Beloved NJ Youth Coach Dies In I-78 Crash In NJ: Police

Oliver Mackey, 40, enjoyed being with his family and loved going to sporting events with his children – especially if it involved hockey.

Now they're mourning the New Jersey man who regularly took his kids to New Jersey Devils games and coached them as part of the "Easton Ice Hockey Family."

"Deeply saddened by the passing one of our Mites coaches, Oliver Mackey," the hockey club said. "The thoughts and prayers of the entire Easton Ice Hockey Family go out to Carrie and Oliver's entire family."

Mackey, who was engaged to be married, was identified this week as the fatal victim in a crash on I-78 on Friday, May 17, police said.

Mackey was killed around 8:48 a.m. at milepost 18.3 when his car crashed into the back of a tractor trailer, police said.

A child in the backseat, his son, was hospitalized. Traffic was backed up for 5 miles in the westbound direction.

A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled to be held for Mackey, a resident of Phillipsburg and formerly of Norwood, on Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew's Church in Norwood, according to his obituary.

Burial was scheduled for the Calvary Cemetery in Norwood following the services. Family and friends visited at the Buck Funeral Home in Norwood on Friday from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m.

Oliver is survived by his fiancé, Carrie Midgley of Phillipsburg; his three sons, Cooper Backus Mackey of Waddington, N.Y.; and Keelan Mackey and Fionn Mackey, both of Phillipsburg; and his parents, Edward and Susan Mackey of Norwood.

Susan Mackey paid tribute to her son while also saying "God and the important angels of both sides of our family helped to save our grandson's life in the horrific car accident."

His mother said there was a roll-over crash in the same area and the traffic slowed down in a hurry and "Oliver must not have realized in time." She said he slammed the breaks and clipped the back edge of the truck, which was when he lost control.

"The only seating area of his Ford Focus that anyone would have survived was where Fionn was buckled securely in his car seat," she wrote on Facebook.

Born in Potsdam, N.Y., Mackey graduated from Massena Central School in 1997. A marriage to Abigail Backus ended in a separation, according to this obituary.

He worked for CSX railroad locally and later took a position with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City as a dispatcher, according to his obituary.

"Oliver enjoyed being with his family and loved going to sporting events with his children, whether it be the New Jersey Devils hockey games or coaching his children," his obituary said.

Memorial donations in Oliver's memory can be made to charity of one's choice and memories and condolences may be shared online at www.buckfuneralhome.com. The Buck Funeral Home in Norwood is serving the family.