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Grandfather plans benefit for baby whose mom was strangled
By jeanne starmack
ellwood city, pa.
Moe Lordi has a lot of friends willing to stand by him.
He has a 7-month-old grandson, Gaven, who “is a joy to have around” and gives him strength.
He has some good news, too — as of a hearing last week in court, he has permanent custody of baby Gaven.
What he doesn’t have anymore is his daughter, Joie Lordi — and Gaven no longer has his mother.
Joie, 20, was found strangled in her home on Pershing Street on May 22.
Police found her on the kitchen floor, her face covered with duct tape. Charged in her death is her boyfriend and Gaven’s father, Keith Wolfrey, 23. The two were breaking up and had argued the night before.
The death stunned the close-knit community, where families go back generations.
A group of 25 to 30 people, Moe’s close friends and family members, got together to help, first with a Poker Run, next with a benefit Saturday at the Moose Lodge that will feature food, music, raffles and auctions.
“It’s mostly guys that have known Moe since we were kids,” said Donnie Ray Frelin, who is the benefit’s lead organizer.
They’ve played together in bands, with Moe lending his musical talents to several. So music is going to be a big part of the benefit.
Bands, including Jeff Wiley and the Coyotes, Eugene and the Nightcrawlers, Matt Baranti Band and Southern Spirits will start at 2 p.m., Frelin said.
A special Jam with Moe will start around 6 p.m. — $5 buys a jam session.
In between bands will be auctions. Several businesses have donated items, Frelin said.
“We’ll have all kinds of food and desserts,” he added.
T-shirts in memory of Joie will be available for $10, and commemorative wristbands for $2.
The money will be used for Gaven’s college education, Moe said, and for other expenses that may arise.
He also said some of the money will be used for Joie’s funeral expenses and for attorney fees — “whatever obstacles we need to overcome,” he said, adding that there will be no Social Security benefits for Gaven.
An account is set up for the baby at First National Bank in Koppel, Pa. People wishing to donate can make checks payable to Joseph Lordi, c/o First National Bank, 5413 Fifth Ave., Koppel, Pa., 16136.
Moe said he is “rejoicing” that he has custody of Gaven and looks forward to raising him with his fianc e Elaine Scrima.
“He’s doing really great; he’s a happy kid,” he said. “Joie was a lot like that when she was a baby.”
“She was a very good-hearted person,” said family friend Betsy Court. “She loved Gaven, and she was going to be a good mom. She wanted to be a good mom.SDRq