Popular high school coach and firefighter dies suddenly
Dec. 28--STRATFORD -- A town firefighter who was also the freshman boys basketball coach at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull died suddenly at home on Monday, as firefighters and medics worked to save him.
Jason "Jay'' Carrafiello, 38, "was an outstanding firefighter and was held in high regard by all of the officers and firefighters,'' town Fire Chief Robert McGrath said.
Carrafiello was also a state-licensed emergency medical technician who worked with the Stratford EMS, friends said.
"We got called to his home on a call of respiratory distress at 12:40 p.m.,'' a still-shaken Fire Marshal Brian Lampart said Tuesday. "He was a big, strong guy, an ox, and he had a wife and two kids.''
Mayor John Harkins ordered that town flags be lowered to half-staff.
"Jay Carrafiello was a valued employee and member of the Stratford Fire Department family," Harkins said. "He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time."
"Our hearts go out to the Carrafiello family and prayers are offered especially for his wife Jessica, son Brian and daughter Kaitlyn,'' said a message on the school's website.
Carrafiello had coached the boys basketball team at St. James School in Stratford to back-to-back New England championships.
Because of the untimely nature of Carrafiello's death, funeral services may be delayed a day or two at the state medical examiner's request, the firefighter's friends said.
Condolence messages were posted on the Stratford EMS Facebook page, including one with Carrafiello's coat draped on a firetruck.
His mother, Donna Carrafiello, died in October at age 62.
"He's been going through some tough times,'' said Lampart, the town fire marshal. "But Jay was always among the first to offer to help out, and he was active in the fire department and in the union. He'll be missed.''
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