Dozens of motorcyclists rode their bikes on Saturday to remember a Marine recruit who was found dead earlier this week.
More than 100 motorcyclists rode from Saugus to Winthtop to support Joey Brancato's family and to remember the 21-year-old.
Brancato had been missing since November, and earlier this week his body was found in a wooded area off I-95 South in Canton.
His brother chose to end the ride in Winthrop because Joey loved fishing and being out in the water.
Friends remembered Joey fondly, and made sure he got the sendoff he deserved.
"This is him, this is everything he lived for, he would've absolutely loved this," said Matt Delehanty, a friend.
“Joey only wanted to be a marine and most of us are vets and we wanted to show that even though he never got to go into the service he was sworn in as a Marine," said David Raymond.
They said that, after months of worry and uncertainty, it's time to lay their friend to rest.
"It's a little bit of a relief that we know where he is and he is in a good place," said Mike Skoczlas, a friend. "It was heartbreaking, everyday - we knew our friend was out there, we didn't know where."
As far as authorities know, Brancato was last seen in November by his Marines recruiter Frank Lipka.
Brancato and Lipka lived together in his Roslindale apartment.
Lipka is currently jailed for unrelated charges, but is considered a person of interest in Brancato's disappearance.
Today's ride also raised more than $700 to help pay for Brancato's funeral costs.
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