Michael Kenwood | Town Topics

Broadway Performers Star In Michael Kenwood Concert Benefitting His Family, PFARS

Just before the funeral for Michael Kenwood, the volunteer emergency medical technician who died in the line of duty during Hurricane Irene last August, performers from a theatrical organization with which Mr. Kenwood and his family had close ties offered to present a musical tribute to him at the service.

Mr. Kenwood’s family declined the gracious offer at the time. But to mark the year that has passed since the tragedy, the family has invited the group, Broadway Sings, to present a tribute concert celebrating Mr. Kenwood’s life and legacy. The concert, to be held September 23 at Princeton High School’s Performing Arts Center, will benefit Mr. Kenwood’s family as well as the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad (PFARS).

A separate event to honor Mr. Kenwood and mark the one-year anniversary of his passing will be held at 11 a.m. August 28 by PFARS at Greenway Meadows park, 275 Rosedale Road. A reception will follow at the PFARS building, 237 North Harrison Street. The public is invited to attend. Those interested are asked to RSVP by emailing memorial@pfars.org.

For the September concert, which will include a silent auction, the singers are donating their talents. “These performers are not wannabees,” says Martin Kenwood, Mr. Kenwood’s father. “They have all performed on Broadway, every one of them, and they are excellent.”

The Kenwood family’s connection to the performers goes back a few years to a restaurant in Totowa called Tortina’s, where performers from Broadway and national touring productions would often entertain. Michael Kenwood’s parents, who are fans of musical theater, were regular customers. “We were so impressed that we returned every week,” Mr. Kenwood said. “We had a table reserved for us. We just had to let them know how many people we’d have with us. Michael joined us when he could, and lots of other people did, too.”

A real estate investor and property manager who lives in Paramus, Mr. Kenwood soon became friendly with the performers and proprietors, and offered his services to the group that would eventually become Broadway Sings. Michael Kenwood, an attorney by profession who owned a technology consulting company, also lent his expertise to the organization. “Michael formed a corporation for them, filed the trade name, and trademarked the name. So he was instrumental from the get-go,” his father said.

It was while attempting to reach a submerged vehicle last August 28 that Mr. Kenwood was swept away after losing his footing. Only 39, he died from the injuries he sustained, leaving behind his wife and young daughter.

Peter Simon, president of PFARS, said he knew how much Broadway Sings meant to the Kenwood family when he began thinking about planning a tribute. “I started talking with the producer a few months ago. I knew this would be a wonderful opportunity to turn the page from a year of mourning to more of a celebration of who Michael was and what his legacy is,” he said. “This is not a sad, mournful event. It is an event to celebrate what a fantastic person he was.”

Silent auction items at the concert will include Broadway tickets, collectors items, and local goods and services. Tickets are $30 and $75. Corporate sponsorships are available. Visit www.pfars.org or michaelkenwood.brownpapertickets.com, email info@pfars.org, or call (609) 924-3338.

Rep. Rush Holt Co-Sponsors Bill That Would Help Kenwood Family

The death of Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad (PFARS) volunteer Michael Kenwood last August during tropical storm Irene was a tragedy for his young family. The 39-year-old emergency medical and rescue technician left a wife, Beth, and daughter, two-year-old Laney, as well as extended family members, friends, and colleagues.

This sad situation was compounded when it was revealed that, under current law, Mr. Kenwood’s family was not eligible for federal death benefits because he was a volunteer member of a non-profit organization. This did not sit well with Representative Rush Holt [D-12], who has been working on behalf of the Kenwood family and others to change the legislation.

Mr. Holt has co-sponsored the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act of 2012, which passed the House on June 27 and is now pending in the Senate. The bill was introduced on February 14 by Representative Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA). In his remarks on June 26, Mr. Holt said the legislation would expand federal benefits programs for those who volunteer for fire departments and rescue squads and are injured or killed in the line of duty. “Quite simply, it is the right thing to do,” he said. “I am glad to see this bill being brought to the floor and I urge my colleagues to support it today.”

It was during the early morning hours of August 28, 2011, that PFARS was called to the scene of a vehicle submerged in raging floodwaters near Rosedale Road, with occupants possibly trapped inside. Mr. Kenwood, trained since college as an emergency worker, entered the water tied to his partner in an attempt to reach the stranded car. When they realized that the current was too strong and tried to turn back, Mr. Kenwood lost his footing and was pulled into the current. He was unconscious and not breathing when he was recovered downstream, and died later that day. The submerged car turned out to be empty.

“Michael’s sacrifice would be no different if he had been a member of a paid fire department or EMS agency, and federal law should treat it as such,” Mr. Holt said in his remarks. “When he was called to enter those floodwaters, Michael did not stop to think, ‘I don’t get paid for this — should I do this?’ He answered the call just like thousands upon thousands of others do each and every day, risking their lives in the service of others, regardless of whether or not they are paid.”

Mr. Kenwood’s name was added last month to the National EMS Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At an annual service there, men and women of the country’s Emergency Medical Services who have given their lives in the line of duty are honored and remembered.

“Michael took time away from work, friends, and family to make sure his community was protected and that those in need got prompt, professional emergency medical care,” said PFARS President Peter Simon, in an email this week. “Ironically, because the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad is a non-profit, independent organization, our members do not qualify for the Public Safety Officers Benefit — a flaw with the current program that will hopefully be corrected. We appreciate the efforts of everyone working diligently to see that this bill is championed and passed so that the true heroes of our community, like Michael Kenwood, get the respect they deserve. And more importantly, the families of these fallen heroes get the support they need.”

Mr. Kenwood’s widow, Beth, said she is thankful for Mr. Holt’s efforts. “I am deeply grateful for Representative Holt’s support and his dedication to getting the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Improvements Act passed,” she said in an email. “I appreciate Mr. Holt and the many others who continue to remember and recognize the sacrifice Michael made and the ongoing struggles our family faces in the wake of Michael’s death.”