Community Corner
Decorated East Haddam Firefighter Dies, Mourned By Community
"Joe, you were a pillar in this community. Your warm smile and jokes will be missed by all," the fire chief wrote in a statement.
EAST HADDAM, CT — The East Haddam Fire Department is mourning the death of a decorated active firefighter.
In a post on Facebook on Thursday, the department announced “with a heavy heart” the death of Firefighter Joseph “Corky” Bonola.
“Joe joined the department in 1975 and left in 1990 and then returned in 2017 to present,” according to a post signed by Chief Brian J. Auld. “Joe served the department in multiple roles including: Firefighter, Fire Police, Apparatus Driver, Lieutenant, and Captain. Joe was on the committee which purchased the first custom built Engine for the town of East Haddam… A 1986 Seagrave.
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“Joe championed the jet drive discharge on our retired 1980 International pumper. Joe’s ingenuity was unparalled, always looking to fix the mechanical issues on our apparatus.”
Bonola was also highly decorated and was named the recipient of the following awards:
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Fire Police of the year: 2018 and 2019
Most Active Firefighter: 2019
Chief’s Choice Award: 2018
Meritorious Service: 2018
Life Saving: 2018
“Joe, you were a pillar in this community,” Auld wrote. “Your warm smile and jokes will be missed by all. Rest easy brother, we got it from here.”
A Celebration of Life will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the American Legion at 35 Neptune Avenue in Moodus.
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