'Nothing He Couldn't Do': Services Set For Camden Firefighter Who Died On-Duty

CAMDEN, NJ — The veteran Camden firefighter who died after falling into an icy river last week was a mentor in and outside of work, according to Howard Bennett's loved ones.

Bennett, 60, was a firefighter for 26 years, always showing a willingness to teach younger firefighters, his obituary says. See funeral information below.

He carried that quality outside of work too.

"A skilled carpenter and patient teacher, Howard enjoyed sharing what he knew, especially with his children, nieces, and nephews, who fondly called his guidance 'life skills by Uncle Howard,'" his obituary says. "To those who knew him, there was nothing he couldn’t do."

Bennett took immense pride in Fire Boat 1, which the Camden Fire Department uses for battling blazes from the water.

His knowledge and command of the boat, which he treated as an extension of himself, were second-to-none, his obituary states.

Bennett was conducting routine maintenance for a fireboat on the Delaware River on Thursday, when he fell through the river's icy surface. He was pronounced dead at the hospital later that day.

Related articles:

• Firefighter Dies After Getting Pulled From Icy Delaware River
• Camden Firefighter Who Died After Falling Into Icy River Has Been Identified

Funeral services for Bennett are set for Wednesday at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden. Family and friends are invited to a private viewing at 11 a.m., followed by a public celebration of life at 12:30 p.m.

Personnel from many other departments will be attending.

The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey has set up an emergency-relief fund for Bennett. Click here to donate.

PFANJ shared the following schedule for services:

• Date: Wednesday, Feb. 11
• Location: Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (1 Harbour Blvd., Camden)
• 10:30 a.m.: mustering of uniformed personnel
• 11 a.m.: private family and friends viewing
• 12:20 p.m.: Camden Fire Department walk-through
• 12:30 p.m.: celebration of life

Here's Howard Bennett's obituary, shared by Mark C. Tilghman Funeral Home in Maple Shade.