Beloved Franklin Lakes Employee Dies, Worked 'Around The Clock' In Snowstorm

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — A beloved Franklin Lakes town employee is being mourned after he died shortly after the Jan. 26 snowstorm.

Mike DeGall, 65, was praised as a dedicated employee who worked around the clock during the storm.

"On Monday, January 26, we lost a long-time member of our Borough family," the Borough of Franklin Lakes wrote on Jan. 30. "Mike DeGall, a Franklin Lakes Department of Public Works member for over 15 years, passed away suddenly. Mike was a dedicated hard-working employee from the day he started literally to the day he died. He had been plowing the Borough’s streets just hours before his untimely death."

They added, "The Borough family and our residents benefited from Mike’s steady consistent work, his talents and ingenuity. Mike was kind and thoughtful, and would take on any task without hesitation ... The Borough family extends our deepest condolences to Mike’s wife, Kelly, and his family."

'Final Act Of Duty'

The Franklin Lakes Fire Department posted a tribute too.

"Mike, a dedicated member of the Franklin Lakes DPW who served this community for 15 years with unmatched pride, dignity and respect, unfortunately passed away far too soon," they wrote.

Mike’s final act of duty was working tirelessly around the clock during this past weekend’s snowstorm to keep our borough’s streets and sidewalks clean and safe for all of us...Thank you, Mike, for everything you gave to Franklin Lakes. You will be deeply missed. Rest easy, hero."

The storm dumped at least 11.8 inches of snow on Franklin Lakes. (See other town totals here.)

Facebook commenters said they remembered DeGall's hard work and kindness.

"I want to tell his wife and family how wonderful he was to me personally and all of us for the 9/11 memorial garden ceremony each year," wrote one woman. "He was so sweet and kind and caring. We spoke of loss each of our losses and how to cope. He was very respectful kind and he cared."

A date has not yet been announced for a Celebration of Life. His obituary is here.