"I just don't think I could ever have the right words to explain the sadness I and so many people feel right now," Fair Haven Mayor Ben Lucarelli said about the death of tri-athlete and Tour de Fair Haven cyclist Cole Porter.
Porter died Wednesday night after succumbing to injuries sustained in the Tour race a couple of weeks ago.
Lucarelli ordered all Fair Haven borough flags be flown at half-mast in Porter's honor.
The mayor said he was proud to call himself a relatively new friend of Porter's and is thinking right now most of the cyclist's daughters, who he said Porter "glowed" over, and his wife, Megan.
Porter and his family lived in Shrewsbury, where he was also a fireman.
"I know that Shrewsbury will embrace the family right now and take good care of them," Lucarelli said. "It's a great little town. Cole was just one of those uniquely special people."
Porter's viewing and funeral are scheduled for Monday at Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven.
Porter family friend Tom Vogel posted the following on the PorterHouse Support Group Facebook page:
"Cole’s memorial service will take place on Monday October 7.
The viewing and funeral service will both take place at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Road (corner of Ridge and Hance), Fair Haven, NJ.
The viewing will take place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The funeral service will start at 12:00 PM. Friends and family are invited after to Shrewsbury Hose Company #1, 180 Broad Street, Shrewsbury, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, an education fund will be established for Cole’s two daughters, information on where donations can be sent will be posted."
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