A beloved member of the Bridgeport Fire Department is being remembered for his decades of service to the city.

Officials say Fire Marshal Alberto Hernandez died suddenly on Monday at the age of 63.

Fire Chief Lance Edwards says the 24-year veteran of the department served as fire marshal for the last four years and leaves a lasting imprint on Bridgeport.

"He was always a breath of fresh air. No one had anything negative or bad to say about Al," said Edwards.

Officials say Hernandez was looking forward to retiring soon and spending more time with his family.

Edwards says Hernandez was highly regarded by his peers for his investigative skills honed over a career in the fire service.

"He talked about how proud he was to be a fire marshal here in Bridgeport," said Edwards.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim says Hernandez will be remembered for his warm human side and for leaving a lasting imprint on Bridgeport.

"The infectious laugh, the personality that endeared himself to his coworkers both within the fire marshal's unit, throughout the department, throughout the city government," said Ganim.

The U.S. flags in Bridgeport were ordered to be at half-staff in memory of Hernandez.