eastbayri
The second annual Maddie Pacheco Memorial Motorcycle Ride from the local VFW Post 237 on Hope St.
to the R.I.
Star Riders Motorcycle Club on Bulgarmarsh Rd.
in Tiverton was held this past weekend on ..
The second annual Maddie Pacheco Memorial Motorcycle Ride from the local VFW Post 237 on Hope St.
to the R.I.
Star Riders Motorcycle Club on Bulgarmarsh Rd.
in Tiverton was held this past weekend on a picture-perfect Saturday morning.
Maddie was a heralded student-athlete at Mt.
Hope High School, who at 22 years of age, died unexpectedly on Nov.
18, 2023, from a rare case of viral meningitis.
She had lived in Bristol with her parents, Louis and Erica (Soares) Pacheco, and her two younger brothers, LJ and Maddox.
She was a 2019 graduate of Mt.
Hope High School, where she was known as an outstanding and fiercely competitive soccer player who traveled the country for the sport.
After high school, she played womens soccer at Wheaton College (Norton, Mass.) as a first-year athlete.
Locally, she also worked at her familys business, East Bay Fish Market (East Bay Fish Company).
Because of her lovable disposition and congenial personality, Maddie's death prompted a strong outpouring of support in the East Bay communities of Bristol and Warren.
The Mt.
Hope High School football team honored her by wearing her number 25 on their helmets on Thanksgiving 2023, and friends organized a fundraiser for the family at the Bristol VFW Hall in early January 2024.
She was a hilarious, kind, and lovable young lady, the daughter or friend everyone wanted, emphasizing how openly she expressed her vibrant personality.
At the conclusion of the motorcycle ride this year, there was plenty of food and raffles and other entertainment.
All told, there were between 100 and 150 riders, and everyone seemed to be in great spirits.
"It was a great day," said Erica Pacheco.
"We had a safe ride, and then we went back to the RI STAR RIDERS, listened to great music, had some great food and sold a lot of raffle tickets and raised some money for a great fund.
The love and support from our family and friends (near and far) and the community is amazing.
They all make this happen and we are truly blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives wanting to help keep Maddies legacy and name alive." To show how much Maddie meant to those connected with the Mt.
Hope High School Athletic Dept., a 'Victory Bell' was unveiled in her honor on Oct.
17, 2024, on "Maddie P.
Night." It was a special event that demonstrated the impact Maddie made on this community.
Erica Pacheco said it best: "My number one goal is to keep my daughters name and legacy alive and spread awareness of viral meningitis...and be able to give Mt.
Hope High School students scholarships in her memory which makes my heart so happy.
Without my family, my friends, and this community, I couldnt make this happen.
"My daughter was loved by so many, and it just shows from motorcycle rides, cornhole tournaments, softball tournaments, and soccer tournaments," she continued.
"We know people far and wide and they always show up for support.
I dont wish this pain upon any family, but we do what we can in her memory in her honor to keep it alive because so many loved her and she is missed by so many.".