Well-Loved Davie Fire Chief Laid To Rest
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DAVIE (CBSMiami) -- Locals are laying to rest a well-loved servant of the community - their fire chief who died unexpectedly.
Davie Fire Rescue Chief and Emergency Manager Joseph J. Montopoli, 57, passed away last week from a heart attack while at his home.
"His loss is a big loss to the department. He was a mentor and a leader. It is a very big loss," said Robert Taylor with Davie Fire Rescue.
A little more than a week later, friends, family and colleagues are paying their respects with a full honor's funeral.
"He was a solid family man with three values - family, faith and the profession. He loved the fire service. He gave 100 percent. He was a well-loved individual. He was the best person that can carry out the job," said Lighthouse Point Fire Chief David Donzella.
Surrounded by colleagues, his flag-draped casket was loaded onto a fire truck Tuesday morning and taken through the streets of South Florida.
A large procession accompanied the truck from Hollywood to the church in North Miami Beach where services were held.
Fire personnel were in full salute as the fire truck with Montopoli's casket crossed in front of their fire stations in Davie, Hollywood and Pembroke Pines.
For the past 10 years Montopoli served as the fire chief for the town of Davie Fire Department. Before that, he spent 25 years with Pembroke Pines.
He's described as a well-respected and loved man who touched and saved many lives.
"He was a very humble individual, didn't look for all the fanfare. This is a tribute to the legacy he left in the fire service in Broward County," said Chief Donzella.
The burial with honors will be held at Fred Hunter's Cemetery located at 6301 Taft Street back in Hollywood. Friends, family, colleagues and those who want to pay respect to Montopoli may also join in his celebration of life after the burial until 8 p.m. That will be held at the Davie Pine Island Park Multipurpose Center located at 3801 S. Pine Island Road.
