Tribute to Samantha and Criminal

Memorial services were held this past Saturday at VFW Hall 2007 for Masha Green, much better know as Samantha Morgan Storm and Thomas Cavanaugh, known to so many simply as “Criminal.” It was a shock to the South Florida and International motorcycle community when we heard that both of these great souls had passed away within weeks of each other.

Thomas “Criminal” Cavanaugh passed away on Monday morning May 12, 2008. Crim, as his many friends knew him, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Crim was 64 and still active within the various veteran associations. He lived in West Palm Beach, Florida for over 40 years. He was in the army and he owned a couple of motorcycle shops, and later he worked out of his garage. He continuously wrenched, helping bikers in his South Florida community when he wasn’t on the road as the ticket holder for the Wall of Death act.

He met Samantha Morgan when she was a teenager and their lives were spent sharing the experiences that only The Wall of Death motordromes could bring. He was eulogized by his family and numerous close friends and associates. Every one cracked up when the fact that he was once an alter boy came to light. He would give you the shirt off his back. Some say he really died of a broken heart.

Samantha Morgan, whose name is synonymous with the Wall of Death and the California Hell Riders, was just 53 when she passed away approximately ten days before Crim. She had several broken bones from her chosen career path. Her true loves were her dogs, Mischief and Trouble, both of whom have new homes with family members. In attendance from California were notables like Goth Girl, Sara Liberte and Mudds, a very old dear family friend.

Of course, Don and Jay Lightening were there, the owners of the only two motordromes in the world and many more amazing friends. Wally spoke briefly as did Sam’s Aunt. Tales were spinning at every table of lions and legacies. Samantha’s heritage is alive and well on her recently founded website and everyone was encouraged to check out all the history, art and talent that was Samantha Morgan. Her cousin came in from Austin, Texas, her best friend Diana Hemp let out a holler in her honor.

Hank Ware and the kitchen staff at the VFW outdid themselves with huge buffet of shrimp cocktails and other deductibles while Bev at the bar was non-stop the entire time. Over four hundred people attended and the laughter could be heard over the small two-man band who provided the sound system and the stage was packed with flowers and pictures. The large black and white photo of Sam and Crim, centerstage, really summed up their lives and their love for one another. Best friends, who used to watch cartoons together, ride together and tend to each others lives, now ride in peace together.

I rode down from my house 45 miles away and as we were leaving, still shaking hands, crying and laughing, the skies turned gray, then very dark. I hit three massive walls of water on the ride home, probably the hardest, nastiest rain I have ever ridden through. It rained so hard that the inside of my helmet got wet! But did I stop to wait it out under a bridge?

Would Samantha have stopped? Just goes to show you that even though I never knew her that well, her spirit was riding inside me within that wall of water, keeping my rubber side down and the horizon in sight. Crim made sure I got home so I could tell you about it.

Monetary donations are still being accepted. Please send letters and cards to: Joanne Cavanaugh Darragh 4831 Alberta Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33417

You can see more of Sam and Criminal at these and other biker websites.www.thrillarena.com., www.californiahellriders.com/ or at http://www.indianmotorbikes.com/features/wallofdeath/index.htm

Here’s what it said on their memorial cards:

We love you today and we will love you tomorrow.
We have loved you in good times and we have loved you in sorrow.
We took you just the way you were or any way you chose to be.Because, the Lord does not put a loving man or woman on earth like youUnless he or she affects our lives like thee.

Missing you, All your family, brothers and friends

Love yourself and each other.
–Katmandu
Katmandu74@msn.com

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