You could see the pain overflowing in their eyes. Family and friends gathered together outside Jack's Auto Sales comforting each other trying to ease the pain of John "Jack" Blitchford's death.
The 84-year-old father of four died Sunday morning. Fire ravaged his Frankford home and business.
"Jack had the biggest heart that there was," teared Babette Wilson. "He helped everybody."
David Mausolf called him the father he's never had. He says Jack rescued him from a cemetery. He's just one of the many homeless people Jack gave a home in the back of his building.
"Jack has got a heart I can't describe how big it is. He's the best man I've ever met in my life."
The 84-year-old Blitchford is described as a pillar of the community and longtime owner of Jack's Auto Sales on Frankford.
Fire raced through the two-story building around 8 a.m. Sunday morning.
It sent a cloud of smoke into the air and Leroy Adams running for his life.
"I hollered for him but he can't hear to well."
Adams served with jack in the Navy and was living with his longtime friend when the fire broke out. He escaped -- but not before it singed his hair and burned his hands.
"I was in the bedroom and smelled smoke and I got out and seen fire so I got the hell out as fast as I could."
Firefighters rescued Jack from the floor of his bedroom. He was taken to Temple Hospital where he died hours later.
Blitchford's son hopes his father will be remembered for his huge heart, compassion and the life long lessons he taught him.
"For everybody to get along and love one another and live by his motto and give everyone a chance. Try to look after one another," John Blitchford III explained.
Sunday, June 16 2013 10:19 AM EDT2013-06-16 14:19:08 GMT
"We're glad to help. The best thing we did was build this thing (Margaritaville) in Atlantic City," Jimmy Buffet took the stage with those words, then started belting out his famous tunes, christening
Jimmy Buffet performed to thousands of people kick starting the summer beach season. His new Margaritaville is part of one resorts plan to appeal to more people.
Saturday, June 15 2013 10:22 AM EDT2013-06-15 14:22:47 GMT
Marching from Love Park to Governor Corbett's Center City office--students, teachers, parents and members of the faith based community chanted the words they held up on one of their signs: "SOS: Save Our
Philadelphia City Schools is facing a $300 million dollar deficit. Marchers took their message to Governor Corbett's office, hoping the district will be fully funded
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:14:32 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Police say John "Jack" Blitchford died after a fire ripped through his Frankford home Sunday.
