Milwaukee pastor remembered as a joyful man as the community mourns his death
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A week after his sudden death in a reckless driving accident a Milwaukee pastor is being remembered as a joyful man.
Last week 22-year-old Jose Silva allegedly ran a red light, crashing into Strong on 10th and Wells.
Strong, a Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Downtown Milwaukee, died shortly after arriving at the hospital that day.
A visitation and funeral service were held at the church on Wednesday night. Filled with prayers and hymns, Pastor Brian Hackmann said the service was a celebration of Strong's commitment to his church and his love of God.
“We’ll be comforted in knowing the race is over for Pastor Strong and he’s already there at the finish line in heaven," he said.
"He’ll be remembered as someone who had great joy, great joy in proclaiming the gospel, great joy in leading people to see Jesus and his love.”
One Milwaukee pastor touched on the way the community will remember Strong.
"I think I have talked to 100 people in the last week who knew Aaron, and every one of them used the word joy when they were describing him,” Pastor Daniel Leyrer of St. Marcus Church said.
While his loved ones mourn this sudden loss, they say his memory will never fade.
"There's a big hole in our hearts and our ministry, but everything he worked for, the message he delivered in bible classes, and sermons, was about looking to Jesus and looking forward to heaven, and we know that he’s in heaven today,” Hackmann said.
Silva, who posted his $10,000 bail, is facing a charge of second-degree reckless homicide and could spend up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Those wanting to make a memorial gift are asked to consider the Aaron Strong Memorial Fund at Grace Lutheran Church.