SEASIDE PARK, NJ – A New Jersey woman is mourning the loss of her boyfriend, who was fatally struck by lightning at Seaside Park as he attempted to warn children about an approaching thunderstorm. Patrick Dispoto, 59, died tragically while performing a selfless act aimed at safeguarding others.
Ruth Fussell, Dispoto’s girlfriend, recounted their final moments together on the beach on Sunday. As they prepared to leave due to worsening weather, Dispoto returned to the shoreline to alert a group of children playing in the water.
Despite Fussell’s protests, Dispoto felt compelled to ensure the children were aware of the imminent danger. After ensuring Fussell was safely inside his truck, he went back towards the beach. When he did not return her calls, Fussell’s concern grew, leading her to discover Dispoto face down in the sand, with a bystander attempting to aid him. Despite immediate CPR efforts, emergency medical services pronounced him dead at the hospital, a victim of the lightning strike, confirmed by Seaside Park police.
The devastating incident highlights ongoing safety concerns. Seaside Park recently approved a $50,000 initiative for three lightning warning systems to provide earlier alerts of lightning threats.
Fussell remembers Dispoto as someone who never missed a chance to help others, a quality that defined his final moments.