LaFrance's Memory Lives On At Mount Everest

“I saw bike number 767 go through my corner a few times, and after the accident I was very upset,” Houk said. “Being so young, with his whole future ahead of him, I just couldn’t get over it.”

When Houk’s wife gave him a trip to Mount Everest—with a 50-pound weight loss ultimatum—Houk began to brainstorm.

“I needed some closure. I couldn’t get the accident out of my head,” he said.

Within a few days, Houk called Dave and Andrea LaFrance in Saratoga Springs, having never met them, and asked if he could take Connor’s wrist band and an 8x10 photo with a message from Connor’s parents to leave at a memorial for the deceased at the base camp of Mount Everest during his trip which took place from May 1-19.

“I knew I needed to do something. So many people were touched by that day, and Connor should be remembered,” he said. “When I placed his picture and wrist band at the memorial, the case was closed for me. I walked back down, leaving everything behind and didn’t look back. It doesn’t mean I’ll ever forget about Connor, but it gave me the closure that I had needed since the day of his accident. It was a very, very emotional moment.”

Before the trip, Houk and Dave LaFrance formed a relationship, and LaFrance even spent time at Houk’s home, in which a photo of Connor hangs.

“Dennis reached out to our family. He told me he had also lost a son and could relate to what I was going through, and he wouldn’t leave the photo and wrist band at the memorial without my permission,” LaFrance said. “I felt honored and humbled that he left those keepsakes to memorialize Connor.”

To remember Connor on his birthday, June 1, the LaFrance family and friends have planned a memorial balloon release at the Weibel Road Ice Skating Rink at 1 pm. Dave LaFrance purchased 500 bio-degradable balloons for friends, family and those who were touched by Connor to let into the air on the day when he would be 15 years old.

“We are always trying to think of ways to keep his spirit alive,” LaFrance said. “We want this memorial to be short and sweet, but meaningful.”

Connor’s spirit is more than remembered. The emergency medical technician team and corner workers that tried to save Connor felt such a sense of loss that some had to take extended periods of time off of work, and told LaFrance that when they sent flowers to the family, it was the first time the EMT crew had done anything like that.

“It was comforting to know how many people were touched by him,” LaFrance said.

Fundraisers through www.connorlafrance.org will help add money to a scholarship fund in Connor’s name to an outgoing senior at Saratoga Springs High School who has a passion for competition and plans to compete in any sport in college, LaFrance said.

“Just like Connor, we want this scholarship to go to someone who has the passion for what they do. It’s more about heart than grades,” he said.

On September 21, the anniversary of Connor’s death, a 5K benefit run in Connor’s name will be held at SPAC.

“These are all just ways to keep Connor’s memory strong. He was so passionate about racing, and we want to be able to inspire other young athletes to pursue their passions like Connor did,” LaFrance said.