Woodstock hosts the fourth annual event held in memory of late motorcycle enthusiast Jon Poszgai
The threat of rain and the presence of other motorcycle events on Saturday, Sept. 7, limited the number of participants at the fourth annual Ride 4 Suicide Awareness. Still, it didn’t limit the enthusiasm and commitment to tackle the ride’s heartbreaking focus.
Woodstock-area resident Maria Poszgai launched Ride 4 Suicide Awareness four years ago in memory of her nephew Jon Poszgai. Noting Jon, who took his own life at 39 years old, love of motorcycles, Maria saw a bike run as the ideal vehicle for a fundraiser and awareness campaign.
The more than 50 motorcyclists who showed up at the J & T Motorsports parking lot on Saturday morning fell significantly short of the almost 150 taking part in previous years. Still, Maria said their generosity and sponsorship support remained strong.
She said many exceeded the $20 admission fee to support the cause. Bills, many of them large, filled the donation jar of the table, while others purchased items with funds going to support this year’s event recipient, Maddy Murphy Memorial Fund.
Mike and Mindy Murphy were at this year’s Ride 4 Suicide. They launched the fund in memory of their 21-year-old daughter, Maddy, who took her own life five years ago.
Mike explained the Quispamsis-based foundation promotes suicide awareness in several ways and promotes efforts to support surviving families, friends and loved ones.
He explained the Maddy Murphy Memorial Fund awarded four $1,000 scholarships this year to students in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador. To apply for the scholarships, more than 50 students wrote essays about suicide awareness.
Mike explained that foundation judges had read the scholarships in an anonymous review and had chosen the four winners.
He said the foundation also sponsored surviving families to attend a retreat by N.B. Hope at Broadleaf Ranch in Albert County.
Jon’s parents, Diane and Julius Poszgai and sister, Caroline Lucas, travelled from Ontario to attend the Ride 4 Suicide Awareness.
Next year, the event will move from Woodstock, N.B., to Woodstock, Ont. Lucas will take over the event while Maria deals with personal health problems.
Lucas said she is happy to keep the annual event running to support the great cause.
The Pozsgai and Murphy families share a bond of despair they wish no one ever experienced. All four parents stressed the pain of losing a child to suicide never leaves.
“We will deal with the pain forever,” Diane said. “Family and friends will never get past it.”
She said they knew Jon was dealing with problems but thought he had them under control. His death came as a shock, she said.
Mike Murphy said few, if any, saw Maddy’s problems, noting she, like many, kept her struggles well hidden.
“We thought she was in the best spot of her life,” he said.
Mike said his 21-year-old daughter was a hard-working and active young woman.
“She was the life of the party and yet she was bottling up all those feelings inside,” he said.
The Murphy and Pozsgai parents agreed they would always question what they did wrong.
“Where did we go wrong?” Mike said. “What more could we have done?. You ask yourself those questions every day.”
He said focusing on the fund and helping others helps them cope. He said it would be worth the effort if the fund could save one person and one family.
As Maria Poszgai and Lucas handed out door prizes to almost all the participants, Maria expressed her appreciation to all those who participated and sponsored the ride.
She said she was happy to see Lucas and her family take over planning for the fifth annual ride, noting most of Jon’s family still live in Ontario.
Maria said the need for suicide awareness continues. She explained every year, approximately 4,500 people in Canada die by suicide, noting that’s equivalent to 12 people dying by suicide every day.
Maria said the motorcycle convoy travelled along Route 105 to Nackawic and back to Woodstock along Route 2, the Trans Canada Highway. She said the threatening rain held off for the most part.
“We got a little damp, not even wet,” she said.
The Murphys welcomed the chance to attend the fourth annual Ride 4 Suicide Awareness and appreciate being selected as this year’s fund recipient.
“Our hearts are with Maria today for putting this on,’ said Mike.
