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Dozens of people, nearly all of them students or recent alumni of Washington Township High School, stood vigil on the side of Fish Pond Road Sunday afternoon to honor their fallen classmate Joshua Huttenberger.

"I want everyone to know he was the most fun-loving person," said Tori Buckley, who organized the vigil. "If you were in need, he was there."

Huttenberger, 18, died Saturday afternoon after losing control of his car on the wet pavement of Fish Pond Road near Cresthaven Court. Heavy rainfall throughout the day had created treacherous driving conditions.

After he lost control at about 12:45 p.m., Huttenberger's 1997 BMW 5281 spun across the road and into the opposing lane. His car was struck by a 2004 Dodge Dakota driven by an 18-year-old Pitman man heading in the opposite direction. The other driver veered right in hopes of avoiding Huttenberger's vehicle, police said, but the Dodge's front driver side hit the BMW's passenger side doors. No charges have been filed in the incident.

Friends and family lit candles and released balloons in Huttenberger's honor near the site of the crash, and guests were invited to write down fond memories of their friend.

One of Buckley's favorite memories of Huttenberger comes from a night just before the two graduated high school. The two of them went out to eat with several other friends, blasting music as they drove. Huttenberger had been tricked into picking up the bill at the end of the night, and, good-natured as ever, had paid it.

Huttenberger was in his first year of school at Rowan College at Gloucester County. Cars were one of his main interests, but what his classmates remembered most was his seemingly magical ability to connect with other people, either as a friend or a confidant.

"He always had a smile on his face, and he could always put a smile on yours," said Nick Rodriguez, another WTHS graduate. "He never followed anybody or tried to be somebody he wasn't. He was just Josh."

That charisma and compassion was also apparent to the educators in the township's school district.

"He was a remarkably nice young man — highly regarded, well respected and a good student," said Joe Bollendorf, WTHS principal. "He was the kind of kid who emanated kindness. Never got caught up in any drama, always supported his school and classmates."

Brittany Mason taught Huttenberger's sociology and American government courses during his senior year. The courses ran back to back, so Huttenberger was in Mason's classroom for two full periods every school day.

"He seemed to really understand life. He never took anything for granted," Mason said. "He was really insightful, much more so than a normal senior should be. And having him in the classes I did, it became very apparent. The classes he was in became families, and it was because of him. He was so caring and compassionate that everyone around him felt totally comfortable."

At heart, she said, "Josh was an activist. He always wanted everyone to be treated equally."

A service for Huttenberger will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Rd., Turnersville. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross, 3 Parke Place, Sewell, NJ, 08080. Washington Township High School will hold a moment of silence on Monday, and the district is offering counseling for any students who need help.

After the last of the balloons — blue for Washington Township, along with a single red heart from Huttenberger's mother — flew away and the crowd began to disperse, a handful of friends formed a small semi-circle to talk about the person he was.

Huttenberger's parents did not speak with media on Sunday. The picture that came together from the conversation with friends, however, was one of a young man brimming over with affection and warmth. The same phrases — that you could tell him anything, that he was always there to support you, that his smile could light up a room — came up with every person who spoke at the vigil.

"He was one of the greatest people to be around. Such a happy kid," said Sean Gaffney.

"This world lost a great person," said Nick Verrecchio. "It's a shame that everybody couldn't meet Josh."

Contact staff writer Andy Polhamus at 856-686-3729 or Media