Benefit bike run planned in memory of Marine recruit killed in auto accident

By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

howland

The family of one of three Marine recruits killed in a March traffic accident wants something positive to come from the young man’s death.

A 75-mile memorial motorcycle ride is set for noon June 5 at Howland High School, 200 Shaffer Drive, in memory of Michael Theodore Jr., 19. Registration begins at 10 a.m.

Theodore Jr. along with fellow Marine recruits, Joshua A. Sherbourne, 21, of Southington, and Zachary A. Nolen, 19, of Newton Falls, died March 31 when the car in which they were traveling was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on state Route 5.

The young men were traveling to Cleveland to complete their enlistment.

Theodore Jr.’s brother-in-law, Mike McFarland of Cortland, and his dad, Michael Theodore Sr., picked a motorcycle run as the memorial because it’s something the family shared.

The last face-to-face conversation Theodore Sr. had with his son centered on a planned motorcycle trip to the West Virginia mountains.

“We were looking forward to it,” he said. “We had the bikes all packed. That’s something that we did together. We ride as a family.”

They were supposed to leave the day after the accident.

Donations for the event are $25 for riders with no charge for passengers. Food, door prizes, a 50-50 raffle and basket raffles also are part of the event.

All proceeds will go toward building a youth center at Pentecostal Community Church, Jefferson, in Theodore Jr.’s memory. It’s the family’s church and Theodore Jr. was active in it.