CHATHAM TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A 24-year-old firefighter was found dead near a field Monday after he was reported missing over the weekend.
NJ.com reported that Lt. Stephen Marano was not your “typical 20-something-year-old.” He was a firefighter, worked full time and never got into any trouble, according to the report.
Lt. Marano was reported missing Saturday after his vehicle was located near a swamp. Authorities do not suspect any foul play or involvement of another person in Lt. Marano’s death, according to the report.
They have not released a suspected cause yet.
Family members say Lt. Marano was last seen leaving the fire department around 1:30 a.m. Saturday and would “have known better than to enter a potentially treacherous area alone late at night,” according to the report.
“We can’t make sense of it,” Marilyn Zara, Lt. Marano’s aunt said. The fire department, in a Facebook post, called Marano “a wonderful man, great friend and dedicated firefighter.”
They said he will “always be loved and remembered by his friends and brothers/sisters of the Green Village Fire Department” and offered condolences to his family.
“He was just a good kid who loved being a fireman,” Zara told NJ.com. “They were a very tight-knit group.”
Zara said the family had not yet finalized funeral or memorial service plan, but she had spoken to the Green Village chief and captain about the department’s role in any arrangements, according to the report.
“He’ll have full fireman’s honors,” Zara said.
Several people, including firefighters from nearby departments, left condolences on the Green Village Fire Department’s Facebook page Monday and Tuesday.
“Rest easy brother,” Andrew Ruckriegel wrote. “See you at the top floor.”