Followup: Motorcycle rider killed on Vashon Island was West Seattle entrepreneur Patrick Lajko

The motorcycle rider killed on Vashon Island last Saturday night – a crash noted here because of the investigators’ high-profile presence at the Fauntleroy ferry dock – was a West Seattle entrepreneur, 62-year-old Patrick Lajko. Thanks to Ian for pointing out the identification published by Vashon Beachcomber.com, which reports that Mr. Lajko founded and owned CDE Software. The Junction-based company is an industry leader for bowling software. A webpage that details the company’s many successes shows Mr. Lajko with his motorcycle. The King County Sheriff’s Office says he was on northbound Vashon Highway waiting to turn left when a Vashon Island woman driving a car hit him from behind.

Wendell April 30, 2014 (12:50 pm)

My condolences to friends and family of Patrick. Godspeed brother rider.

James P. April 30, 2014 (1:42 pm)

I knew this man only thru his posts on a motorcycle oriented forum, but it was abundantly clear this was a good man, a giver, who would help anyone out – this is a great loss. Condolences to his family. He is truly missed.

jwws April 30, 2014 (2:07 pm)

I had the great fortune to meet Patrick through the WSGT where we were both 2008 gardeners and then volunteers with the tour. He was a generous spirit and loved riding his beloved “Suzie”, bowling, gardening and good wine. He will be missed by many. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and co-workers.

Aaron Thoma April 30, 2014 (4:12 pm)

Rest in peace my dear friend. rest in peace

Clay April 30, 2014 (6:29 pm)

Patrick was such a cool and generous man. I am so incredibly sad to hear this shocking news. He was a great man and a great West Seattlite

PDH April 30, 2014 (7:27 pm)

So sorry to hear this. We played with his team at WS Bowl many years ago. We always paid attn to his company after this association because of our team bowling. Our prayers to him and his family for this loss.

Mike April 30, 2014 (7:48 pm)

Sad. Glad you posted his background, it’s impressive to read about his contributions and innovations in the tech industry. To his friends and family, sorry for the loss. Always sad to read about these events.

Kendra April 30, 2014 (10:43 pm)

Patrick’s beautiful garden was on the 2008 West Seattle Garden Tour. He was an active member of the group and delighted in being our mobile “go to guy” on the day of the tour making sure everything ran smoothly. He also helped us with many printing needs. I know these things about Patrick; he loved riding his motorcycle Susie, he loved gardening, he was a kind and generous man who gave of himself without hesitation. He also had an amazing collection of arrowheads and could tell you the fascinating history of each one. He will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family, friends, and the CDE family. What a sad day.

Lina April 30, 2014 (11:23 pm)

Condolences to Patrick’s family. He was a friend of my husband’s through their mutual love of motorcycles. Patrick was generous and kind to us and he will be missed by all who knew him. We were so sad to hear of his passing, he had many gifts to give-

West Seattle GS April 30, 2014 (11:44 pm)

I’ll miss you, Patrick. I wish I could have said goodbye. We’ll always be wrenching in the Bike Cave.

Ariel G May 1, 2014 (10:55 am)

I want to acknowledge and confirm all your condolences. Patrick has been helping me for the last year with my motorcycle ever since I purchased it last May. He has helped me every step of the way and I can WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree that Patrick was a very giving soul.

I was just speaking to him the Thursday before his accident about meeting up on Sunday. Sadly I found out he was not ignoring my calls/texts on sunday but was unable to answer. Wherever he is I am sure he is riding his motorcycle and playing with kittens.

Work smarter not harder May 1, 2014 (11:10 am)

My condolences to his friends and family. He sounds like a wonderful person

Kristi M May 1, 2014 (1:22 pm)

I met Patrick when his lovely garden was on the 2008 West Seattle Garden Tour. The following year he joined the garden tour committee and he really helped, especially on garden tour day, doing whatever needed to be done that day between gardens as well as at the beneficiary event. He was happiest when he was riding his beloved motorcycle Suzie. Will miss his unique personality. Condolences to his friends, family and community.

Leo K May 1, 2014 (5:43 pm)

Had the pleasure of knowing Patrick for many years in the bowling industry and of course both of us living in West Seattle. He will be missed by the bowling industry and I personally will miss him as he was always very hospitable, very talented and overall good person.

Barry Mercer May 1, 2014 (10:25 pm)

So, what kind of citation was the woman that hit this nice man given? Was she late for the boat, talking on her phone, or just touching up her makeup?

