A local firefighter is being remembered as a beloved friend and family man who was the epitome of joy and positivity.

Kyle Schlatter, 36, died last week in a motorcycle accident. Members of the Georgetown Fire Department in Redding are remembering him.

"He's going to leave a big loss for us here," said Georgetown Fire Assistant Chief Stephen Santa.

Black bunting hangs outside the Georgetown firehouse for Schlatter, who was a volunteer firefighter since 2019.

The Norwalk native's friends say he touched so many lives.

"He lit up the room when he was hanging out with us, you know, telling jokes and cheering people up, you know. He was the first person to go and meet a new person, when somebody new came in he'd be the first one there to introduce himself," said Santa.

A GoFundMe was set up for Schlatter's family to pay for funeral costs and to help support his wife Katie and their son Wyatt.

"I'm sure they're going to have some tough times ahead without him. It's going to be hard for the family," said Santa.

Schlatter was a lineman for Eversource during the day. Eversource spokesman Mitch Gross sent News 12 Connecticut this statement:

"The tragic news of the incident involving Kyle shocked our Eversource family. His colleagues are saddened and we're providing them with support services to help them through this difficult time.  Our heartfelt condolences go out to Kyle's family and friends."

Friends say Schlatter loved to joke around and recently won the Georgetown Day Chili Cookoff.

"He was very proud to win that chili cookoff this summer for the fire company, but he really did it all himself," said Santa.

There will be a wake 1-4 p.m. Friday at Raymond Funeral Home in Norwalk followed by a reception at the Georgetown firehouse.

Schlatter was also a member of the Fairfield Yankees Rugby Football Club.