'He truly enjoyed helping others': Webster Fire Dept. mourns unexpected death of firefighter

Toni Caushi, Telegram & Gazette
·2 min read
Black bunting is seen on Webster Fire Department headquarters Wednesday in honor of Firefighter Paul Cloutier, who died last week.
Black bunting is seen on Webster Fire Department headquarters Wednesday in honor of Firefighter Paul Cloutier, who died last week.

WEBSTER — Black bunting lines the Webster Fire Department following the passing of Firefighter Paul R. Cloutier, who died suddenly as he was preparing to respond to an emergency call last week.

Cloutier, 52, of Woodstock, Connecticut, was found deceased in his car the morning of Feb. 22.

A family member told authorities that Cloutier was seen a day earlier getting ready to head to Webster for a lake rescue, according to Webster Fire Chief Brian Hickey. Cloutier was a member of the Webster Fire/Rescue Dive Team.

Firefighter Paul R. Cloutier
Firefighter Paul R. Cloutier

On the afternoon of Feb. 21, Cloutier was called to an emergency call for a report of two kayaks and a canoe that capsized on Webster Lake, according to Hickey. He never reported to the call.

The chief said he was unsure of the cause of death.

Cloutier was a firefighter in Webster for two years, serving as a diver, available around the clock, according to Hickey.

He also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Muddy Brook Fire Department in Woodstock, where he was lieutenant and president.

“On behalf of Webster Fire/Rescue and the Town of Webster, I want to express our most heartfelt condolences to Paul’s family and loved ones,” Hickey said. “This is a terrible loss for them, for his brother and sister firefighters, and for our community. As a firefighter and a friend, Paul was a deeply valued member of our team and always ready to answer a call for help.”

No injuries were reported following the emergency at the lake.

Left home responding to a call

Family reported seeing Cloutier leave for the call from his Connecticut home shortly after the 4:20 p.m. call. He was found the following morning slumped over the steering wheel of his pickup truck, said Hickey.

Hickey described Cloutier as a physically strong person without any known illnesses.

The American flag is at half-staff and black bunting decorates the front of the Webster Fire Dept. headquarters Wednesday in honor of the death of Firefighter Paul Cloutier last week.
The American flag is at half-staff and black bunting decorates the front of the Webster Fire Dept. headquarters Wednesday in honor of the death of Firefighter Paul Cloutier last week.

Cloutier was born and raised in Vermont and moved to Massachusetts in 1989. He was a father of two and was known to often pay visits to his mother, who continues to live in Vermont. He was also an avid scuba diver and hunter.

"He truly enjoyed helping others," said Hickey.

Memorial services for Cloutier will be held Saturday at the Muddy Brook Fire Station, starting at 9:30 a.m.

At 10 a.m., a procession will leave the station through Route 169 to Route 197 and then to West Main Street, Dudley to reach Webster.

The procession will then continue through Webster on Main Street, through South and East Main streets. It will come to a final stop at the Webster fire station on Thompson Road, where another service will be held at 10:30 a.m.

Thompson Road will be closed from East Main Street to Hillside Avenue for the duration of the service.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Webster Fire Dept. mourns unexpected passing of firefighter Cloutier