A bike ride and online fundraiser in memory of a former Arlington fire captain and paramedic hopes to raise money to find a cure for cancer. 

Jeffrey Pells, from Poughkeepsie, died from leukemia in January at the age of 63 after 34 years of service with the Arlington Fire Department.

His longtime colleague, Dutchess County EMS Coordinator John Mahoney, is now dedicating a 100-mile “Team in Training” bike ride in Lake Tahoe in June that he organized to his memory. 

He hopes the ride, along with his Facebook fundraiser, will raise thousands toward finding a cure. 

“I would have preferred if we sat here, and he was here to know that I was doing it. That’s one of the inspirations that I keep going," said Mahoney.