BRIDGEWATER -- Kevin McMorrow, a lieutenant with the Country Hills Volunteer Fire Department, cherished only one thing more than riding his motorcycle: His two young sons.

McMorrow, 33, of South Bound Brook, was killed Wednesday night in a motorcycle crash at the border of Lebanon and Clinton Township in Hunterdon County when he collided with a sports-utility vehicle driven by a 28-year-old Lebanon woman at the intersection of Main Street in Lebanon and Route 22 east in Clinton Township at approximately 9 p.m.

"He was something special," said McMorrow's 9-year-old son, Shaun, when his mother, April Peschke, handed him the telephone Friday and asked him what he remembers most about his dad. "Saving people's lives. And being brave."

Peschke, McMorrow's ex-wife, was in tears as she spoke about her former husband. Although they divorced in 2014 and Peschke has remarried, the pair continued to work together in raising their sons. Nicholas, 6, is the couple's youngest. The boys live with their mother.

"He was an awesome dad, a very devoted father, very caring," said Peschke. "His sons very, very much loved him. They were so proud of him. I remember one time he went to my oldest son's preschool class in his uniform and gave a talk. My son was so proud."

Sherry McMorrow, Kevin's mother, was also emotional as she remembered her son.

"He was a good kid," she said. "I'm going to miss him everyday. He loved his sons. They're going to miss him and he's going to miss watching them grow up."

McMorrow, who also worked with the Bradley Gardens Rescue Squad from 2003 to 2013, joined the Country Hills Volunteer Fire Department, located in Bridgewater, in December 2003 and steadily climbed the ranks reaching as high a 2nd Assistant Chief. Condolences have been pouring out on the department's Facebook page.

"Being a firefighter was his pride and love," said Peschke, who works for the Bradley Gardens Rescue Squad. "He loved helping people. We had so many battles. I would say can't you miss just one call so we can be together as a family. He never would. He always answered the call."

Members of the County Hills Volunteer Fire Department remained in shock Friday morning. McMorrow also worked as technician at Audi of Mendham, where his co-workers there also felt his loss.

Country Hills firefighter Kevin McMorrow, 33, died Wednesday night in a fatal motorcycle accident. He and his ex-wife, April, had two sons, Shaun, 9, and Nicholas 6, who adored their dad. (Photos courtesy of the McMorrow family)

"He was always friendly, always there if you needed something," said fellow Country Hills firefighter Steve Salvo. "He would help in training the young guys, especially in extrication drills. He understood vehicles and how to safety get people out of them."

Since January, McMorrow worked at Audi of Mendham.

"He was a great guy," said Peter Halonski, service and parts manager at Audi at Mendham. "He was a great worker. He's going to be missed."

McMorrow, whose former father-in-law was a firefighter, and his ex-wife clashed over his love of motorcycles. She forbid him to purchase one while they were married. They divorced in 2014 after 12 years of marriage.

"I hated that whole motorcycle thing," said Peschke. "For 12 years, I kept him from getting a motorcycle. I told him he would have to get a $1 million life insurance policy if he got one. Once we split up, he got one."

Peschke, who said McMorrow suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries in a minor motorcycle accident last summer, is from Bridgewater. McMorrow also grew up in Bridgewater. The pair met at the friend's pool party when she was 18 and soon married.

"I thought he was so cute," said Peschke, adding that McMorrow worked two jobs to help her get her Master's Degree in mental health at Capella University. "He had huge blue eyes. My son has blue eyes."

Peschke said McMorrow, who had yet to remarry, was fearless, which was both a blessing and a curse.

"We were working together at a house fire and I remember watching flames coming through a window and seeing some guy up there on a ladder," said Peschke. "I'm like, 'Who is this nut?' It was Kevin. The entire time we were married I always worried about him being so fearless."

Country Hills firefighter Kevin McMorrow, 33, died Wednesday night in a fatal motorcycle accident. (Photo courtesy of the McMorrow family)

The crash is under investigation by the Hunterdon County Accident Investigation Unit, the Clinton Township Police Department and the New Jersey State Police Accident Investigation Unit, authorities have said.

"I'm praying for the young lady who hit him," said Sherry McMorrow. "It was an accident. We need to help her. I know Kevin would want her to be OK. She has the rest of her life to live."

A viewing is scheduled at Bruce Van Arsdale Funeral Home in Somerville from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Monday, with services being held at St John's Episcopal Church in Somerville at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Burial will be at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Bridgewater with a repast at the Somerville Elk's Lodge in Bridgewater.

"I've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for my son," said Sherry McMorrow. "My son had so many friends. I just thank them for all the love they're sending out. I didn't expect this. My son was a good kid. He tried really hard to do everything right.

"Every time he walked out the door I told him to be careful on his motorcycle even though he was 33 years old. He would make a face at me. But he just felt comfortable riding his bike. His father rode a bike. He just felt free on his bike."

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.