Alex Popov Obituary, Death; – A 19-year-old resident of Fair Lawn has been identified as the individual who tragically lost his life in a collision on Thanksgiving Eve on Route 208, leaving his family and community in deep sorrow.
Alex Popov, a second-year computer science student at Bergen Community College, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred near the ramp to southbound Route 208 from Saddle River Road, according to authorities. The rollover incident took place beneath the highway overpass, and despite the swift response from emergency personnel, Popov was declared deceased before his family could arrive.
His relatives reported hearing sirens that evening. After several unanswered phone calls and a halt in location updates, they hurried to the site, where they were informed of his passing, as stated in a fundraiser. Loved ones remembered Popov as a vibrant young man with “unique energy and a beautiful soul.” His obituary noted that he had a passion for bicycling, computer gaming, and martial arts, and had recently taken up chess, a pursuit that complemented his “sharp mind and patient personality.” He approached all his interests “with enthusiasm, determination, and an ambitious spirit,” the obituary highlighted.
What his family will cherish most, they said, is his kindness. He was recognized for his quiet strength, warm smile, and his ability to make others feel appreciated. “He listened carefully, cared deeply, and was always willing to help,” his obituary states.
Popov is survived by his parents, Oleksiy and Tatiana Matvienko, as well as his sisters, Mariya and Katerina Popova. He also leaves behind grandparents in Ukraine and numerous friends who, according to his family, “will forever remember the joy and kindness he brought into their lives.”
As family members confront funeral expenses and the loss of his vehicle, a GoFundMe campaign established to assist them has raised over $14,000 as of December 2. Contributions continue to come in from friends, neighbors, and members of the wider Fair Lawn community.
“Any support will help ease their burden,” the organizers stated, emphasizing that the family is concentrating on healing while honoring Popov.
