Forked River Utility Worker's Death Ruled an Accident

The death of the Forked River man who was electrocuted while on the job for Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) has been ruled an accident, officials said.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced its findings on Saturday, one day after on Friday morning.

After CPR was performed on Grande, he was transported by ground to CentraState Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, Monmouth County Director of Investigations Marc LeMieux previously said.

The Prosecutor's Office simply looks at the criminality involved in the incident, First Assistant Prosecutor Richard E. Incremona said. Although there was no indication of a crime, Grande's file is not closed. The underlying cause of the accident will be investigated by outside agencies.

JCP&L employees are well trained, spokesman Todd Schneider said. Grande, an apprentice lineman, had graduated from Brookdale Community College in 2012, where he studied at FirstEnergy’s Power Studies Institute.

“We focus on safety on the job every day. This was just a tragic accident,” Schneider said. “We’re deeply saddened by the loss of our coworker. Our prayers are with the family.”

Schneider could not comment on the accident due to ongoing investigations by county and federal officials. He added that JCP&L is conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine exactly what the situation was that caused the incident.

as a “good friend, “great guy” and the “best neighbor,” according to posts on Facebook.

Johnny Uveges said Grande was not a friend but family.

“To sum it all up, Rich was a down to earth simple man enjoying every day as if it was his last. There was not one bad bone is his body. Always a smile on his face. All around great friend! Always helping everyone out,” Robert Diego Schedeman said on Facebook.

“Mamma Grande,” who has now taken over posting on Rich Grande’s Facebook page, said he will be an “unique angel.”

A 2010 Lacey Township High School graduate, Grande received a gold letter in track and field, according to his obituary. He also was an avid hockey fan, was captain of the International Junior Hockey League Trenton Habs and was certified to coach.

“When Richard wasn't playing hockey, he loved spending time with his friends and family. Richard's smile and infectious laugh lit up every room he was in,” the obituary said.

Grande also enjoyed big trucks, country music, fishing, boating and hunting, the obituary said.

Lacey Township School District counselors will be available to aid students in the grieving process from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact the high school at 609-971-2020 for more information.

He is survived by his parents Thomas and Angela Grande of Lacey, and his brother Johnathan. He also leaves his grandmother, Mary Ann Crispin of Toms River; his aunts and uncles, Nick and Lisa, Vinny and Carol, Mike and Liz, Marlene and Jose, Teresa and Kevin, Barbara and Rocco, and Charles and Marybeth; his cousins; Tracy, Mark, Karen, Jennifer, Christopher, Samantha, Matthew, Michael Thomas, Christopher, Scott, Elizabeth, Ashley, Brianna, Nicky, and Tommy. Richard is predeceased by his grandparents, Betty and Armel Pinsonneault and Richard C. Crispin. 

Visitation for Grande will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Silverton Memorial Funeral Home at 2482 Church Road in Toms River. His burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Pius the Tenth Parish in Forked River.

Grande’s obituary asks for people to arrive at the funeral home at 8:30 a.m. Cremation will be private.