Bikers Remember Dan Bell As Passionate Rider, Loving Husband
By: Caroline Tucker
Updated: August 10, 2012
Motorcyclists rode escort today at a funeral for one of their own.
Daniel Bell was killed on 390 in Henrietta last weekend, and he leaves behind a close knit group of friends because of his love for bikes.
They gave him a special sendoff on Friday.
"You might not know people that well but when you start riding with them you share something very special," said Gary Piazza, a friend.
"It's therapy it really is," said Stephen Georgia, a friend.
The Rochester-area bikers were in need of some road therapy.
"When we ride it just brings us right together," said a friend.
When Dan Bell died early Sunday morning.
They say he was doing what he loved best, riding with friends.
But the father of eight died after he was hit head-on by a wrong-way driver.
"I just couldn't believe it that he was really gone from someone driving the wrong way on the highway," said Stephen Georgia, a friend.
So they jumped back on their bikes as a tribute.
"When Tiffany had to tell her children and I saw that how important Dan was to them and how much she is grieving, I wanted something happy to come about," said Shay Piazza.
They say Dan loved to ride, but he loved his wife Tiffany even more.
"Every other word if it wasn't motorcycles it was Tiff, Tiff, Tiff," said Georgia.
"You can see the love between Dan and Tiffany you can see it in their eyes," said Gary Piazza.
Together more than a dozen bikes helped escort Dan's casket down Lake Avenue
It's how they say their friend and comrade would want to be remembered.
"That's just him as a whole as a person, he loved the bike he loved riding, just passionate," said Jared Greathead, a friend.
Sheriff's deputies say 36-year old Alphonse Chimera, Henrietta, was driving the wrong-way down 390.
The Navy veteran also died during the crash.
Sheriff O'Flynn said they are trying to determine if Chimera's GPS confused him.
They are still waiting for toxicology results but don't think drugs or alcohol were a factor.
Dan Bell's friends are holding a fundraising benefit on Sunday, September 2 at 11am.
It will be at: Scottsville Swamp and Grog Home of the Mud Bound Wreckers
Bike Ride will take place at 610 North Greece Road , Greece, NY at 11am
Event : 2127 Scottsville Road, Scottsville, NY at noon
There will be food, bounce houses, raffles, bonfire, mudding, and camping.
Admission is: $10/person, 12 and under: free
Money raised will support the Bell family.
An online fundraiser is also underway at www.gofundme.com/zseow
