'This was his favorite place:' Daughter of Freight Station owner plans memorial event

Publish date: 2024-10-01

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Lance Ross lived and died at The Freight Station in Johnstown.

"This was his favorite place. I know this is somewhere he would want everyone to gather together."

That's what his daughter, Brittany Wolfhope, told 6 News about the popular bar/restaurant that her dad brought to life.

"He was really a kind, generous man. He really just wanted to help out anyone he could. He didn't have a lot to give, but he gave whatever he had," she said.

For about eight years since 2015, the community has been flocking to the bar to party with friends and listen to bands play.

With a focus on live music, The Freight Station became a nightlife destination with bands filling their multiple stages.

From struggling through COVID -- to the business taking off within the past year -- it was a place Lance was always proud of.

"He would show you from one end of the building to the other. Anytime you came -- you could've came for the fifth time -- and he'd still want to give you a tour and give you all the ideas he has for this place. Everyone was just so amazed with his positivity, with him just wanting to keep it going and make it better," Brittany told 6 News.

It was late February when authorities say the 65-year-old" was "violently assaulted" to death inside the business.

While his death was ruled a homicide, no arrests have been made in the case, with his family searching for closure.

"I was just completely in shock and devastated. Not only that, I just had no idea why someone would ever do that. There's no reason behind it," Brittany said.

As they wait for answers, the family is hosting "one final ride" for Lance: a celebration of life memorial event.

It will take place on Saturday, April 22nd with the first band starting at 2:00 PM at The Freight Station.

I wanted everyone to have an event to come together -- talk about his life -- and talk about the great memories they had with him. I can't tell you how many people have contacted me with some great stories about how many people's lives he's affected," Brittany said.

In memory of Lance's love for live music, three bands will take their stages along with flame twirlers and food trucks.

Brittany says it's to make sure Lance -- and The Freight Station memories -- "go out with a bang" and celebrate the good parts of life.

"We've had some time. Obviously, it was completely devastating, and a very quick thing that happened. Now that everyone has had time to process it, I really want everyone just to think of the good memories. I want everyone to have a good time and really enjoy the place like he would've wanted them to," Brittany said.

The establishment will be going up for sale, and Brittany says more information will be made available about that in the coming weeks.

She says she's hoping that somebody will take it over to continue the bar's tradition and carry on her dad's legacy.

I think the message is really just to cherish every moment you have with people, because you honestly have no idea when that's going to end. I just want everyone to get together, enjoy this place, enjoy their families. Everyone knows that eventually, your ride ends, but it ends pretty suddenly sometimes. I want everyone to appreciate the moment," Brittany said.

The donations raised will help fund the reward money, which will go to someone with information leading to an arrest.

"We're just really trying to increase the reward, because we know that someone has information out there. Even if they don't think it's important, we need them to call in. We need them to give that information, because we really just want justice for him," Brittany told 6 News.

Cambria County Crime Stoppers announced that it is offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding his death is asked to contact Johnstown Police or Cambria County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 548-7500.

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