Thursday, 4:30 PM
Boston firefighters mourn fallen colleague
(George Rizer/Globe Staff)
Fire Lieutenant Dwaine Daye held up a denim jacket today in front of the locker of firefighter David A. Middleton, who died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday after a shift. Middleton, who was an expert with an air brush, designed the jacket and several others for his colleagues in the firehouse.
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff
At the castle-like firehouse in Brighton's Oak Square today, Boston firefighters mourned their colleague, firefighter David A. Middleton, who died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack after finishing his shift.
Boston fire officials consider the death of the 38-year-old father of two a line-of-duty death because he worked several incidents Sunday night. Middleton complained of "not feeling myself today" but stayed at Engine 51 until his shift ended Monday at 8 a.m., according to Lieutenant Dwaine Daye.
Daye, who knew Middleton growing up and attended Melrose schools with him as a fellow Metco student, said he remembered the comment because it was out of character.
"He wasn't the type to complain," Daye said today in an interview. "He stayed on duty."
Colleagues recalled Middleton's big smile, shaved head, and his muscular, six-pack stomach that the fitness buff kept with a daily diet that didn't include sugar and other potentially unhealthy foods.
His good health made it that much more of a shock when fellow firefighters were called to Middleton's Dorchester home when he suffered an apparent heart attack. The cause of death is pending an autopsy by the medical examiner, fire officials said.
"It hits close to home," said firefighter Roosevelt Robinson, a colleague and friend. "It's kind of hard on us, dealing with it. There were no signs, no symptoms."
The department and Middleton's family were making funeral arrangements.
"He was a great guy. Period," said Daye. "Still is."
