Recently, more than 100 people came to a motorcycle/chicken BBQ fundraiser for the late Matthew Bewick, who passed away last year at the age 31 by suicide. The event was held at the Locust Grove Brewing Company in Milton and raised $11,000 that will go to the American Foundation to Prevent Suicide.

Stepfather Bob Keator credited his wife and Matthew’s mom Cynthia, for organizing the fundraiser. The theme for the fundraiser was born out of Matthew’s love of motorcycles.

“Knowing that Matthew used to own a motorcycle and with his friends who live way upstate near Malone NY, they would go to Laconia in New Hampshire and they had such a great time,” Keator said.

Keator said the cyclists “went from here to Kerhonkson to Ellenville, back up and over to Pine Bush, then through Wallkill and back to here in Milton. They said it was about 80 miles.”

Cynthia said, “If he were here he would be riding in this. His friends were all here and the support he had from his friends is incredible. It’s bittersweet and you always wish he were here, but it’s tough to talk about for me. He was our only child and he was everything to us.”

Cynthia said they also have plans to set up a scholarship in his name and have two people adopt dogs from the ASPCA, “and we;’re going to pay for it.”

Matt’s Dad Keith Bewick said the event went very well.
“He would have loved this, it was right up his alley. For him not to be here anymore is hard, every day is a struggle. If we can help one family stop this, it is a big deal to us,” Keith said.

Laurie Bewick said Matthew, “had a very big heart and would have helped anybody in a time of need. I think in a way this is his legacy and it’s gonna give back and help a lot of people. Anything with mental health shouldn’t be a stigma. It would be nice one day for this to be all open.”

Bob said at many events in the past for vets and others, Matthew helped out at the grill, “so it was really tough for us to not have him here today. He would have been right there working with us; he really enjoyed doing that.”

Matthew graduated from Marlboro High School in 2011 and worked for the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 373.

Bob said, “For me the big message we want to get out is that people need to help people when they realize something is wrong. Everybody just can’t turn their back or expect them to get help by themselves because very few people I think will go and get help on their own. We’re trying to get people to talk to other people.”

Firefighter and past Chief of the New Paltz Fire Department, Tony Yenzer, participated in the 80 mile ride and came because he knows Matthew’s stepfather and wanted to help in any way he can to bring awareness to this issue.

“Any family that goes through suicide is a tough thing and obviously you can see [today] the backing they have and it’s for a great cause,” he said.

Robert Malatesta is the Fire Chief of the Wallkill Fire Department and also knew Matt through his stepfather.

Malatesta said Matt, “was a great guy, an avid snowmobiler, loved motorcycles and would always help you with anything you needed.”

Bobby Troncillito has known Bobby and Cynthia for ‘eons’ and knew their son Matthew.

“It’s just so heart-wrenching when something like that happens and we’re there to support Bobby and Cynthia and it’s just a tough situation but knowing and having friends that can support you and help you get through the trauma, that’s what people do and we mourn with them.

Alice Troncillito said the fundraiser is very important, “because for so long the discussion of mental health has been in a muted voice. People need to be able to openly talk with others about mental issues with the same ease as cancer and high blood pressure and the same understanding that while cancer touches everybody’s family, so does mental illness. It knows no race, no age and no religious barriers. We have to bring the conversation to the forefront and not be afraid to discuss it and know that people who are dealing with these issues need the support. Today has been a perfect example of the community coming together to offer support.”

Charley Alonge has known the family for many years.

“It’s just like a Gold Star mother who loses a son in a war; they don’t want to forget their children and they want people to talk about their children. This is helping Cynthia get through; it’s a process.”