BOSTON (WHDH) - First responders gathered Saturday morning to honor fallen Watertown firefighter Joseph Toscano in a powerful procession as his body was escorted to the medical examiner’s office in Boston.
Toscano collapsed and died Friday morning after responding to a house fire.
He was escorted by police and firefighters in an 8-mile procession to the Medical Examiner’s Office from Mount Auburn Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A number of firefighters could be seen walking alongside and saluting the vehicle.
Later in the day, a procession took place from the medical examiner’s office down Interstate 93 to the Cartwright Funeral Home. He was saluted by several firefighters from different communities.
Officials said Toscano suffered a medical emergency. The medical examiner’s office will determine the exact cause of death.
Toscano was a 21-year veteran of the department and a married father of five children, colleagues said.
His family said in a statement Friday night that “family was at the center” of his life and that it “defined him.” He also loved being a Watertown firefighter, they said.
He is the first Massachusetts firefighter to die in the line of duty since 2014.
A memorial fund has been established for the family of Joseph Toscano.
Donations may be sent to:
Watertown Firefighters Relief Association
Toscano Fund
99 Main St.
Watertown, MA 02472
Toscano’s wake has been scheduled for Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Randolph from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral mass has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Watertown.
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