Many of those who knew Frank Powell echoed the sentiments of others when they spoke of his heart of gold, devotion to firefighting and willingness to help others.
Powell was riding his motorcycle when he crashed on Greenwood Lake Turnpike in Ringwood near the Monksville Reservoir shortly after 6:30 p.m. Sunday, police said.
Officers administered CPR, trying to revive Powell, while summoning a medical chopper.
EMS workers who arrived soon after pronounced him dead and the chopper was cancelled.
Powell was the youngest employee at Grand Motor Sales, co-worker Jess Myers wrote.
“You were too young and didn’t enjoy your life to the fullest,” Myers noted. “You will always be in our hearts and never forgotten.”
A YouTube video includes the long line of mourners visiting the home of Gary and Geri Powell on Monday, as well as a roadside tribute to Frank.
"The amount of love all the kids have shown is amazing," wrote one mom, Staci Wade. "They were lined up around the block in their vehicles, mostly trucks. The cross is beautiful and has the signatures of his friends.“
"Frank was such a kind, caring, loving, and respectful young man," wrote another, Mary Del Bagno-Stately. "He always had a smile on his face and was always so carefree and happy,”
“My heart is broken by your passing,” close friend Sam Guido wrote. “You had a heart of gold, you would help anyone, I just can’t put into words how badly you will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing you.”
They included Kim Gomolla Checinski, who was Powell’s Cub Scout leader for five years.
“He went to school with my oldest,” Checinski wrote. “[His parents] are 2 of the nicest people you will ever meet and it showed in how they raised their son. Frankie was so respectful and an awesome kid who grew into a great adult.”
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A GoFundMe for the Powell family was organized Tuesday night by Kiley Kesenheimer of Ringwood.
TO DONATE: Remembering Frank A Powell
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