FAIRFIELD — Bridgeport Fire Capt. Francis Federici decided to cover a colleague's shift on March 3, 1982.
During a house fire that day, the 52-year-old thought two firefighters were trapped inside.
"He went into the fire to find them," his sister, 79-year-old Louise Marshall, of Bridgeport, said.
He never came back out.
Marshall and her daughter, 53-year-old Judy Lewonczyk of Ansonia, and about 200 others remembered Federici Tuesday evening at the 22nd annual memorial service for fallen firefighters at St. Thomas Church on the Post Road. Fairfield County municipalities rotate holding the ceremony.
"He was a really great guy," Lewonczyk said of Marshall.
He and 32 others in local fire departments who died in the line of duty, and 19 retired firefighters who recently died, were also honored by the Bridgeport Area Retired Firefighters group.
"I think it's wonderful. They do a nice job," Marshall said of the ceremony.
Albert Meehan was among the deceased retirees. His wife, Mary, 74, of the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, attended the memorial for the first time.
Her cousin, Nora Carr, 80, also of Bridgeport, was with her. Carr was also married to a Bridgeport firefighter, John Carr.
Both have sons who are lieutenants in the Bridgeport Fire Department.
Ministers read gospel passages, and the Rev. Victor Martin praised firefighters.
"Every moment of every day these firefighters are on duty," Martin said. "We see them racing into buildings on fire because lives are to be saved.
"Firefighters are our friends," he said. "We pause to remember those who serve us today and those who served us."
Firefighters from throughout Fairfield County then placed helmets at the altar, and a bell was rung as each name was read.
Fairfield Fire Chief Richard Felner said firefighters are "a family related by honor, duty, sacrifice and tradition."
Referring to the helmets, he said people should not forget that "They were once worn by people who died in the line of duty."
