No Eulogy Allowed at Funeral Mass of Tow-Truck Driver Killed in Hit-and-Run

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The funeral service for the Yonkers tow-truck driver who was killed on I-95 in a hit-and-run accident was stopped by the church’s priest when a family member tried to give a eulogy.

As the uncle of Sal Brescia, who wanted to speak about his nephew before a reading at the funeral Mass at New Rochelle’s Blessed Sacrament Church, made his way down the aisle, the priest stood at the lectern and said no eulogies were allowed, News 12 said.

Brescia, 32, was killed responding to a disabled vehicle the morning of Dec. 29 on I-95 in Harrison.

He was struck by a passing motorist, who did not stop, while loading the disabled vehicle onto his truck.

Brescia was taken to Greenwich Hospital where he died of his injuries.

The family said at no time during the planning of the service were they told eulogies could not be included.

News 12 was told by a church member that some parishes allow eulogies at funeral Masses and some don’t.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, in an article posted on the website of the Archdiocese of New York, said that a funeral Mass was an act of faith “in the power of the cross and resurrection of Jesus.”

Dolan said, while a eulogy can be meaningful, they are more appropriate at the wake, the closing of the casket or the gravesite.

He also said that if a eulogy is to be given during a funeral Mass it should be short, written out and “touch on the faith of the departed.”

New York State Crime Stoppers is offering up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or person responsible for Brescia’s death. Call the hot line at 1-866-313-TIPS or leave a confidential tip here.

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