Watertown Firefighter Joseph Toscano Laid to Rest

WATERTOWN, MA – Hundreds of mourners gathered in Watertown Wednesday to remember firefighter Joseph Toscano, who died after collapsing at the scene of a fire last week.

Toscano, 54, was a married father of five and 20-year veteran of the Watertown Fire Department. His funeral drew firefighters from Massachusetts and beyond, who looked on as the procession traveled through the streets of Watertown and packed St Patrick's Church for the 11 a.m. service.

The celebration of Toscano's life began Wednesday morning, with highway signs around Boston flashing, "Rest in Peace Firefighter Joseph A. Toscano."

Firefighters from nearby Newton, Waltham, Belmont and Cambridge covered at the Watertown Fire Department so Toscano's colleagues could say goodbye.

See Also: Watertown Fire: Firefighter, Father of 5, Dies Battling Blaze

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The eulogies, given by Toscano's daughter, Alyssa, Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Robert Quinn and friend Marcus DeFlorimonte, painted a picture of a dedicated family man and trustworthy friend, who loved cooking, photography and fishing, and frequently posted daily updates of his family's vacations.

"You were the center of his life, the core of his being, his heart and soul," DeFlorimonte said to the Toscano family.

Alyssa Toscano said her father's death was her "lifelong fear as a fireman's daughter."

"I am now living my worst nightmare," she said.

The Toscanos received the Martin E. Pierce Commemorative Line-of-Duty Death Medal at the service.

Below are scenes from the procession, where more than 700 firefighters gathered to pay tribute:

Top photo via MassDOT