By Aaron Curtis
The Sun
PELHAM, N.H. — After years of public service, Robert Laflamme had considered retiring from his duties with PrideStar Trinity EMS, but his devotion to helping others led to his decision to stick around a few more years.
Among his responsibilities with the emergency and nonemergency transportation company, Laflamme operated a vehicle for PrideStar Student Transport, which included driving special-needs children to and from school in Lowell.
Laflamme, a retired Lowell firefighter, had developed a close bond with one student in particular. David Daly, president and CEO of the parent company that owns PrideStar Trinity EMS, said the student and Laflamme adored each other. Their bond played a key role in Laflamme’s decision to shelve retirement.
“Part of Rob’s calling was to stay on and continue to help transport this child to and from school,” Daly said. “The guy was so committed to this child. It was amazing to see.”
Bonding with a man like Laflamme was easy, according to Chris Dick, the senior vice president of public relations and marketing for PrideStar Trinity EMS.
“He was a funny, nice guy, and he just liked taking care of people,” Dick said. “He was a good man.”
On Wednesday, tragedy struck Laflamme’s colleagues and all those who knew him. Laflamme, 69, of Manchester, N.H., died from the injuries he sustained that morning in a head-on motor vehicle collision in Pelham, N.H. At the time of the crash, Laflamme was driving to work in a PrideStar Trinity EMS nonemergency vehicle.
“Devastation is the only word to use,” Daly said. “He touched a lot of lives. He was so dedicated and loyal to this job and this clientele. He’s going to be missed.”
When it came to his duties at PrideStar Trinity EMS, Dick compared Laflamme to retired NFL player Troy Brown. Brown was a star with the New England Patriots, playing all phases of the game, including offense, defense and special teams.
According to Dick, Laflamme wore multiple hats with PrideStar Trinity EMS, operating both ambulance and student transportation vehicles.
“He’s just one of those loyal, committed and trustworthy guys who is so dependable,” Daly said. “He was a huge asset to this company.”
Laflamme started working for PrideStar in 2017, following a lengthy career with the Lowell Fire Department.
According to Laflamme’s Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, he served with the Lowell Fire Department from May 1983 to October 2010. He concluded his time there as a department investigator.
A GoFundMe account created to benefit Laflamme’s family can be accessed at bit.ly/43E8jFs.
The crash that killed Laflamme remains under investigation by the Pelham Police Department with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team.
The two-vehicle wreck took place at approximately 5:50 a.m. Wednesday, on Bridge Street, just south of Hobbs Road. Laflamme and the driver of the other vehicle were the only two people involved.
Police Lt. Brian Barbato said late Wednesday afternoon the other driver, who has not been identified by police, was in critical condition at a Boston hospital.
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