A son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a boyfriend, a fireman, an EMT, an athlete, a coach, a referee, an umpire, a traveler, a lifeguard, a swim instructor, a student, a teacher and a friend. These are only a few of the many faces of Jeffrey Mosenson, but no matter which face you saw, Jeffrey was always smiling.

Jeffrey was traveling to class at the New York Institute of Technology from his Woodbury home on Jan. 28 when he was involved in a fatal car accident. Due to slippery road conditions, his 2000 Chevrolet Blazer struck a tree on Brookville Road. Jeffrey was 20 years old.

Jeffrey is survived by many family members and friends including his parents David and Gayle Mosenson, siblings Jonathan, 16, Joanna 12 and Jenna, 5 and grandparents Sue and Saul Zucker and Cecil and Joan Mosenson as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

While sitting in his son Jeff's room, Dave Mosenson asks, "You want me to tell you about my son's 20 years of living? Do you have 30 years to listen?" That's how involved Jeff was and how many activities he participated in. "My son did more in his 20 years of life than most people do in 50 years," said Dave Mosenson.

Jeff's walls are lined with plaques and memorabilia from his many activities, but the focus is on the Fire Department - one of his first loves. He was a member of the Jericho Fire Department and he was named the In-house King for recording the most hours at the fire department in 2000. He also had the top training attendance record in 2000.

Jeff first became interested in saving lives as a firemen when his mother's brother Andrew became a volunteer firemen. Uncle Andrew would take Jeff on calls and let him sit on the trucks at a young age. As soon as Jeff turned 17, he joined the Jericho Fire Department. Jeff's Uncle Andrew Zucker was killed during the tragic events of September 11. Jeff carried on his uncle's memory by saving lives with the fire department.

"Jeff was taken from us too early. But I only believe that God felt that being down here on Earth Jeff could only help a few people, but up there with his Uncle Andrew, they could watch over everyone," said Dave Mosenson.

According to his Uncle Stuart Zucker, Jeff loved saving people. "He took a sign language class so if he responded to a fire and a deaf person was trapped, he could communicate with him and tell him it was going to be OK - he was there to save him," he said.

Jeff influenced the lives of many people at the Jericho Fire District. "On behalf of the department, we are saddened by the loss of such a vibrant, young person - a shining star in our department," said Jericho Fire Chief John Lottes. "Jeff had an enthusiasm toward everything that he did. We were very fortunate to have Jeff as a member in Jericho. His impact on our organization is going to be with us and his loss is going to be greatly felt."

Chief Lottes explained that Jeff acquired the nickname "Buff" from his friends at the department. "Buff is a term used when someone is extremely affectionate for a certain item. That was Jeff and his love for saving people. He was a knowledgeable expert," said Chief Lottes.

At Chief Lottes' installation dinner in the spring of 2001, Jeff was named probationary member of the year. "In the group of those that he was competing against, he shined above all of them," said Lottes. "Besides doing the required training, and we have a fair amount of training expectations, he went above and beyond the certifications that are required of probationary candidates."

Jeff' and his brother Jonathan were very close. "I am going to remember Jeff dragging me out into the street to go play hockey," Jonathan said in his remarks at Jeff's funeral service. "He wanted to be a goalie and needed someone to shoot on him. We used to go out in the driveway with skates and all and I would shoot on Jeff and when I scored I'd go crazy because scoring on your big brother is a great accomplishment when you are 4 years old."

Jeffrey Rudes was on the board of directors for Little League with Dave Mosenson and also coached Jeff. "He was always one of the best players in the league and also such a great kid," said Rudes, who said that Jeff was also an umpire for the league. "He was so dependable. He was always behind the plate."

Howard Kotkin, funeral director at Gutterman's in Woodbury estimated there were 1,500 people that paid their respects at Gutterman's. "Jeffrey's service was one of the highest attended that I have seen," he said. "It was phenomenal and such a tragic situation. Our heart goes out to the family over the tragic loss of their son."

Although Jeffrey was involved in many different activities, everyone who knew him said he had a zest for life and although most people have their good days and bad days, Jeff didn't have bad days.

Vanessa Cruz first met Jeff when he tried out for her roller hockey team when he was 12 years old. "Jeff was a kid that was full of life," said Cruz. "I don't know if you have met a kid who was always smiling, but that was Jeffrey. He never had a harsh word for anyone and he could strike up a conversation with anyone. He was a super kid. It is such a shame - the world lost a great human being. If you never met him in life, you are unfortunate. This kid was special. I have coached many kids, but he was my favorite. Everyone had their ups and downs, but to be honest, I never saw Jeffrey down. He was always upbeat and positive."

Jeff had been dating girlfriend Teri Parlin, who he met at the JCC Maccabi games, for approximately two years.

"My time with Jeff was short, but every moment spent with him was worth a lifetime," said Parlin in her comments at the service. "What he and I shared was nothing less than amazing. He and I had a friendship that was unbreakable, a companionship that could never be understood and a love that will never die."

Parlin, who is a second semester freshman at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, describes Jeff as one of the most caring and selfless people that she ever knew. "He always put everybody else in front of his needs," she said. "He just had this personality that when he walked into a room, it completely lit up. If he walked into a room filled with complete strangers, he would walk out of there with half of the room being his friend."

In addition to his other activities, Jeff somehow made time for academics. "I remember his dimples and his smile and the gleam that he always had in his eyes," said Marilyn Rodahan, assistant principal at South Woods Middle School. "He always made conversation when he walked by me. If I knew someone was having a bad day in school and needed a pep talk, I would call Jeff and ask him to help me by talking to someone. He was great at that. He had a great love for life. He connected with everyone."

Dr. Jean Clark, principal at South Woods Middle School, agreed. "He was always smiling. He got along with everyone. In middle school, there are so many cliques, but Jeff didn't care - he got along with everyone. He was never disrespectful."

Julie Laisney, Jeff's middle school French teacher, said, "He was so into class. He loved everything and he was the most enthusiastic student I've ever had."

Jonathan Mosenson, Dave's brother, Jeff's uncle and also president of the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District Board of Education will always remember Jeff as a terrific kid. "He was great. He was always running. He would keep his scanner on Thanksgiving Day in case he was called to a fire. He loved his cousins and they love him."

Jeff thrived on saving lives and even after his fatal accident he continued to do so. Jeff's organs were donated and the Mosenson Family received confirmation that Jeff already saved one life.

Chief Lottes said he will always be inspired by Jeff. "Jeff was a shining beacon - a bright light," said Chief Lottes. "It got dimmed on Jan. 28, but I think that his light continues in a lot of things around us that are good and in the work that we do at the Jericho Fire Department. I plan to look for Jeff's light as it shines out in other people. That is how I plan to try and keep his memory alive."

The Jeffrey Mosenson Memorial Fund was established for other young men and women to pursue their dreams with the same love, spirit and dedication that Jeffrey had. It is also the Mosenson family's hope to purchase emergency equipment in his memory. Contributions can be made to Jeffrey Mosenson Memorial Fund; 7 Castle Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797.