Daniela Altimari
Hartford Courant
BURLINGTON, Conn. — The Burlington volunteer firefighter who died after collapsing at a massive fire in New Hartford last week will be buried on Thursday.
Colin McFadden, 26, was one of about 100 firefighters who responded to the scene of a three-alarm fire that gutted a prominent building in downtown New Hartford last week.
After he was stricken at the scene, paramedics rushed him to John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, where doctors identified and operated on a brain hemorrhage, which was caused by undiagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia. McFadden died last Thursday, after two days in the hospital’s instensive care unit.
McFadden was “the most gentle, kind-hearted giant in the world,” a friend, Johann Thomsen, said. “He had a heart of gold and he was something truly special and admirable. He was everything that someone wishes to be.”
After McFadden was hospitalized, the fire department called attention to the state’s “seriously low” blood supply and encouraged people to donate blood, “not only for Colin, but for all who are in need.”
On Thursday afternoon, Gov. Ned Lamont directed flags be lowered to half-staff to honor McFadden.
A lifelong resident of Bristol, McFadden graduated from Bristol Technical Education Center’s electronics program. He was an Eagle Scout, an amateur radio operator and an advocate for people with autism.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Matthew Church, 120 Church Ave. in Bristol. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Bristol.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday between 3 and 8 p.m. at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave. in Bristol.
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