A Bergen County florist is being hailed as a hero after he died trying to save a distressed swimmer from rough waters at the Jersey Shore.

Glen Carullo died Sunday after being pulled in by the strong rip currents. His brother says that Carullo was part of a human chain trying to save a woman who was stuck in the ocean. She was able to escape the waves, but Carullo wasn’t so lucky.

The 60-year-old florist and his wife owned Ho-Ho-Kus Florist and Gifts for 35 years. Ho-Ho-Kus residents say that he was a pillar of the community.

“We used to go in there and he used to give my granddaughter roses because she was so pretty and he was waiting for his grandchildren to be born,” says customer Peggy Lazorwitz.

Lazorwitz says that Carullo was a very brave man.

Carullo was going to be a first-time grandfather in March. Friends say that Carullo and his wife were planning on retiring at the end of the year.

“He was just that kind of guy. He stood out in a crowd,” says friend Ernest Garbaccio. “One of a kind.”

Visitation will be held Thursday evening at St. Luke's in Ho-Ho-Kus and a funeral will be held Friday morning at the same place.