BUFFALO, N.Y. — Mark Mitri was known for connecting people and helping others.
He was one of the founders of Slow Spokes Buffalo.
Bill Wood remembers meeting Mark at Old Man River a few years ago. "We put a little group together and it's just expanded beyond belief," he said. The Facebook group has nearly 2,000 members.
Mitri died as a result of a fire at his Cheektowaga residence last month. It was in his garage/man cave.
According to his brother Rick Mitri, "He had a heater in there. It was heated up so he could stay in there. He worked on his computer. He was a computer technician, and he worked on people's computers there in the garage. And he has, he had his football Hall of Fame on the wall for the Bills."
It's been a tradition to ride on the first day of the new year, but the ride in 2024 has special meaning and has been named the annual Mark Mitri New Year's Day Ride.
Many people turned out to ride bikes through the city of Tonawanda on a crisp, cold New Year's Day.
Mitri was a big sports fan. He loved the Buffalo Bills and UB Bulls. Scott Krevat said "he introduced me to bike riding we were big UB and and would talk about the games.
His brother knows Mark would be happy to see all the riders out in his memory. "He would tell people, ride on, ride on and be safe and don't be afraid to give."
Mitri would ride to raise money for Roswell and pediatric cancer groups.
Lisa Martin didn't know Mitri but she's a member of the online group. She was moved to participate because "it's a reminder, you know, to commemorate somebody that works so hard with this group, but also to remind you to be careful about your own home and fire, having fire extinguishers and whatever you're doing at home to be careful."