A Chicopee firefighter died after collapsing during a workout Thursday.
Anthony Spano, 47, said he felt back pain after a lift assist call with continued working his shift, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. After completing his shift, Spano fell ill while exercising at the gym and passed away.
Spano served the Chicopee Fire Department for 14 years as a Firefighter/EMT.
Chicopee Local 1710 firefighters union called Spano “a true guardian angel."
According to his Spano's obituary, he completed in several marathons.
“Please keep in your prayers the family of Brother Spano as well as the Brothers and Sisters of Chicopee Local 1710,” said Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts President Richard MacKinnon Jr. said in statement.
Calling hours are on Tuesday, 4 - 7 p.m. at Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home in Chicopee Falls. The funeral will be 9 a.m. Wednesday at Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home, followed by a burial at Holy Name of Jesus Church at Assumption in Chicopee at 10 am. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Chicopee.
