Family, Friends Mourn After Accident Claims Life Of South Jersey Man

By Steve Patterson

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, N.J., (CBS) -- Authorities say a man is dead after the lawn mower he was riding caught fire Sunday afternoon in Springfield Township, Burlington County.

His wife spoke exclusively with CBS 3 Eyewitness News.

"Roger was our saint, our helper, our teacher," she said.

And now, her angel.

For the first time in a very long time, after 57 years of marriage, Tedda is without Roger.

"I don't know, we're still all in shock, we don't know how to react," she said.

Friends and family mourning the loss of 79-year-old retired firefighter and community pillar Roger Lippincott.

Police say at about 2 p.m. Sunday Lippincott was mowing the front lawn when his lawn mower suddenly combusted and caught on fire. Roger suffered severe burns and died at the scene.

Tedda says all she could do was hope her husband left quickly.

"This was over in a flash, I hope it was instantaneous. I just don't know what happened," she said.

Less than a mile away, black bunting at the Springfield Township Fire Company.

"He was very involved with the community," said Springfield Township Fire Chief Brian Kokotajlo.

Chief Kokotajlo remembers a man who served as a first responder, township emergency manager, and a man who trained generations of firefighters.

"We have several members who actually grew up from being little kids with Roger, it's going to be a big loss with him not being around," said Chief Kokotajlo.

And a big loss at home for a beloved father, husband, and lifelong friend.

"He has many, many friends," said his wife.

There is no word on what caused the lawn mower to combust. The New Jersey State Police is leading the investigation.