Suzanne Fiala, MD May 2, 2014 (11:26 am)

I was one of the first responders on the scene and gave Mr. Lajko CPR until the medics arrived. However it was quite clear that it was in vain and that he had died instantly. He passed on a beautiful, sunny day, doing something he apparently loved, riding his bike.
Please know that he was not alone when he died, but surrounded by a small group of strangers who came together to lay hands on him in love and to pray for him.
It heals me to finally learn his identity, what kind of person he was, and to see photos of him smiling and well. Thank you.

Scotty May 2, 2014 (7:50 pm)

Thanks Suzanne. That helps. There is so much sadness around this for my community. To know that there were caring people at his side in those final moments helps those of us left to carry on his memory. Patrick was one of the most kind hearted, giving people I have ever met. If I can live up to one tenth his memory I will consider myself lucky.

Frank Goebel, Troy, NY May 3, 2014 (6:24 pm)

I am one of many bowling league secretaries using products that Patrick and his company developed and I frequently help others using the same. I met Patrick back in 2010 on my first visit to Washington state. His surviving colleague contacted me personally about this tragedy and I did a little looking around…it comes as no surprise that he has touched the lives of many. The bowling community are not yet aware of this (the company yet to make a public announcement, and I will refrain outside here) but I know it will hit these users quite hard, as it has me.

Beth Weilenman May 4, 2014 (1:28 pm)

Since Patrick’s FB page has been taken down, and FB won’t let me reply to private messages, I suspect this is the Patrick Lajko I met so long ago.

He was sent to the 1977 Wrld Science Fiction Convention, that year in Miami. He was garbed as Luke Skywalker – you can see his picture in Starlog’s No. 11 issue. Mine, too, with a Wookiee.

We met up waiting for our turn in the Masquerade (costume contest.) I was dressed as Princess Leia. Only one of our friends knew we’d be teaming up, one of his buddies who was in the photographer pool. We kept being pushed back, to be the “grand finale,” I guess.

We stepped out to cheers, since the first “Star Wars” movie had debuted that year and still was in theaters. We did a short presentation, including a kiss that brought more cheers, and walked off with “Best Re-Creation” and, the equivalent of best in show, we think, “Judges’ Choice.”

We never met again, but recently I found someone’s pictures of us during that memorable event, and made sure he got a copy. During one memorable event so many years ago, he and I were “stars.”

If this is, indeed, my Jedi Knight partner, then I send my love and aloha and sympathies to his friends, family and coworkers.

Scotty May 4, 2014 (5:51 pm)

Does anyone know if there will be a memorial? A fellow motorcyclist put up a little memorial photo of Patrick at the site.

WSB May 4, 2014 (7:02 pm)

Scotty, I’m hoping to hear from someone if and when one is scheduled, and we’ll publish a followup if we do … it’s clear Mr. Lajko touched many lives professionally and personally. – TR

West Seattle GS May 4, 2014 (8:36 pm)

I have been told by one who works for his company that the family is having a private ceremony. As unfortunate as that is, I urge anyone who would like to say goodbye to visit the site of his passing on Vashon.

ariel g May 5, 2014 (10:28 am)

There is a Facebook event being scheduled to go as a group to vashon. Maybe a bbq after. If you would like to join send me an email [ ariel.gutierrez01@gmail.com] and ill invite you on Facebook. We want to plan something for him since his family was unable to.

ariel g May 5, 2014 (10:32 am)

Beth I believe it was him. We find pictures of him winning a luke sky Walker contest of some kind. His brother also mentioned it.

Dave Roosevelt May 9, 2014 (11:55 am)

We knew Patrick, he was one of our customer and very known in the local motorcycle scene. He was an avid enthusiasts and did not deserve to have some inattentive person rear end him! Please tell me she was not on her cell phone!
RIP brother, ride with no limits!

Cindy May 13, 2014 (2:13 pm)

Thank you Suzanne. It has been many, many years since I have seen my cousin, but I am very glad to know that there were many praying over him. My Aunt will greatly appreciate that as well. Thank you all who have said so many nice things about him. I also remember the Luke Skywalker picture. I actually thought he was playing an extra for movie.
I remember jumping on the trampoline in his parents back yard and him doing gymnastic tricks on the horse.

Daniel Bernstein May 13, 2014 (7:52 pm)

I worked at CDE Software back in 1992-1993.

It was sad learning of his husband Ray’s sudden death some years ago, and now Patrick? At least they are together again.

May their families and friends find peace in their cherished memories.

sigrid May 14, 2014 (11:02 pm)

Just heard what happened to Patrick and am so so saddened. I too worked with him on the WSGT and he gave much. He was so creative and really enjoyed sharing his talents with others.
What is the saying, “the good die long”. so true. Patrick will be missed.

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