Firefighters mourn loss of 43 year veteran killed in crash

By: Melissa Randall

Email: mrandall@abc6.com

Twitter: MRandallABC6

Burrillville, R.I. (WLNE) — Harrisville firefighters are mourning the loss of own of their own. Lawrence “Larry Catonguay, a 43-year veteran of the department, was killed in a car crash while off duty late Wednesday night. His wife, Marie, was also seriously injured in the accident.

Black bunting was hung outside the station in memory of Castonguay,73. A flag, reading ‘in memoriam’, was draped over his locker, number 21, and Larry’s seat in the meeting room has been reserved in his memory. 

At 73 years old, Castonguay was a staple at the fire house. His co-workers say he had a smile that could brighten any room. His dedication to the community, they say, always shined through. He was also known as the handy man among the group. They were shocked to learn the sad news.

“Larry had just over come a lot of medical issues that put him out of service for a while and he just got clearance a couple of weeks ago by his doctor to come back and be active again. He was looking forward to getting back to his normal and then this happens,” said Mark St. Pierre, the Harrisville Fire Chief.

Police say Police say Samuel Smith, 27, of Connecticut was leaving Cady’s Tavern on Route 44 in Glocester around 10 p.m. when he lost control of his car.

Smith’s vehicle hit the Castonguay’s. The impact sent their car flying into a tree on Putnam Pike.First responders pulled the couple from the wreckage and rushed them to Rhode Island Hospital. Lawrence later died of his injuries. 

In addition to his wife, Catonguay leaves behind two adult children.He was an active member of St. Patrick’s Church in Burrillville and was part ofthe Brothers of the Sacred Heart Organization.

Smith was arraigned on charges of driving to endanger death resulting. He was held on $10,000 surety bail. 

© WLNE-TV 2017