Submitted by a fellow firefighter
Lieutenant Gary Passaro was a long time member of the Tolland Fire Department and at the time of his death was the corporate president of the Tolland Fire Department.
Lieutenant Passaro was working at a simulated Hazmat Disaster drill at the Tolland High School when he collapsed from an apparant heart attack. Even through the efforts of several EMTs and the head ER physician who was attending to Lieutenant Passaro within seconds of his collapse‚ Lieutenant Passaro died shortly thereafter.
Gary was a fine fire officer and a good friend to all that knew him.
My grandfather saved Gary from drowning when he fell through the ice as a young boy. My father was the fire chief in Danbury. He’s 85 and retired in 1994. So sad that Gary passed so young. But so glad my grandfather saved him so he could have such a full although short life.
– Barbara Lagarto