33-Year-Old Dad Dies With First Child On The Way In Somerset County, Fundraiser Started

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A fundraiser has been launched for the family of a Bridgewater-Raritan High School teacher whose 33-year-old son died on Jan. 26.

Cody Lee Blihar of Somerville died tragically this past Thursday. His wife Monica is expecting their first child this week, according to the GoFundMe started by friends and fellow teachers of Kristen Mehrbach.

"We are raising money on behalf of Monica and her soon-to-be-born son, Beau. Our hope is to alleviate the financial burden that Monica will be facing following Cody's death and the birth of their son," according to the GoFundMe.

Blihar grew up on his family’s farm in Pittstown and attended North Hunterdon High School before beginning a career in the restaurant industry.

In 2015 he met Monica and three years later they were married in Upstate New York. In 2022, after living in New York City, Arizona, and Connecticut, they returned to New Jersey to be near family when they discovered they’d be having a son, according to his obituary by Wright & Ford Funeral Home.

Bilher was described as having many gifts including the "greatest among them was his inherent ability to be fully engaged to make others feel seen, heard, and understood."

"Cody was a keen observer of people, a champion for the underdog. He moved through the world with a magnetic presence. He was wildly hilarious. He was generous to a fault. He was knowledgeable, witty, and never took himself too seriously," according to his obituary.

A private cremation was held at the Chapel of Somerset Hills Crematory. Life celebration services in the future will also be private.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish are asked to make contributions to a GoFundMe site set up by friends to support Monica, and their son, Beau.

The fundraiser has since raised just over $40,000 of its $100,000 goal since being launched on Saturday.

"We hope that these funds will help support them during the time Beau is a newborn and later on throughout his education. Any little bit helps and we know that we are a part of a strong community that can gather together to support this family," according to the GoFundMe.

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