Preparations are underway to honor the life of a former Sussex County resident

SPARTA-His life was unexpectedly taken in a matter of seconds, however, friends of 27-year-old Giles Lison want to see his memory to live on forever. Lison, who grew up in Sparta, and was a 1995 graduate of Sparta High School, perished when his automobile exploded last Thursday morning in Weehawken. Although the accident is still under investigation, experts believe that a gas tank stored in Lison's car leaked acetylene, a colorless and highly flammable gas into his car. Lison, a sheet metal worker, routinely used the volatile substance for welding and cutting. The gas vapors were ignited when Lison either turned on the ignition, or attempted to light a cigarette. Four days after his death, several friends of Lison met up at Krough's Restaurant and Brew Pub in Lake Mohawk to discuss the best way to honor their friend. "We want to celebrate his life," Lison's friend Jeff Haackmeester said on Monday in an interview at Krough's. Haakmeester said that he was "envious" of the manner in which Lison pursued his life with a passion for music. In fact, Lison played guitar for "Honor: The Rock Band," which routinely performed at Krough's. Lison's love for music will be at the center of the fundraiser being planned by his friends. Plans for the benefit celebration are still in their infancy stages. Thus far, the only thing that has been determined for the event is that it will take place at Krough's, and feature several bands. Collected money, and proceeds from a raffle will be given to local charity, or will be used to start a music scholarship fund in Lison's name. No date for the event has yet been set, although tentatively, the friends are shooting for Nov. 28. The group will use that time to approach local businesses to donate raffle items or to contribute to the fund. "He was an amazing man in so many different ways to so many different people," said Sharon Walsh, who also attended the meeting. "Giles lived with passion, passion for life and everything life had to offer, passion for love, passion for music and passion for his friends and family."