Paul Surgen Obituary, Death: Florence man identified as pedestrian killed in Big Y parking lot accident.
Paul Surgen Obituary, Death – A pedestrian who was struck and killed by a vehicle in the Big Y parking lot on North King Street has been identified as Paul Surgen, a 77-year-old man from Florence. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, around 3:30 p.m., when Surgen was walking on the road near the sidewalk in front of the grocery store. A car traveling along the lane in front of Big Y struck him from behind.
The driver of the vehicle, a 61-year-old woman from Northampton, remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. According to the Northwestern district attorney’s office, the woman’s license was suspended immediately, as required by state law in motor vehicle fatalities that are under investigation.
Surgen was rushed to the hospital but later died from the injuries sustained in the collision. Known for his long-standing service and community involvement, Surgen had worked for 35 years as a postal service worker. He leaves behind a brother, four children, and two grandchildren. His obituary notes that he was a proud Army veteran, frequently offering assistance and resources to fellow veterans in need.
In addition to his postal work, Surgen was deeply involved in local sports, particularly baseball and softball. He had coached youth teams for many years and was a former player for Northampton High School’s baseball team. Described as a “trusted friend” and “role model,” Surgen was a well-respected and influential member of his community, known for his wisdom, generosity, and strength.
A funeral service for Surgen has been scheduled for December 3. The incident is still under investigation by multiple authorities, including the Northampton police, State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office, and state troopers from the Crime Scene Services Section and Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.
This tragic event adds to the growing concern over pedestrian safety in the area, particularly on Fern Valley Road, where a number of similar accidents have occurred this year. Authorities are continuing to investigate all aspects of the crash to determine the cause and any potential contributing factors.
