Storms ravaged parts of New London County on Wednesday, taking down trees and power lines with whipping winds and in one case, killing a man after a tree fell on his car on Pequot Avenue.
Police identified the victim as 65-year-old Arthur Falconi, of New London, but he was better known to friends as Art.
"He had the biggest heart of gold. He was always helping people. He was just a true gentleman," Kathleen Vega, Falconi’s girlfriend of almost seven years, said.
Falconi was in the driver’s seat at the time of his death. He was providing medical transportation for someone at the time, Vega said, when a tree collapsed on his car in a parking lot. The male passenger in the back seat was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Falconi didn’t survive.
"I feel empty. I feel hollow. I got a lot of good support from all his friends," Vega said.
Falconi’s life was filled with friends. He was New London born and raised, a natural musician who played in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He was a Grateful Dead 'Deadhead' fan and a proud drummer in a band, according to Vega.
"We’d do all kind of musical stuff to raise money for the community," Vega said.
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Friend Jim Flanagan said that Falconi had a heart for helping others. He raised money to help feed the homeless, among other charities and even took Flanagan in when he needed a place to stay.
Family is still working out funeral arrangements.
