On Monday, loved ones said goodbye to Assistant Fire Chief of Botsford Fire Rescue Peter "Pete" Blomberg, of Newtown.
The 72-year-old was struck and killed by a pickup truck last week while on his way to a Fire Commissioners meeting. Officials are considering this a line-of-duty death.
Those who knew and loved him say Blomberg was a great storyteller, a lover of rock music and a Harley-Davidson enthusiast. He was a well-respected firefighter, committed to his department and helping others.
"He never said no when there was a call for help whether it came in the line of duty or from someone he learned who just needed a helping hand," said Bill McCallister, former Assistant Chief of Botsford Fire Rescue.
Blomberg started his fire career more than 50 years ago at Hawleyville Fire Company in Newtown. Then he worked with the United Fire Company of Botsford, now known as the Botsford Fire Rescue, where he rose through the ranks to become the assistant fire chief.
He was also a certified state fire instructor, a certified station evaluator and held a maintenance position in the Newtown Public School System until his retirement six weeks ago.
He responded to two calls on the day of his death and will always be remembered as a dedicated firefighter.
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First responders came together on Monday to pay their respects.
"As volunteer firefighters, there are a lot of sacrifices made and he continued to do that for 50 years, and it speaks volumes to Assistant Chief Blomberg's person," Jason Mangini, president of the Morris Fire Company, said.
