Hundreds of motorcycles give Bob Babarsky one last ride
Babarsky owned Thunder Road in town, Wagon Wheel in Ringtown
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Motorcyclists ride down West Centre Street in Shenandoah, bound for Ashland, as part of Robert Babarsky's farewell ride on Sept. 4, 2020.
SHENANDOAH – Hundreds of family and friends of a well-known local businessman came out Friday to give him one last ride through northern Schuylkill County.
Robert “Bob” Babarsky, 48, passed away last Saturday in a motorcycle accident on the Gold Star Highway in Gilberton borough.
Babarsky was well-known throughout the region as the owner of the Wagon Wheel Bar and Restaurant on Main Street in Ringtown, and previously as owner of Thunder Road in downtown Shenandoah.
A memorial service was held at Oravitz Funeral Home, Jardin and Lloyd Streets, Friday afternoon, where many of his friends and relatives gathered to pay respects.
West Street from Mount Vernon to Lloyd, as well as Lloyd Street from West to Jardin, was closed around 6:00pm as motorcyclists lined up, ready to give Bob a ride through his old stomping grounds in Ashland, on the way through Aristes, before ending at the Wagon Wheel.
According to his obituary, he worked at Walmart Distribution Center in addition to operating the Wagon Wheel and a contracting business. He was heavily involved in the local billiards scene, belonging to and even owning a division in pool leagues.
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