Man Killed After Tree He Was Cutting Fell On Him In Sussex: Cops

Family and friends were grieving the death of a New Jersey man this week who was killed when a tree fell on him, police said.

Stephen Race, 64, of Lafayette was using a chainsaw to cut a tree on Sunday near his home on Beaver Run when it fell on him, police said.

Race was found by a neighbor at 7:35 p.m. while he was under the tree, police said. Race was pronounced dead at the scene.

Race was alone at the time, police said. His death is not considered suspicious.

"It is with a heavy heart we share the news of Steve's passing," his family wrote on his Facebook page. "He was loved and respected by many and we will surely miss his contagious smile and infectious laughter."

His Facebook page said he was the owner/president of RHM Technology.

Race opposed a proposed cell tower in Lafayette several years ago and told The New Jersey Herald that he was concerned about his family's safety because of radio frequency waves and potential fires.

Race was living with his wife, Donna, and their then-8-year-old Amelya, saying that should a fire break out at the cell tower on his property, "I could lose my wife and daughter before the fire department even gets here," accoding to The New Jersey Herald.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Moritz Funeral Home, 98 Rt 303, in Tappan, NY, on Saturday, March 16th from 2 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to his daughter's college scholarship fund at Muriel Siebert & Company.

"If anyone has pictures showing Steve's personality they would like to share at the service," the family said, "please send them to Kate.Dauphinee@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Thursday."

"We all thank you for your well wishes and condolences but ask for privacy during this difficult time," the family said.