Laconia state rep dies following motorcycle crash

State Rep. Charlie St. Clair, 76, who represented Laconia and served as executive director for the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, died Saturday from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash earlier this month, the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association announced.

The accident occurred Aug. 4, the association said in a statement Saturday, and “despite every effort, his injuries were too severe, and he ultimately passed away from heart failure.”

St. Clair headed the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association for 35 years. The association has been hosting an annual motorcycle festival for over 100 years and boasts that it’s the “World’s Oldest Motorcycle Rally.”

“Charlie was a beloved member of our caucus family,” House Minority Leader Alexis Simpson wrote on social media, “and his loss will be deeply felt by everyone who knew and loved him. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts.”

Gov. Kelly Ayotte put out a statement Saturday: “Rep. Charlie St. Clair dedicated his life to serving the people of Laconia — from serving on the Planning Board to representing the city at the State House. Charlie loved our state and was proud to welcome visitors from around the world to New Hampshire during his 35 years as head of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association. Joe and I are praying for Charlie’s family, friends, and fellow riders as they mourn his loss.”