A longtime member of the Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department and Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service died at the station Friday.
Firefighter Charles ‘Rick’ Gentilcore, 52, was found unconscious at Fire Station 15 and crews were unable to resuscitate him.
Gentilcore began volunteering with Burtonsville VFD in 1994 and was later hired as a career firefighter by Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service, according to the Burtonsville VFD website.
They posted the following message on their website: "Many will remember his antics in the annual 'Burtonsville Bowl' football fiasco and his mischievous personality. Rick’s dedication to the BVFD continued even after being hired by the County as a firefighter. He continued to volunteer when he was able, maintaining relationships with those whom he had worked, and was thankful when he was assigned back to Station 15."
Burtonsville fire apparatus escorted Gentilcore's body to Baltimore in a procession that was attended by firefighters from Baltimore, Baltimore County, Howard County and Prince George's County firefighters, according to Montgomery County Fire spokesman Pete Piringer.
Gentilcore leaves behind his wife, Virginia, and son, Todd.
