Family, friends celebrate memory of father with Spartan Race team

BOSTON — It was a birthday celebration that turned deadly.

Brian Hingston was trying to stop a fight when police say he was punched and fell back, hitting his head on the pavement.

The 45-year-old left behind a wife, three young children and a crushed community.

Hingston was known for doing anything for anybody. Even after he died -- he gave five of his major organs to help save the lives of complete strangers.

This weekend at the Spartan Race -- people are coming together to help his family.

“He was always the guy to crack a joke,” Wil Hingston said.

The smiling starts -- and then come the stories.

“He was just an all-around great guy, great Dad and I couldn't ask for a better father," Wil said.

Back in April, Brian was killed while trying to do what he always did -- help others.

Brian was in a Dorchester parking lot wrapping up a night with friends for a birthday celebration, when two people in the group got into fight. At one point, police say Brian tried to stop the fight by raising his arms in the air to separate the men who were fighting.

Police say Bryan McElhinney punched Brian Hingston in the face, causing him to fall back and hit his head on the pavement.

Brian died from his injuries and McElhinney was later charged with manslaughter.

"Brian passed with three young children. You're talking about going to school, college on top of losing their dad and someone who was losing a huge influence in their lives,” Brian's cousin, Derek Gallagher said.

Brian's family is now getting help from many of the lives he touched, especially in his beloved Charlestown -- where his family is from.

More than a hundred joined the team the family is calling 'The Gentleman.' the team is running the Spartan Race this weekend at Fenway Park.

"I'm really looking forward to the outpouring of love and support tomorrow," Wil Hingston said.

An educational fund has also been set up for the three Hingston children. Friends have been raising money by selling hats and t-shirts.

“He was a big family guy. He always put us before him and he always wanted us to get the best experience of everything," Wil Hingston said.

But the race is also about saying thank you to a man who continues to touch so many – even after he’s gone.

"He made everybody feel like they were the most important person in the room and he did that ever since we were kids," Gallagher said.

Wil said he was so touched by the doctors and nurses that helped the family during their difficult time that he now wants to go into that field.

Over 100 family members and friends will race in memory of Brian Hingston on team The Gentleman at the Fenway Spartan Race.

The race will take place at Fenway Park, Saturday, November 12, 2016, at 12:45 pm.

Donations can be made to: The Hingston Children Education Fund, c/o Boston Firefighters Credit Union, 60 Hallet St. Dorchester, MA. 02124.

For more information on the Spartan Race, click here.

Cox Media Group