'Rest, Oscar:' Metuchen Man Loved Bike, Dogs; Dies In Hit-And-Run

METUCHEN – They remembered Oscar Zanoni for being kind, for riding his bike all over town, for loving his dogs so much that he'd walk them everywhere. They loved him even more when he had his picture taken with his dying dog, smiling with the rest of the family.

Indeed, they were all family. The community considered him family, too. Oscar was the guy in town they saw at meetings, the one they'd ride their bikes with when they saw him riding his three-wheeler on the Metuchen streets.

And when he walked his dogs, they'd join him.

The Metuchen community was in mourning this weekend after the horrible accident that took Oscar's life. And it happened while he was doing one of those things he loved doing:

He was riding his bike.

They remembered Oscar as an independent spirit, one who had overcome so much after suffering from a brain aneurysm when he was 10.

And when Augie, his dog, was dying, the 44-year-old and his wife, Wendy, went to one of the best studios in town, Picture Perfect Studios, the one where many in the community go.

"We did a goodbye shoot for Augie. His time on this earth (was coming) to an end and (he was crossing) over the rainbow bridge," said Jenny Lai, owner of Picture Perfect. "Mom and dad wanted to take as many photos of him as possible."

The horrible tragedy comes as police say they found the driver of a tractor-trailer who hit and killed Oscar on Friday morning on Route 27 near Vineyard Road in Edison.

The fatal hit-and-run accident took place at 10:45 a.m. Friday on Route 27 south, near Vineyard Road, said police. Eyewitnesses said a tractor trailer struck Oscar near the Lukoil gas station at 2193 Route 27, and then left.

Oscar was hit while riding a black electric bike; he was pronounced dead at the scene from the injuries he sustained in the crash.

Metuchen Mayor Jonathan M. Busch said the town was devastated to learn of the tragic passing.

"Oscar was a friend to many in our community and was frequently seen around the borough walking the dogs he loved and riding his bike, especially downtown," Busch said.

A GoFundMe page was set up for Oscar, who used a three-wheeled bike that got upgraded to a black electric one. The Fuccile Foundation is in the process of planning something for the family as well, Busch said.

"He loved Metuchen. Most importantly, he loved Wendy and his fur babies," the GoFundMe page said. "He and (his wife Wendy Kukowski) both have health issues but chose to handle it with smiles and kindness for others."

Oscar did what he could to overcome what he was dealt with, even writing poems and reading them in public. In one poem, he poignantly noted: "I'll keep fighting even against all odds because my perseverance ain't a facade."

The GoFundMe page said Oscar felt truly blessed that he was alive and shared that with everyone. The page was set up this fundraiser to help his wife pay for funeral, living and pet expenses, noting they were a disability check family and Wendy has three dogs to care for.

"As a community we can wrap loving arms around her at this difficult time with outreach and whatever financial support you can give," the page said. "Everything matters."

Oscar was never shy sharing his ideas on ways to improve the borough and everybody's lives, Busch said. And he was never shy about doing what he could to improve his own.

"It goes without saying that we will miss his charming character and gentle soul. Our prayers are with his loved ones," Busch said.