Parked in the corner of the Shaw's parking lot on Eastern Avenue is a Beauport Ambulance - yet the rescue transport is without a driver.
The ambulance, covered in signs, flowers and balloons, is a memorial to Richard Powers, 45, a Beauport Ambulance paramedic who died Monday evening from a heart attack while on duty at Beauport headquarters on Pond Road.
"He really was the all-around greatest guy you could ever meet," said John Morris, president of Beauport Ambulance Service. "He came here and he died doing what he loved best. I want him to be honored as much as he can be - to the fullest, he deserves it all."
The memorial will stay put until Tuesday. Powers' ambulance will take part in his funeral precession today in Cambridge. Another Beauport Ambulance served as a memorial in the parking lot yesterday afternoon and will again today.
Powers had only worked for Beauport for a year, and although he did not disclose his heart condition, he only missed one day of work, because of pneumonia. He had 24 years of paramedic experience and 28 years as an emergency medical technician.
"He's well-known statewide," Morris said. "He was one of the smartest guys. He was a great employee, and a great family man."
After coming back to the station after a 7:30 p.m. call Monday, Powers was on the phone with his girlfriend, when he stopped talking to her. His girlfriend called the dispatcher at the station, and asked to be transferred to the room he was in downstairs. After Powers didn't pick up, the dispatcher went downstairs to find Powers motionless on an air mattress.
Powers was close to the tail-end of working his second 24-hour shift in a row. Since all Beauport Ambulances were out at the time, Powers' partner did everything in his power to revive Powers while an Gloucester Fire Department ambulance was on its way. His partner continued to work on Powers in the ambulance on the way to Addison Gilbert Hospital. He was pronounced dead a little before 10 p.m. Monday at the hospital.
"Beauport won't be the same without this gentleman - that's how much he affected us here," Morris said.
Powers is survived by an 11-year-old daughter, Samantha Powers of Cambridge, and his dog, Bizmarck. Powers had a tattoo of his dog on his arm, and brought him to Beauport during every shift. But the man co-workers referred to as the "Beauport Teddy Bear," really loved his daughter.
The ambulance, covered in signs, flowers and balloons, is a memorial to Richard Powers, 45, a Beauport Ambulance paramedic who died Monday evening from a heart attack while on duty at Beauport headquarters on Pond Road.
"He really was the all-around greatest guy you could ever meet," said John Morris, president of Beauport Ambulance Service. "He came here and he died doing what he loved best. I want him to be honored as much as he can be - to the fullest, he deserves it all."
The memorial will stay put until Tuesday. Powers' ambulance will take part in his funeral precession today in Cambridge. Another Beauport Ambulance served as a memorial in the parking lot yesterday afternoon and will again today.
Powers had only worked for Beauport for a year, and although he did not disclose his heart condition, he only missed one day of work, because of pneumonia. He had 24 years of paramedic experience and 28 years as an emergency medical technician.
"He's well-known statewide," Morris said. "He was one of the smartest guys. He was a great employee, and a great family man."
After coming back to the station after a 7:30 p.m. call Monday, Powers was on the phone with his girlfriend, when he stopped talking to her. His girlfriend called the dispatcher at the station, and asked to be transferred to the room he was in downstairs. After Powers didn't pick up, the dispatcher went downstairs to find Powers motionless on an air mattress.
Powers was close to the tail-end of working his second 24-hour shift in a row. Since all Beauport Ambulances were out at the time, Powers' partner did everything in his power to revive Powers while an Gloucester Fire Department ambulance was on its way. His partner continued to work on Powers in the ambulance on the way to Addison Gilbert Hospital. He was pronounced dead a little before 10 p.m. Monday at the hospital.
"Beauport won't be the same without this gentleman - that's how much he affected us here," Morris said.
Powers is survived by an 11-year-old daughter, Samantha Powers of Cambridge, and his dog, Bizmarck. Powers had a tattoo of his dog on his arm, and brought him to Beauport during every shift. But the man co-workers referred to as the "Beauport Teddy Bear," really loved his daughter.
"His daughter was his pride and joy," Morris said. "There's something extra special about Rick's relationship with his daughter."
Morris said that if Powers had only $5 left in his pocket, he would have given it to his daughter. Beauport has set up a memorial fund in Samantha's name, through Rockport National Bank.
"He would want to ensure that she got a college education," Morris said.
Donations to the Samantha Powers Foundation can be made at the Rockport National Bank.
Powers' wake occurred yesterday at Keefe Funeral Home in Cambridge. His funeral Mass will be celebrated today at 10 a.m. at St. John's Church in Cambridge, and he will be buried at Cambridge Cemetery. All Beauport ambulances, except the memorial ambulance, will partake in the funeral precession. American Medical Response ambulances will be covering for Beauport in case of emergencies.
Powers loved the Cape Ann area and will surely be missed.
"I'm going to miss him a lot," said Lisa Devlin, an employee at Beauport. "I admire his strength and perseverance - he moved forward during times when he may or may not have been feeling well."
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