Passaic firefighter, 33, dies of coronavirus complications

PASSAIC — Early Tuesday morning, firefighter Israel Tolentino, 33, died of COVID-19 complications at St. Mary's Hospital, said Mayor Hector Lora.

A firefighter since December 2018, the father of two young children died at 3 a.m., Lora and Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost said during a live Facebook announcement Tuesday at 10 a.m.

"Tolentino courageously fought this illness but succumbed to complications from the COVID-19," Lora said.

"This is a clear line of duty death," Trentacost said.

Tolentino was originally hired for the department as a full-time EMT and continued to serve some shifts in that role as well as volunteer for the community emergency response team.

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"He was very dedicated to the city," Lora said. "Israel was a great firefighter, person, husband, son and father." The mayor and chief asked for the community's "thoughts and prayers for him and his family."

Tolentino is survived by his wife, Maria, a daughter, 9, and a son, 7.

Trentacost said he reached out to Tolentino's wife and family immediately after he learned of his death. Right after, he said he went to the Westside firehouse where Tolentino was stationed to notify the firefighters on duty.

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"As it turns out that would have been his shift," Trentacost said.

He also visited the Eastside firehouse to inform firefighters on duty of their colleague's death.

At noon, the city's first responders escorted the body to Alvarez Funeral Home on Passaic Avenue. Trentacost said it was an impromptu memorial as he had less than an hour to work out the arrangements.

Firefighters, police and EMTs wearing medical and N95 masks lined up and saluted as the hearse drove by.

At the same time, Lora said he stood on the porch of Tolentino's parents' house with his mother Consuelo.

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"She was distraught," Lora said. He said not only was she grieving the loss of a son but also concerned for her husband, Israel, Sr. who is at St. Mary's Hospital battling the disease.

Lora said initially he thought Israel Jr. was on the mend. After being separated for more than two weeks from the department, one of his last acts as a firefighter was to serve in the honor guard that honored two Passaic firefighters who died in the line of duty 50 years ago.

Trentacost and Passaic's police chief, Luis Guzman, were also present at the impromptu memorial. Both said the members of their departments are very worried.

"We know how to fight something we can see," Guzman said. "We haven't trained for this."

"The EMTs are overworked right now," the chief said.

Trentacost said, "If someone wants to help us they will send us more protective equipment. He said the department is especially low on masks.

Matt Fagan is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: fagan@northjersey.com Twitter: @fagan_nj