The Dominion Post
FELLOWSVILLE, W.Va. — Fellowsville volunteer firefighter Justin Zink was remembered for having a heart of gold and always pitching in to help.
Zink, 28, died Tuesday, in Braxton County, while stopping to assist at the scene of an automobile accident on Interstate 79, according to obituary information.
He worked as a truck driver for Fed-Ex in Bridgeport and loved hunting, fishing and being with his family.
“He was a really good guy — I mean we were just talking how we wish more people were like him,” said Duane Hamilton, director of the Preston County Office of Emergency Management and Zink’s cousin. He added that Zink’s stopping to help others didn’t surprise anybody.
“I mean, that’s just the way he was,” Hamilton said. “He was always real helpful around the fire department. You don’t see a lot of the younger generation doing the volunteer thing anymore, but he was always very active.”
Matthew Clarkson, chief of the Fellowsville VFD, said Zink was with the department since he was 18. When he wasn’t working, he was with his family, the chief said.
The chief said Zink was active in every department fundraiser and event.
“No matter what job you gave him, he would stay at it until it was done or he was relieved,” he said.
Clarkson recalled Zink would be cooking buckwheat cakes for everyone after a long day of work and while others were tired or worn out, he’d be telling jokes and keeping spirits high.
“It’s such a shock to lose someone that quickly — he’s on everybody’s mind,” Clarkson said, noting that his crew is holding up nonetheless.
Messages left with the Braxton County Sheriff’s Office regarding the accident that lead to Zink’s death were not returned in time for this report.
Clarkson said a final call in tribute to Zink will go out over the emergency radio the day of his funeral service.
Family and friends will be received at Bolyard Funeral Home in Newburg from noon-9 p.m. Sunday and again Monday from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service. Interment will follow at the Mount Zion Cemetery.
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