My Dad, Nicholas "Nick" Zakon-Bourke, passed away on July 30, 2023, after a nearly 2-year battle with ALS. It was a cruel irony that someone who loved life more than anyone else I've ever known was taken at the relatively young age of 70, shortly after his retirement from the wine distribution business. Nick was a truly one-of-a-kind human being. He lived life with an enthusiasm and joy that deeply influenced everyone around him. He was kind and generous, patient and understanding, inquisitive and thrill-seeking. He loved pushing himself to the limit physically - biking and skiing, in particular, were ways of life for him. The Pan-Mass Challenge was one of the defining activities in his life. Together with his beloved colleagues at Martignetti Companies, he rode in the Pan-Mass Challenge for 25 consecutive years before ALS finally took him down.  The ride became an annual ritual.  He relished in the training and the physical challenge; and just as importantly, he loved the personal connections and camaraderie of his fellow riders.  This year, in honor of my Dad, I'm riding in my first annual PMC!  I'm excited to immerse myself in this activity that he loved so much and that gave him so much joy.