By Frank Juliano
Connecticut Post
STRATFORD, Conn. — Friends have begun online fundraising to assist the family of a town firefighter and youth sports coach who died suddenly on the day after Christmas.
Jason Carrafiello, who also coached freshmen boys’ basketball at St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, leave his wife Jessica and two children.
The YouCaring.com page was set up by family friends Gerald and Melissa Casey.
“December started out difficult for the Carrafiellos,’’ the Caseys wrote. “It started with Jessica breaking her ankle rough housing with her son. Then not only 12 hours later Jay tore his achilles (tendon)while coaching the St. Joe’s freshman basketball team. Both injuries required surgery, leaving them out of work for at least the next couple of months.
“This is difficult at any time of the year; especially at Christmas. Many of you know how strong and independent they are as a family and would never ask for help, but would be the first there for anyone in time of need.’’
Carrafiello was 38 when he died suddenly at his home on Dec. 26. His fellow Stratford firefighters and EMTs rushed to the house and made a valiant effort to save his life but he was pronounced dead at Bridgeport Hospital.
“This unbelievable loss has forever changed the loves of his life, wife Jessica, daughter Caitlyn (18) a freshman at Southern Connecticut and son Brian (14), a freshman at Bunnell (High), as well as his father Brian and sister Nichole,’’ the YouCaring.com page says.
Stratford firefighters hung black bunting over the headquarters main entrance, and Mayor John Harkins ordered all flags to be lowered to half-mast in Carrafiello’s memory.
“Jay Carrafiello was a valued employee and member of the Stratford Fire Department family,” Harkins said. “He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.”
A lifelong town resident and a graduate of Stratford High, Carrafiello received an Academic All American Award in football in 1996. He became a Stratford firefighter in 2004 and was also a state-licensed emergency medical technician.
Carrafiello coached the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball team at St. James to back-to-back New England championships and was the athletic director for St. James School. He was also a coach in Shelton’s youth football program.