RANDOLPH, MASS. (WHDH) - The Watertown firefighter who died in the line of duty Friday was remembered by neighbors and fellow firefighters as a “true gentleman” and a good neighbor.
Joseph Toscano collapsed while fighting the fire in Watertown. He was taken to Mt. Auburn Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was 54 years old and had been with the Watertown Fire Department since 1996.
“I feel so bad for his wife and his children, so sad,” said Susan Ingram, who attended the same church as the family.
Toscano, who was from Randolph, was married and had five children. Neighbors said he could often be found outside, playing with his children. Neighbors said Toscano loved living in Randolph and had designed and built his own house. Toscano and his family were also parishioners of St. Mary’s Church in Randolph.
“He was always smiling and laughing with the kids. He was a very very good gentleman, good with the neighbors,” said neighbor Jay Dave, who called Toscano the “magnet” of their neighborhood. Dave said thanks to Toscano, he would not want to live anywhere else.
Fellow firefighters said Toscano loved to cook and was the firehouse’s unofficial chef. Lt. Rob Mannix, the president of Watertown Local 1347, said Toscano had a “heart of gold.”
“A true, true gentleman. The guy would do anything for you,” said Mannix.
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