Oakstead to Honor One of its Own

Oakstead residents, friends, family and motorcyclists from the area will gather tomorrow, Sept. 24, to remember John Lauer.

Lauer, 57, died June 9 following a crash on Oakstead Boulevard. The long-time neighborhood resident left behind friends and family who are still mourning his loss. The accident that claimed Lauer’s life is by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Saturday’s gathering begins at 11 a.m. and includes the dedication of a park bench across from the entrance to the Ashmonte subdivision. Although a motorcycle ride was planned, that will likely be much less formal, said Mario Grasso, organizer.

Grasso expects some motorcyclists from the community and nearby neighborhoods will turn out and he hopes more do, as well.

“I would like to see more bikers show up just out fellowship and respect for a fellow biker,” said Grasso, who is also the community's field operations manager.

In an earlier interview, Grasso said he felt a connection to Lauer as a fellow motorcyclist and a neighbor.

 “All 1,183 families here are neighbors as far as I’m concerned,” he said.