A young Brooklyn man died a hero this weekend after saving two young women’s lives while swimming at a New Jersey beach. 

Jalan Alston had just graduated high school and his dad, Mark Alston,  says he would have done big things with his passion for electrical engineering.

“He was a loving kid, never got in trouble for anything," Mark says.

However, the 18-year-old never made it out of the water Friday – after going out to help two friends who were struggling.

"He wasn't as deep as they were and he could have walked out of there, ran to go do something, but he chose to go out there and save them even though he can't really swim to be honest. So, it was kind of like he just did what was right… it's pretty heroic and I don't know too many people who would do that,” Mark says. 

He says when it's safe to do, he will be getting family and friends together to honor Jalan and his sacrifice. 

One of the girls he saved created a GoFundMe page and has already raised more than $20,000 for a celebration.