PEMBROKE, MASS. (WHDH) - The town of Pembroke came together Thursday evening for a virtual memorial to remember the lives of two young men killed in a car crash over the weekend.
The town common was transformed into a lighted memorial for Joseph Birolini, 23, of Hanson and William Hickey, 23, of Pembroke, who died when the car they were in slammed into a telephone pole and overturned on Saturday.
Each luminary was decorated with a remembrance of the two friends who, loved ones say, were more like brothers.
“They grew up together, both families. They played hockey together, they have won championships together, they have gone to school, they laughed, they loved each other,” family friend Chris Brundage said.
The two former captains of Pembroke’s hockey team led their team to victories in high school until they graduated in 2016. But, their bond began early.
“Joey and Billy were really just natural-born leaders,” said teammate Mike Fahie. “They were the best of all of us.”
A virtual remembrance of their lives was broadcast on community TV and organizers are urged mourners not to gather on the green due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Most of us coaches coach to make an impact, in kids lives,” their youth hockey coach Kevin Mariani said. “But, Billy and Joey made an impact on my life. I am a better person today having been able to coach these amazing men.”
Their funeral will be held together on Saturday and they will be buried alongside one another.
Speed and inclement weather may have been factors in the crash but an investigation remains ongoing, police said.
GoFundMe pages have been set up for the families of both Birolini and Hickey.
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