South Jersey crossing guard being remembered as a hero, family says he'll always be missed

BURLINGTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- A memorial continues to grow feet away from where Bruce Morlack, 74 was hit and killed.

The beloved crossing guard was tragically hit and killed by a car while on the job. He was helping two kids cross the street.

The incident was caught on surveillance video.

It happened around 7:20 a.m. Friday near Burlington City High School.

Video shows him entering the crosswalk with a stop sign raised, helping a few students cross Jacksonville Road.

Then a red vehicle drives through - narrowly missing Morlack - and the kids jump out of the way.

Then, a white car approaches and strikes the Morlack. The children make it to the other side of the street. The driver of the white car pulls over and gets out of the car.

He's being remembered for many things but most importantly, a hero.

"We love him, we miss him, we'll always miss him. He would give anybody anything to help if they wanted it. Never asked for anything in return," explained his sister Sandy Wheatley.

She said after he retired he needed something to do, so he became a crossing guard- and he loved it.

"He said I'll be a crossing guard, he's done that for about five years. We used to laugh... we go by and wave, he waves to everybody. Everybody was important to him," noted Wheatley.

She said he was a loving father, brother, and grandfather.

When he wasn't spending time with his family he was at the Tankard Lounge.

A reserved spot at the bar marks where he used to sit.

"We set up his bud, and pool stick. So that's exactly where he would sit everyday and spend the time by himself he had a lot of friends here," said Zanette Stewart a bartender at Tankard.

Stewart has known Bruce for years she said he was loved by many, and had a passion for pool and music.

"I'd d see him every morning at that stop playing a harmonica, I'd wave at him," she said.

Tankard Lounge is holding an open mic night in his memory. It's scheduled for Wednesday night, sign ups start at 7 p.m.