HARTFORD, Conn. — A Connecticut firefighter, Robert Sharkevich Sr., tragically lost his life in a vehicle accident while combating a brush fire. He was honored on Monday as a cherished family member and friend who positively impacted the lives of those around him.
The memorial service for the 66-year-old took place at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, coinciding with National First Responders Day. A significant turnout of firefighters from nearby areas came to express their condolences for Sharkevich, affectionately known as “Sharky.” He was a dedicated member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and had previously served for 25 years with the Hartford Fire Department.
As part of the tribute, Sharkevich’s coffin was placed on a fire truck, and a procession led by police motorcycles and other first responders escorted him from Wethersfield to Hartford. The event included a group of bagpipers and drummers, adding to the solemn atmosphere as they marched through the streets of Hartford.
On October 22, while Sharkevich was aiding in the firefighting efforts on Lamentation Mountain, which is still ablaze near the Berlin-Meriden line around 15 miles south of Hartford, a utility vehicle operating on the rugged terrain overturned, fatally injuring him, according to officials.
During the service, his nephew, Gary Sharkevich Jr., recounted how he and Robert Sharkevich Jr., the fallen firefighter’s son and fellow firefighter, rushed to the location after hearing about the incident via radio dispatch. “When we finally arrived, we ran up to uncle Rob, to only find him laying there so peacefully and comfortable,” he shared. “As the daylight faded and the mountain glowed in fire, we carried him home.”
Gary Sharkevich Jr. reflected on his uncle’s profound impact: “Uncle Rob, you meant the world to us. We will carry on your legacy, your laughter, and your spirit with us forever. You touched so many lives.”
Robert Sharkevich Sr.’s sister, Karen Letizio, described him as an embodiment of “strength in selflessness.”
“His legacy is one of courage, having sacrificed his own life in the line of duty, embodying the noblest attributes a person can possess,” she stated. “It was this immense bravery that led him to be our family’s hero, a symbolic heart of gold who deeply cared for our Wethersfield community.”
The fire on Lamentation Mountain is one of many currently raging across Connecticut, attributed to unusually dry weather conditions caused by insufficient rainfall. Fire officials indicated that an improperly extinguished campfire likely ignited this particular blaze.