Services Set For Bayville Firefighter After Sudden Death

BERKELEY, NJ — Services are set to honor a Bayville volunteer firefighter who suddenly passed away last week.

Brian Letrent died from a heart attack on June 21, the day after the department held a full-scale drill, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, which tracks on-duty firefighter fatalities.

"Firefighter Letrent has been a vital asset to our dept always willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to protect our residents and brother firefighters," the Bayville Volunteer Fire Company said in a statement.

Visiting hours will be held on June 29 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Central Regional High School, according to Letrent's obituary. Mastapeter Memorial Home in Bayville is in charge of arrangements.

"Brian was one of those special individuals that dedicated himself to saving lives and property as a proud Firefighter with Bayville Fire Department Station #17," his obituary said.

Letrent was born in Toms River and raised in Bayville, graduating from Central Regional in 2007, his obituary said.

Immediately after graduation, Letrent enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving boot camp while still in high school, his obituary said.

Letrent was deployed to Iraq for six months and was Honorably Discharged from Fort Drum in New York.

He then was employed as a mechanic with Berkeley Township Sewage Authority, where he was recently promoted, his obituary said.

He started as a firefighter with the Pinewald Fire Department, then with Ocean Gate Fire Department and was a trained officer with Ocean County Hazmat where he served for the past seven years.

In lieu of flowers, Letrent's family requests donations to the Bayville Volunteer Fire Company. Donations can be sent to Bayville Fire Company Station #17, 645 Atlantic City Blvd, Bayville, NJ 08721 or made via GoFundMe.