Ansonia FD Works To Add Fallen Firefighter's Name To State Memorial

The center article from this 1900 edition of The Evening Sentinel has information on Cotter's death.

ANSONIA — Samuel E. Cotter, a volunteer firefighter with Eagle Hose Hook & Ladder Co. No. 6, was working on the city’s alarm system on July 4, 1900, when an unthinkable accident happened.

According to an article in the former Evening Sentinel, dated July 5, 1900, Cotter had climbed atop a telephone pole to make some repairs to the system, when he became entangled in the wires and was electrocuted.

Cotter died before rescue workers were able to lower him to the ground, according to the article. He was 54 years old.

A photo of the Connecticut Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Windsor Locks. A name of an Ansonia firefighter is missing from the tribute.

Fast forward 122 years later, where present day Ansonia Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief and Eagle Hose Co. Fire Chief Anthony DeLucia, heard rumblings of the tragic tale over the years, but never had solid proof — until now. It wasn’t until recently when members came across the article and discovered how Cotter met with his untimely death.

There have always been stories that have been passed down through the generations at the firehouse,” DeLucia said. We started asking around and found some information.”

DeLucia credited Derby Fire Chief David Lenart, Gene Sharkey, a longtime Webster Hose Co. firefighter and Jen Shuart, head children’s librarian at Ansonia Public Library, for working to find information about Cotter.

DeLucia and his fellow Eagle Hose members want to give Cotter the recognition he deserves by getting his name listed on the Connecticut Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Windsor Locks.

DeLucia enlisted the help of longtime Derby firefighter Chuck Stankye, who assisted with filling out paperwork needed to submit Cotter’s name for consideration by the state’s memorial committee. DeLucia said it’s likely they’ll be successful in their quest, especially since he has already received verbal confirmation from the state that the application was accepted. DeLucia expects an official letter declaring Cotter’s name will be included on the memorial to follow soon.

The memorial, located at 34 Perimeter Road at the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks, was built in 2003, and features the names of fallen Connecticut firefighters who died in the line of duty. Their names are inscribed on granite tablets that encircle the base of the memorial.

The Cotter incident wasn’t recognized by the state, we presume, because it was not common practice then to memorialize fallen firefighters,” DeLucia said. Once we learned of his passing while on duty, we felt it was our obligation to make sure he was recognized for his commitment to the city and her fire department. The Evening Sentinel article mentions how he was a prominent member of the community and we felt it was an honor he deserved.”

Cotter is a well-known name in Valley emergency services. Derby’s Edward J. Cotter was a co-founder of the Storm Engine Co. Ambulance and Rescue Corps, in addition to being a photographer with The Evening Sentinel and The New Haven Register.

But Lenart, Ed Cotter’s grandson, said it’s not clear Samuel Cotter was a relative.

Lenart said he was doing research at the Derby Public Library when he came across the article in the Evening Sentinel on microfiche about Ansonia’s Cotter. He delved deeper into the matter.

Anthony (DeLucia) grew up across the street from Pa (Grandpa Eddie) and we were together all the time as kids,” Lenart said. So I called him and told him about the article. Samuel’s name is on the fire bell at Webster Hose, but not on the state memorial. To be electrocuted while fixing an alarm should be noted and have its place in history.”

DeLucia said the department planned to hold a ceremony on July 10 at Cotter’s grave site at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Ansonia to mark the anniversary of his passing. They also plan to visit the state memorial in September, when an annual ceremony unveiling the names of newly inducted members is held.

This is definitely a story that deserves to be told at this point,” Lenart said.

Eagle Hose volunteer firefighter Christopher Schwarz agreed.

All of the companies that make up the Ansonia Fire Department do a tremendous job of preserving and honoring their history,” Schwarz said. The department was built on the backs of men like Samuel Cotter and pursuing this honor keeps us in touch with our rich history.”

Photo of the Sunday ceremony courtesy of Anthony Mullin.

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