Team Kevin Fitz takes up Challenge

One of the last times Norwood native Rich Power saw his cousin and former Mission Hill state representative Kevin Fitzgerald prior to his death in October from sarcoma, his elder cousin gave him a piece of advice: Smile more.

Power, a former School Committee member and former chief of staff for House Majority Leader John Rogers, intends to take that advice to heart next month.

Despite not having ridden a bike in decades, he will be part of Team Kevin Fitz as members make a two-day, 163-mile bike ride from Wellesley to Provincetown as part of the Pan-Mass Challenge.

Smiling and 163-mike bike rides may seem inherently at odds, but Power said he never hesitated to join the effort in memory of his cousin, who died at 57.

Power's first order of business was buying a bike and getting into a riding regime. Since March, he has been training for the two-day, 163-mile trek, while also raising more than $4,000 for cancer research and treatment for the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute.

Although he's never been a biking enthusiast, Power said it was a natural fit to join the team, which consists of family members and friends of the former representative.

Boston Police Officer Ward Johnson, whose wife, Karen, worked for Fitzgerald for 20 years, started the team, which now has more than a dozen members. The team itself, Power said, is a testimony to Fitzgerald.

"He was more than 15 years older than me, but he was the type of person who forged friendships that transcended age," said Power. "He gravitated toward people and people gravitated toward him."

Johnson, who has participated in two previous Pan-Mass Challenges, said starting a team in Fitzgerald's memory was a natural decision.

"The PMC is very inspirational," said Johnson. "Everyone who has ridden in the PMC knows it's a great way to help others, and that's what Kevin did throughout his life."

Power said his elder cousin had always been a mentor and great friend to him and recalls one piece of advice Fitzgerald gave him before he died.

"He was always talking about his life experiences and said it's not about the destination, it's about the journey," Power said.

Power is taking the same approach to the Pan-Mass Challenge.

"I know at some point, I'm going to get to Provincetown - I don't know when, but I know I'll get there, so I'm going to focus on the journey," said Power, who said he's been training by doing the Cape Cod rail trail, a roughly 45-mile loop. "This is a ride, not a race."

Power said Pan-Mass Challenge was also interesting to him because of its great reputation and the fact that 100 percent of the money raised goes directly to Dana-Farber.

"A lot of times with these things all your money doesn't go necessarily where you want it to go," said Power, who now works for CISCO Systems in Boxborough.

The Pan-Mass Challenge has raised more than $204 million for cancer research and treatment since its inception in 1980. Organizers this year hope to raise more than $34 million, and Team Kevin Fitz as of last week was closing in $56,000, with each member required to raise $1,300 to $4,000.

Power said he has reached the $4,000 threshold and hopes to raise an additional $1,000.

Anybody wishing to help Team Kevin Fitz can do so by making a check out to the Pan-Mass Challenge at 77 Fourth Ave. Needham, MA 02494, or by accessing the donation section of the Pan-Mass Challenge Web site: www.pmc.org.

Power said anybody wishing to donate can do so, but he said he hopes would-be donors consider helping other teammates reach their fundraising minimums before giving in his name.

Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or at bfalla@cnc.com