For Immediate Release

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

North Attleboro Fire Department Mourns Line of Duty Death of Firefighter Christopher Cornetta

NORTH ATTLEBORO — It is with a heavy heart that Chief Michael Brousseau announces the line of duty death of longtime North Attleboro Firefighter Christopher Cornetta on Monday morning.

Firefighter Cornetta, age 51, served as a firefighter for the department for 29 years. He was using a snowblower in his driveway after a snowstorm on Monday morning, March 4, when he collapsed at approximately 6 a.m. His brother firefighters responded to his home and transported him via ambulance to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

Firefighter Cornetta was the loving husband of Melissa Coyle Cornetta and father to their amazing two children Cirsten, age 22, and Cameren, age 19. He cherished his family immensely and had endless love for them.

“Chris was a dedicated firefighter and EMT who served our community proudly for nearly 30 years,” Chief Brousseau said. “We are a close-knit department here and Chris was one of our brothers. Our hearts are with the Cornetta family as they come to terms with this tragedy and we proudly stand behind them in this most difficult of times.”

A North Attleboro native, Firefighter Cornetta joined the department as a call firefighter on Oct. 1, 1989. He became a permanent firefighter/EMT in 1993. His most recent assignment was on Ladder 1 on A Platoon. He had finished his 24-hour shift at 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 3, and was scheduled to work at 8 a.m. on Monday.

Firefighter Cornetta was a pillar of the North Attleboro community and was known for his outgoing personality. He was a longtime youth football coach and a proud member of the North Attleboro Firefighter’s Kid’s Day Association. He was an avid sports fan and was also known for his love of the New England Patriots.

Funeral Arrangements

Visiting Hours

• Friday from 4-8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Parish, 105 Stanley St., North Attleboro

Funeral Mass and Burial

• Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church, 14 Park St., North Attleboro. Burial to follow the service at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 240 Towne St., North Attleboro.

*Further details about the arrangements and staging instructions for media members planning to attend the visiting hours or funeral Mass will be provided in a separate announcement.

Family Statement

“Our family would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts who have shown us such amazing support and compassion over these past two days. Chris was truly loved by so many and we will cherish all of the memories we shared with him. In lieu of flowers we would like to ask that donations be made to either the North Attleboro Firefighter’s Kid’s Day Association or North Attleboro Junior Football, both organizations that meant a great deal to Chris.”

Donations can be made directly to the North Attleboro Firefighter’s Kid’s Day Association by visiting their website or by mailing a check to:

North Attleboro Firefighter’s Kid’s Day Association

P.O. Box 3215

North Attleboro, MA 02761

To donate to North Attleboro Junior Football, please visit their website and send a message through their Contact Info page.

Firefighter Cornetta’s family asks that members of the media respect their privacy during this difficult time.

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