Obituary: Robert Olindo Fish, 56, Of Bethel, Firefighter

Information Courtesy Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home

BROOKFIELD, CT — Robert Olindo Fish of Bethel passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2022. He was born on March 16, 1965, in Ridgefield to Robert C. Fish and Linda A. Zarczynski.

A student of both Ridgefield and Brookfield schools, he was mostly a self-taught man in areas that he eventually excelled in. He began working on family cars when he was nine and learned many aspects of mechanics "interning" at the neighborhood garage.

Rob was always interested in Firefighting/EMT work, being the son and grandson of men who either volunteered or were paid members of the Ridgefield Fire Department. As a Junior Firefighter in Brookfield, at Candlewood Company, he began his service in 1981. This continued for 41 years as Active Member, which included Lieutenant, Engineer, Vice President, and Secretary of the Company. Rob also proudly participated in sponsored parades, and the Firetruck/Rescue Truck Design Committee, not to mention being responsible for decorating the station's Christmas Tree. He achieved the level of CT Cert. Firefighter II and CT Cert. Medical Response Tech. He trained "newbies" in firefighting and scuba diving. The 2003 Roger Potter Engineer of the Year was awarded to him.

His family proudly watched as he received Life Member Status of Candlewood Company with a plaque in 2018. In his last years, he contributed photos he took of fires for several departments, some of which were published in the Danbury News Times.

For most of his adult life after graduating high school, his employment included long term assignments as IT Specialist for Union Carbide, then for Cannondale Bikes. He was a computer whiz. Some of his hobbies included all music, history, photography, NASCAR, the Mets and Steelers, NYC, fixing computers, and comedy. He quoted lines from his many favorite movies, was a pizza connoisseur, quick-witted and big-hearted. It was important to him as a father to ensure his sons appreciated all types of music, all the old comedians, and how to do things yourself.

He is survived by his mother, Linda Zarczynski, his two sons Anthony and Matthew Fish, one brother Michael Fish, two nieces Taylor and Merisa Fish, Aunt Paula, many cousins, many friends and his much-loved cat, Billy. Rob was preceded in death by his father, Robert "Bucko" Fish, his grandparents Ray and Grace Fish, his grandparents Olindo and Josina Franceschini.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Avenue, Danbury. Interment will take place privately.

Contributions in Rob's name may be made to the Brookfield Fire Department Candlewood Company, PO Box 296; Brookfield, CT 06804 or the Bethel Volunteer Fire Department, 38 South Street, Bethel, CT 06801.