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BOYLSTON — Celebrating his late daughter with a scholarship fund and motorcycle rides has been healing in many ways for George Larassa and his family.
“When Shawna passed away at just 19, it left a hole in our lives that can never be filled. She had worked so hard to earn scholarships for college and I wanted to carry that spirit forward by helping others do the same,” the Boylston resident said of launching the Shawna Jean Larassa Memorial Scholarship Fund in the wake of his daughter’s 2009 passing.
Shawna had just completed her freshman year at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island as a business and criminal justice major when she died in a car accident. Creating the scholarship fund that bears her name the following year and awarding an impressive $100K in scholarships to “deserving” recipients over the last 15 years has been a tangible way that George and all of Shawna’s family and loved ones can honor her legacy.
“Starting this foundation was my way of keeping her memory alive while also making a difference in young people’s lives, just like Shawna would have wanted,” her father said. “The scholarships are a reflection of Shawna’s drive, determination, and generosity. She believed in working hard to achieve her goals, and she cared deeply about people. Every time we award a scholarship it’s a reminder of her passion for learning and her compassion for others. It keeps her light shining in a way that continues to inspire both us and the students we help.”
They have held the SJL Ride as a tribute to Shawna for many years and the most recent Leominster Eagle Riders annual charity ride benefitted the scholarship fund. Proceeds from the Aug. 16 ride, over $8,000, were presented to George and his wife Cindy Larassa earlier this month.
“The Eagle Riders believe in supporting our local community and riding for the SJL Memorial Scholarship fund was a great way for us to give back,” said Leominster Eagle Riders Road Captain Scott Falldorf. “We were thrilled to have almost 150 riders in attendance at this year’s event supporting this great local cause.”
George and Cindy and several other family members were at the ride and expressed gratitude for support from not only the Eagle Riders but the community in general.
“My wife and I are so grateful for the Eagle Riders and their generosity,” George said. “Their support shows that Shawna’s story continues to touch people far beyond our immediate circle.”
Over 300 people attended the festivities at the Leominster Eagles Club on Litchfield Street following the ride, including George and Cindy and George’s second ex-wife and Shawna’s stepmother when she was little, Angela ‘Angel’ Naples Larassa. As the blended, modern family talked about Shawna together, laughing and sharing stories about her, you could feel the love between them all.
Shawna’s stepbrother Michael Allen was one of the riders that beautiful summer day along with George and Cindy. The 32-year-old said he has “always been fascinated with bikes” and shared that George taught him how to ride a motorcycle a few years ago – and a bicycle when he was little.
Michael said he feels “peaceful” when he’s riding and that he and Shawna “were really close.” He divulged that both of his daughters – ages 7 and 10 — have the middle name Jean after his stepsister and that he loves being able to be a part of sharing her story.
“She gets to help people still,” he said of the scholarship fund.
Following the Leominster ride George proudly showed off the custom bike his friend Joe Deptula surprised him with at one of Shawna’s rides, “one of the most meaningful tributes…painted in her memory.”
“Everything Shawna loved is on that bike — butterflies, her peace sign, a picture of her, even a painting of her stone with all her tattoos,” George said with a smile on his face. “I had no idea they were doing it and when I saw it for the first time, it was overwhelming. Every time I ride that bike I’m riding for Shawna, and it reminds me she’s always with me.”
The day of the Eagle Riders charity ride they presented a $500 scholarship to a girl who is younger than most of their typical recipients. Eleven-year-old Marlborough resident Lillian Porter, a dancer like Shawna was during her childhood, was practically speechless when they brought her up.
“Lily is no stranger to the stage, but this atmosphere was certainly different than what she is used to,” said her dad Dan Porter, who is friends with George and regularly participates in SJL events. “When asked why, she said, ‘I was shocked and surprised and nervous cause I could see everyone looking at me.’ She usually has spotlights on her and cannot see the crowd.”
She also mentioned being nervous because “a bunch of biker guys” were staring at her, but
Lillian was in her own words “proud and overjoyed” to receive the scholarship that was applied towards her dance program, an activity she truly enjoys and has been doing for a decade.
Dan was aware of the scholarship fund because of his ties to George’s SJL events and when he mentioned it to his daughter, she was “very excited to participate.”
“This was a huge surprise for us and Lillian, and a secret we kept from her until it was presented,” Dan said of his daughter who is “an incredibly smart and talented young girl who’s hardworking when it comes to school and dance.”
