Stamford emergency dispatchers are mourning the loss of one of their own Monday.

Randy Samaha, 39, died in a single-car crash Friday evening. Authorities say Samaha's minivan crashed into a tree on a traffic island on Barnum Avenue Cutoff in Stratford. He died on the way to Bridgeport Hospital.

Samaha's friends and colleagues say they will always remember him working the midnight shift, talking about his favorite football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and keeping everyone laughing. Samaha was a volunteer firefighter for 10 years and was set to celebrate his 14-year anniversary at the 911 dispatch center.

Stratford officials say they are still investigating the crash that killed Samaha, and an autopsy is expected at the end of the week.

Samaha is survived by his wife, 5-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. A wake is scheduled for Tuesday in Stamford and a funeral is planned for Wednesday in Darien.