TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) The Golder Ranch Fire District is mourning the loss of one of its firefighters.
In a press release sent Wednesday the district said firefighter Jose Samaniego died Monday. He was hospitalized with a serious illness last week, didn't respond to treatment, and his health rapidly declined.
Samaniego was married and a father of four young children. A memorial fund was sent up to support his family and so far more than $14,000 has been donated.
Before joining Golder Ranch in 2012, Samaniego was a wildland firefighter and worked for the Avra Valley Fire District and Raytheon. He was trained in technical rescues and hazardous material incidents as part of a special operations team.
The fire district says Samaniego helped organize fundraising opportunities for local foster families and was on the board of the North Tucson Firefighter's Association Local 3832.
Below is a statement from the Golder Ranch Fire Chief Randy Karrer:
Firefighter Samaniego wore his heart on his sleeve and had a passion for community service. He worked diligently alongside his brothers and sisters in the fire service to respond to the needs of his community and also donated countless hours off duty to give back to those in need.
Services for Samaniego will be held on Monday.
