Eliot Kraft June 15, 1920 - Oct 28, 2011
91 YEARS IS A LONG RIDE!
Eliot was a strong supporter of the PMC.
He was involved and interested in the PMC from it's inception, as his son Barry and PMC founder Billy Starr grew up together in Newton. Eliot made his first donation to the PMC in 1980.
In 1992, when he lost his wife Barbara to cancer, he became an active volunteer
As a volunteer, Eliot had a special job.
He was one of the first volunteers that you saw when you arrived at the Mass Maritime Academy (MMA).
When bikers took the right over the bridge and rode down the long narrow street into the MMA, a sharp right turn awaited.
How would they know where to go? Fortunately, at the corner, stood Eliot.
He was usually dressed in a TANK TOP t-shirt lovingly given to him by the Bzar Beastie's, one of the original PMC teams.
He waved his hands for hours and, on occasion, would enjoy a beer with the Bzar Beasties.
He was being Eliot.
He was hucking riders.
He was playing the crowd.
He was enjoying the family atmosphere of the PMC.
He would be waiting for his son Barry to arrive.
Barry would arrive and Eliot displayed that trademark smile.....And then he opened his mouth (for a change).
" Where have you been?" You see, many riders finished ahead of Barry, and Eliot was frequently impatient.. but waiting for Barry was never hard.
Eliot was always there to offer his support to all and to give hugs and kisses to all he knew.
In later years, when he could no longer make it to the MMA, Eliot would be at the lunch stop, similarly waiting to offer support to all of his friends and family and to anyone that would listen to him. The hugs and kisses continued and often helped many get through the last 40 miles of their ride.
The PMC is a family, and Eliot was the ultimate family man.
He had many names other than Eliot.
To his old friends, he was "Hucker".
To his new friends, he was "The Star of the Show".
To his family, he was known as "Peeps", "Dad" and "Uncle Eliot".
To his little league players in 1960, he was known as "Coach".
And for those that just met him, he was simply "Unforgettable".
Whatever name you called him, you knew him as a compassionate man who listened well and offered advice to all that asked.
You could always count on Eliot when you needed him.
And when you came to one of those forks in the road, Eliot was there, directing you and helping you find your way.
Just like he did for so many years at the PMC.
We will miss him dearly.
