood honors its fallen member, David DeCarle
When bikers from across the country began to make their way to Riverhead Friday for a memorial and fundraiser in honor of David DeCarle, it came as no surprise to LJ James.
“We do this for each other,” Mr. James said. “When one member goes down, we take care of their family.”
Mr. DeCarle died Monday after the motorcycle he was riding hit a pothole on Reeves Avenue in Riverhead. A member of the Road Reapers Motorcycle Club, Mr. DeCarle leaves behind a wife, Ksenia, and baby boy, Desmond.
His brothers of the Road Reapers Club gathered with his family Friday night at their clubhouse in Riverhead in a show of support. They’ve raised more than $20,000 for DeCarle’s family so far, said Mr. James, who’s a member of the club.
“[The family] was blown away by all the love that was shown for him,” he said.
Mr. DeCarle, formerly of Cutchogue, was a cook on the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry. He was 36.
Mr. James said it was important for fellow bikers to rally in support of the family. He said DeCarle’s son will grow up with a “whole bunch of uncles.”
“We’re going to be there for him for his birthdays, for Christmas,” Mr. James said.
While a somber time, Mr. James said the event was about celebrating Mr. DeCarle.
“This is a brother we enjoyed being with,” he said. “He wouldn’t want us to be sitting around crying. He’d want us to be celebrating his life.”
Mr. James wanted to thank everyone who participated, the Town of Riverhead and DeCarle’s family and friends.
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