'Our Belly Laugh:' Beloved Asbury Park Bartender Dies In Fire

ASBURY PARK – Michael Jennings made you laugh so hard, it hurt. He was so funny that friends just called him this: "Our belly laugh."

And when you went to Johnny Mac House of Spirits in Asbury Park, you could always count on him being there, the man with a smile so warm that he didn't even need to make a joke. Just looking at him, friends say, made you grin.

Now Michael is gone, the victim of a tragedy in Ocean Grove. And two communities are weeping, almost not believing that they won't see that warm smile anymore.

"In the wake of this unexpected loss, we laughed, we cried, we remembered, and we tried, Johnny Mac House of Spirits wrote on its Facebook page. "We tried to think it wasn’t real... but he never came back through that bar door."

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office says it's investigating the fire that killed Jennings, who was 52. He was transported to a local hospital on Thursday where he was pronounced dead, according to the MCPO.

Jennings was located inside his apartment which he shared with his wife, Catherine Jennings, also 52, when the fire occurred. Catherine was in critical condition with injuries suffered in the blaze, the MCPO said.

The fire is deemed not to be suspicious but an investigation is ongoing, prosecutors said.

A GoFundMe page was set up to raise money for the family, saying Micheal lost his life when his apartment that he shares with his wife, Catherine, caught fire.

The page said Micheal left behind two daughters, Siobhan and Danielle.

"During this very tough time for the Jennings family, we would greatly appreciate if you can help alleviate the financial burden associated with the repatriation of Michael to his home in Mayo, Ireland along with all other financial and medical bills associated," the page said.

Johnny Macs noted that anyone who knew Michael "knows the only thing bigger than his smile was his heart."

"Michael always had the most positive outlook on life, and we try to continue that for him today," the business said.

Johnny Macs said the bar is "a family and a second home to many of us. In this extended family Micheal is our Irish mascot, our warm smile on Sunday Mornings, our belly laugh just when we need it, our best dressed bartender EVERY Halloween, our jokester, and our helping hand."

The bar then quoted a "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep," a poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye:

"Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there… I do not sleep.
I am the thousand winds that blow…
I am the diamond glints on snow…
I am the sunlight on ripened grain…
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you waken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of gentle birds in circling flight…
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry—
I am not there… I did not die."