Dozens of people reflected on Saturday about someone who died in a house fire earlier this week.
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>>PHOTOS: 1 dead after house fire in Riverside
As reported on Saturday News Center 7 at 11amthe family of 64-year-old Kenneth “Kenny” Young was still shocked by what had happened.
Riverfront firefighters responded to the 2500 block of Rondowa Avenue just before 5:30 a.m. for the first reports of a house fire, according to an earlier report from News Center 7.
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His daughter told him Malik Patterson of News Center 7 on Saturday. She wanted to remember her father as a man who always smiled.
“My father was a loving, fun and free-spirited soul who truly lived every moment to the fullest,” said Nicky Young. “He was a rock star.”
Through the tears, Patterson said Nicky and others had a chance to smile and laugh while hanging on to the jokes Kenny would make.
“I actually laugh when I think of him probably being up there saying, ‘Look at the news.’ Cover me. I’m so cool. They are there to cover up my death,” she said.
>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Coroner identifies 64-year-old man killed in Riverside house fire
Although Wednesday morning came so quickly for the family, Nick said she was happy to be able to take her father on his first and last vacation.
“(I) took him to Ocean City, Maryland for his birthday, Labor Day, and he had a blast,” she told Patterson.
>>ORIGINAL COVERAGE: Man dead after house fire in Riverside
The family said they will keep alive his tradition of always wearing a bandana.
“(With) photos he will live on for a long time. He impressed everyone he met,” said Nicky.
The family is still raising money to plan Kenny’s funeral.
Patterson said he didn’t have health insurance, but they’re finding a way.
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