Kevin Saharic devoted his life to public service.
The longtime Lebanon Borough Fire Chief died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 5, at the age of 62, according to his obituary from the Scarponi Funeral Home website.
Born in Red Bank, Saharic moved to Lebanon in 1974, where he would spend the rest of his life, his obituary reads. A graduate of North Hunterdon High School, he married his high school sweetheart Michele Kimberly Saharic in 1985, according to his obituary.
Saharic spent 44 years working for Tamke Tree Experts in Bernardsville he served as fleet and property manager, according to his obituary. He joined the Lebanon Fire Company when he was just a teenager and spent 23 years as fire chief. At time of his death, he was serving as captain and public safety director for the borough, his obituary reads.
He received a Medal of Valor for rescuing both a downed firefighter and a civilian during a fire, according to his obituary. Saharic was also a member of the Hunterdon County Fire Chiefs Association, a founding member of the FAST Team in Hunterdon County, and a founding member of the North Hunterdon Fire Alliance and worked with his father Lex at Sea Bright Fire Rescue, according to his obituary.
Saharic is survived by his wife, Kimberly, his parents, Lex and Hazel, his daughters, Marlaina and Ali and his five grandchildren, Blake, Matthew, Owen, Hazel and Carter, his siblings, Lisa, Mark, and Michael along with numerous other family members and friends, his obituary reads.
A GoFundMe has been set up for his wife. As of Friday, May 8, more than $10,000 has been raised.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM at the Lebanon Fire House at 88 Main St. Lebanon, NJ. He will be buried in Lebanon.
To view the fundraiser, click here.To view his obituary, click here.