WETHERSFIELD, Conn. — Connecticut is mourning the loss of Robert Sharkevich Sr., a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, who died in the line of duty on Tuesday.
Sharkevich was killed in a tragic accident while trying to contain the wildfire on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin.
Visitation and funeral service details have been released, as well as Sharkevich's obituary. Sharkevich's visitation will take place Sunday, Oct. 27, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home in Wethersfield.
Funeral services will take place Monday, Oct. 28, at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford.
Before he retired and became a volunteer with Wethersfield, Sharkevich had a career as a Hartford firefighter. His passion for fire services was only surpassed by his devotion to his family, including his son and nephew, who are both also volunteer Wethersfield firefighters.
The Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department provided the below statement in a post on Facebook:
As the oldest volunteer fire company in New England, Wethersfield is a department steeped in history. On Wednesday, it was also shrouded in grief.
William R. Clark, retired Chief of Department from the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department said in a statement, "I knew Sharky well when I served with the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department. It was a pleasure to work with Sharky. He was a consummate gentleman and a true professional. He approached every situation with a clear head and lived up to all that the brotherhood of the fire service represents. Not only was he an active member of the department, but he also passed that tradition on to his son and nephew."
"Losing a member of our fire service family is never easy. When it hits right here at home, it is seemingly unfathomable. It is said, though, that "Greater love hath no man, than to lay down his life for others." While it is never what we expect, each firefighter, and all first responders, commit themselves to understanding that they may not make it back. They take that risk so others may live. Sharky lived this up to the end and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. His sacrifice will never be forgotten."
“It’s a really somber day,” said resident Angela Mull.
But it’s also a department wrapped in love.
“It’s really nice to see the community come together and surround the family with love,” Mull said.
A procession to bring Sharkevich home lined the Silas Deane Highway Wednesday afternoon with dignitaries from departments far and wide standing in attendance.
“The first responders in nearby communities have been so responsive and helpful to us,” said Wethersfield Mayor Ken Lesser.
Gov. Ned Lamont directed U.S. and state flags to lower to half-staff Wednesday, effective immediately until sunset on the date of interment, which has not been determined.
A bouquet of roses was also placed at the base of the town’s fallen firefighter memorial outside Company 1.
“Our members are overwhelmed with grief,” said Asst. Chief Anthony Dignoti.
Sharkevich, known affectionally as "Sharkey," is remembered as a firefighter, a carpenter, a father, a grandfather and a good man.
“He put the roof on my house,” Dignoti said. “He built my deck. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or build.”
Sharkevich died doing what he loved: fighting the flames. Just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, officials said a UTV crash was reported at the south end of Lamentation Mountain, where four firefighters were helping battle the Hawthorne fire. Meriden officials said three other firefighters were also injured in the crash and were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Based on a preliminary investigation, police said they learned that the UTV was driving along a "steep rocky incline" while responding to the brush fire when it rolled over onto Sharkevich.
“Members of the Wethersfield Fire Department are like my brothers and sisters. We just have that special bond,” Dignoti said.
Dignoti spoke on that bond via Zoom from a hospital in Boston, while getting chemotherapy for his own battle with cancer. Just weeks ago, his brothers and sisters shaved their heads in solidarity.
“The first person to sit in the chair was Rob Sharkevich, Sr. He was the first one to volunteer to have his hair shaved. He’s just been so compassionate and supportive of me in my journey, but my journey is secondary right now,” said Dignoti.
Days before he died, "Sharkey" was honored for 20 years of volunteer service with the Wethersfield Fire Department. He received an honorary helmet and the number three, representing the company he staffed.
“I hope he is at peace now,” resident Henry Ziewacz said.
The thin red line is now a little thicker.
“They volunteer their time. They give to the community. And I really feel for the family and our community as a whole,” resident Laura Morris said.
Many neighbors in Wethersfield are finding creative ways to show their support for the Wethersfield Fire Department, including turning on red lights outside their home.
Lamont called Sharkevich’s efforts “nothing short of heroic.”
"His selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community and the surrounding towns is nothing less than heroic," Lamont said. "On behalf of the people of Connecticut, I thank him for the service he has provided to our state, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues in the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and Hartford Fire Department.
Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins from the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection said in a statement, "Robert E. Sharkevich, Sr. was a lifetime first responder and a beloved resident of Wethersfield. We share the deep grief among his friends, family and members of the Fire Service. Thank you Firefighter Sharkevich for your lifetime of service to the state of Connecticut."
Berlin Fire Chief John Massirio said Tuesday that he knew Sharkevich for "quite some time."
"The friendships run deep here, and there's long-lasting relationships between these people, so we're a tight-knit family," Massirio said. "It's definitely felt throughout the surrounding towns; it's not just a Wethersfield thing or a Berlin thing, Newington. We're a family, and it affects everybody here."
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Sharkevich's death is a "tragic reminder" of the sacrifice and risks firefighters face daily.
“Firefighter Sharkevich bravely answered the call to assist the area’s fire crews in responding to this brush fire, and he will forever be remembered as a hero," Bysiewicz said. "My heart breaks for his loved ones and the members of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Hartford Fire Department and Connecticut’s whole firefighting community. I am keeping each of them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.”
State Senator Matthew Lesser, who serves Wethersfield, said on X, "My heart aches for the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and for all Connecticut firefighters. I will never not be in awe of people who put themselves at risk to keep the rest of us safe."
State Comptroller Sean Scanlon also voiced his condolences on X, saying: "Thoughts and prayers for the firefighter killed this afternoon in Berlin. A somber reminder that our first responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe."
In accordance with the governor’s directive, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time. Since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered.
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Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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