“When she’s not being a bookworm, she enjoys being a group leader and helping others as a learning partner,” he continued. “While Lily has always done well in school and has been highly praised by her teachers, dance is where she really comes to life. She has danced just about as long as she could walk, and we’ve even joked that she had moves before her feet did. It goes without saying that dance is her real passion and shows through her very successful time as a recreational and competitive dancer and she is often looked to as a role model and inspiration, constantly pushing herself and teammates to be the best they can be.”
When she’s not practicing her routines, Lillian can be found assisting her dance teachers, with some of her favorites being Chickee, Arianna, and Claire. Besides dance, she has expressed interest in many areas including being a doctor or scientist, going into law enforcement or possibly politics, and Dan said she has asked about how she can get involved with her school council.
“Needless to say, Lily has high ambitions, and we couldn’t be more grateful for her and are excited to see what her future holds,” Dan proudly said. “We want to thank George and his family for this opportunity. He has been a longtime family friend and we’re always looking forward to his events, showing our love and appreciation and sharing the memory of SJL.”
George reported that they have distributed over 1,000 SJL stickers featuring Shawna’s signature peace sign and he likes knowing they are out there on bikes including their own along with cars, boats, trucks, storefronts, throughout the local community and well beyond.
“It’s fair to say the SJL legacy is everywhere [and] a reminder that Shawna’s memory has spread far beyond Massachusetts,” he said. “The Shawna Larassa memorial bracelets are just as widespread as the stickers, and many riders proudly wear the Shawna Larassa memory patch on their biker vests.”
Shawna’s favorite color was blue so nearly every piece created in her memory, from shirts to stickers, reflects that color. The peace sign, another of her trademarks, is painted on her memorial bike and because she loved butterflies, every year at the SJL Ride they release butterflies.
“Watching the kids and bikers set them free and seeing tough bikers fall to their knees with butterflies landing on their heads, faces, and shoulders is always a beautiful tribute in her honor,” Cindy said.
She disclosed that while Shawna was George’s only biological child, he “has always stepped up” for his four stepsons, including her two sons, “as if they were his own.”
“He has a huge heart, not only for his family, friends, and stepchildren, but also for his customers, having owned his own shop in Marlborough as a mechanic for more than 30 years,” Cindy said of her devoted husband.
Photos of Shawna have traveled all over the country and world, to locations such as Europe, Italy, Egypt, New Zealand, Disney, and Las Vegas. Friends, family, and George and Cindy always take Shawna with them — “kind of like ‘Flat Stanley’,” he said — as she loved to travel.
“George started giving her picture to others so they could carry her along on their journeys too,” Cindy said. “We continue to travel often and always bring Shawna with us, especially at our wedding.”
The Marlboro Eagle Riders have been involved since the first SJL Ride. Over time, they collaborated with the Leominster Eagle Riders to help coordinate the annual event and this year the two motorcycle clubs formally joined forces to represent the SJL Ride.
“When they approached us during a time we were stepping back, we were honored to have their support in continuing Shawna’s legacy,” George said of the motorcycle clubs.
Besides the recent Leominster Eagle Riders donation, over the years they have received donations for the scholarship fund from local businesses, friends, family “and even complete strangers who just wanted to help,” which helps them to keep Shawna’s memory alive.
“That kind of community support has been overwhelming and humbling and it’s what has kept this foundation going strong for so many years,” George said, adding that if anyone is moved to donate, they can mail a check to the Shawna Jean Larassa
Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc., 126 Nicholas Ave, Boylston, MA, 01505.
One moment from the past that really stands out to him was when a Leominster Fire Department truck arrived at one of the SJL rides, which they didn’t know about ahead of time.
“Shawna loved firetrucks and seeing that roll in brought us to tears,” George said. “It was such a powerful reminder that people not only support the cause but also remember who Shawna was and the little things she loved. Those gestures mean the world to us.”
It means a great deal to him and his family to be able to help people through his daughter’s scholarship fund and said it is “incredibly meaningful” to be able to do that in her memory.
“Nothing can bring Shawna back, but being able to give back in her name gives us comfort and purpose,” George said. “When we hand a scholarship check to a student, or even surprise someone who’s working hard just to make ends meet, it’s like Shawna is still with us, making an impact. Seeing the gratitude and relief on people’s faces is truly amazing, and it’s healing for us as a family.”
When asked what he misses most about his daughter and how she thinks she would feel about them helping others through her namesake foundation, George of course had plenty to say.
“I miss her smile, her laugh, and the way she lit up every room she walked into. She loved butterflies and every time I see one, I feel like she’s reminding me she’s still close by,” he said. “I truly believe Shawna would be proud of what we’re doing. Helping others was part of who she was, and I think she’d be smiling to know that her name continues to bring kindness, opportunity, and hope to so many people.”
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