Hudson remembers Captain Graziano

May 10, 2018 11:37 pm

HUDSON — City firefighters Thursday mourned the loss of one of their own.

The fire department announced Wednesday that Mark A. Graziano died in the line of duty after responding to two calls in a 24-hour period.

He was 47.

Under the state Volunteer Firefighter Benefit Law, if a firefighter dies from a medical emergency within 24 hours of an emergency call, it is considered a death in the line of duty, city Fire Commissioner Timothy Hutchings said.

Black flags were draped on fire trucks inside the station at 77 N. Seventh St. on Thursday. Outside, a sign read, “In memory of Captain & diver Mark Graziano. You will be missed.”

Graziano served the city fire department and J.W. Hoysradt Hose Co. No. 8 for most of his life. Graziano joined the Hudson Fire Department at age 14 as a junior member in the department’s Explorer program. The program, run through the Boy Scouts of America, allows teens opportunities to safely learn about firefighting before they are old enough to join their department.

He became a full-fledged firefighter at age 18 in 1989 and served his hometown until his death.

Firefighters remembered Graziano on Thursday as hard-working and always ready to lend a hand.

“Mark was always there to lend a helping hand to the new guys and to the veterans whenever needed,” firefighter Skip Kastner said. “Mark was one of the reasons why I joined the Hazmat team in Columbia County. Mark was, without a doubt, a true friend. He will be greatly missed.”

Graziano was found unresponsive at his Green Street home shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday — less than 24 hours after responding to two alarms in the city.

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