By EMS1 staff
WALDWICK, N.J. — A community is in mourning after a member of a Bergen County town’s volunteer ambulance corps died.
John Papendick was driving his car in Franklin Lakes just before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday when he suffered an aortic dissection, immediately paralyzing him from the waist down, his wife, Jodi, told EMS1. Jodi Papendick said her husband managed to drive off to the side of the road to avoid hitting other vehicles.
Papendick, 58, of Waldwick, underwent a six-and-a-half-hour surgery which was ultimately successful, but his blood pressure wouldn’t come up, causing his death, his wife said.
Papendick, a dedicated member of the Waldwick Volunteer Ambulance Corps for 11 years, served in various leadership roles, including second lieutenant, captain and president, according to Borough Mayor Tom Giordano.
“John was a CPR Instructor, and a mentor to many of the members of the Corps. He led by example and dedicated himself to serving our residents. He was a generous person who put the needs of others before his own. John was a good person who would do anything for you. He will be remembered for his caring and giving heart and his legacy of service to others. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him,” Giordano said in a statement.
Papendick was a married father of three sons, according to an online obituary.
“John was a selfless leader, a mentor, and a family member to every member of the ambulance corps,” the Waldwick Volunteer Ambulance Corps said in a statement. “John’s legacy will be remembered for his unwavering dedication, compassion and countless lives he touched throughout his years of service.”
