Earl Stanley Seabury, 55, charitable motorcyclist

ONE OF Earl Stanley Seabury's passions was to convince people that those who rode motorcycles and belonged to motorcycle clubs are not thugs.

The club he helped found in 1987, the Twisters, donated money to children's sports teams, distributed toys to children during the holidays, fed the elderly and the homeless, among other charitable endeavors.

"He believed that if a club is located within a community, its members must be involved, making a commitment to support those within the community and the needs of the area," his family wrote in an obituary.

But on April 17, while he was doing what he loved to do, riding his motorcycle, he got into an accident at 38th Street and Girard Avenue, and he was killed almost instantly. He was 55.

Known as Byrd, he was "considered a father figure, big brother or uncle to many in and outside of the motorcycle community," his family said.

He was a long-distance truck driver and lived in West Philadelphia.

Byrd was born in Brooklyn, the 10th of the 16 children of William and Pauline Seabury. He grew up in Copiague, N.Y., and came to Philadelphia in the early '80s.

After becoming interested in motorcycling, Byrd not only helped form the Twisters, of which he was president, but was active in the formation of other biker clubs in the area.

As a member of the committee planning the National Bikers Round-Up, he was instrumental in getting the event in Pennsylvania for the first time in its 30-year history. It will be held at Roundtop in Fayette County at the end of July.

"To know Byrd was to love Byrd," his family said. "His easy smile and outgoing personality made him a legend. His business savvy and love of motorcycles and motorcyclists make him a legend in his own time.

"Byrd was known across the country by riding to many functions and meeting people near and far. The outpouring of love that was shown the night after his untimely death showed the far-reaching touch of this great man."

He is survived by his longtime partner, Janice McClease; two daughters, Victoria Springs and Gennayia Seabury; a son, Earl Seabury Jr.; five sisters, Valerie Seabury, Pauline Seabury, Linda Burton, Tracey Seabury and Henrietta Truden; six brothers, David, Alex, Christopher, Jonathan, Paul and Jeffery; and nine grandchildren.

Services: 10 a.m. tomorrow at Triumph Baptist Church, 1648 W. Hunting Park Ave. Friends may call at 4 p.m. today at the Mitchum-Wilson Funeral Home, 1410 S. 20th St., and 9 a.m. tomorrow at the church. Burial will be in Fernwood Cemetery. *