Many firefighters at New Milford Fire Company 1 will remember Frank Matagrano for his 43-plus years of dedication to the company as both a volunteer firefighter and an engineer.
Matagrano, 75, died on Friday, nine days after he suffered a stroke, which then led to a heart attack as he was on his way to a scene.
A wake service will be held this Friday from 2 to 7 p.m., at the Church of the Ascension, 256 Azalea Drive, New Milford. A funeral procession will follow to Fire Company 1.
"It was like a punch in the chest," New Milford Fire Chief Ross Rhein said after hearing the news.
Almost every time there was a call, said Rhein, who works out of Company 1, Matagrano got on the truck and was ready to report to the scene.