Boardman Township Fire Department officials say it took several hours to remove an 80-foot-tall tree that fell on a golf cart at the Mill Creek South Golf Course, killing the driver.

Mill Creek Police have identified the golf cart driver who died Saturday as 35-year-old Brian Costantini of Boardman. The passenger in the golf cart was Costantini's brother-in-law, Jordan Hardwick, 35, of Columbiana.

Dispatchers began getting calls after 9 a.m. Saturday that the tree had fallen on the cart carrying two people.

The passenger was able to get out unassisted. However, the driver was pinned beneath the tree near the 17th hole, which according to the report, was about 36 inches thick.

Costantini's widow, Katie Costantini tells 21 News Reporter Sydney Canty she wants her husband to be remembered as the fun, light-hearted soul he was with his jokes, his helping hands and his love for the music group Wu-Tang Clan. The couple was also hoping to have a baby. 

Brian, better known as Beasley, loved playing golf and had many outings planned for the year, according to Katie. Katie also says Brian was an "old soul," and loved old Italian classics and anything Frank Sinatra. 

Katie continues, her husband was never afraid to lend a helping hand and was good to her. 

Hardwick was treated at the scene for soreness in his chest but refused any further medical treatment. He suffered injuries to his lungs and sternum. 

Rescuers arrived with chainsaws to cut limbs from the tree to make it light enough to use a backhoe to lift it from the victim’s body.

Mill Creek MetroParks issued the following statement from executive director Aaron Young:

“We do not have any reason to believe that this was anything other than a terrible, tragic accident. Our deepest condolences go out to the family. Throughout the MetroParks, trees that appear dead and pose a risk to park visitors are removed. However, in this case, the tree was alive when it fell.”