The Hudson Valley is grieving the loss of Cottekill Fire Chief David A. Gagnon, who died Friday, July 3, after being struck by a falling tree while responding to a storm-related call in the Town of Rosendale.
Just after 3 p.m., the Cottekill Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a downed tree blocking Lucas Turnpike near the Rosendale Police Department. As crews worked to clear the roadway, a portion of the tree unexpectedly snapped loose and struck Chief Gagnon.
Personnel from multiple agencies rushed to help, including:
- Cottekill firefighters on scene
- The Bloomington Fire District
- Marbletown First Aid and the Marbletown Rescue Squad
- A Kingston Fire Department paramedic
- The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office
- The Rosendale Police Department
Rather than wait for a medevac helicopter, the Marbletown Rescue Squad transported Chief Gagnon directly to Health Alliance Hospital while he was in traumatic arrest. Despite the efforts of first responders and hospital staff, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
Remembering a Life of Service
Chief Gagnon’s death has drawn an outpouring of grief and tribute from fire departments and community organizations across the region. The Cottekill Fire Department honored him in a statement, saying he served the district and his community with dedication, leadership and commitment, and that his passing represents a profound loss for his family, fellow firefighters and the community he protected.
The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office extended condolences to the Cottekill Volunteer Fire Company and Gagnon’s family, describing his years of service as exemplary and asking the public to keep his family and fellow firefighters in their thoughts during this difficult time.
The Ulster Chamber of Commerce also mourned his loss, noting that Gagnon previously served as the chamber’s Chairman of the Board and helped guide the organization through the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Officials there remembered him as more than a leader, calling him a close friend who continued offering advice and support to the chamber long after his term ended.
Beyond his role with the fire department, Gagnon was known throughout Ulster County as a longtime partner at Gagnon CPA’s, a business he had been part of since 1989, and for his military service, including time with the New York Army National Guard and decades with the U.S. Army, where he served as a Regimental Commander and Chief of Protection for the 42nd Infantry Division before retiring in 2019.
Neighboring departments, including the High Falls Fire Department and Plattekill Fire Department, have also shared messages honoring his memory, describing him as a mentor and friend whose impact reached far beyond emergency calls.
The Cottekill Fire Department said information about memorial services will be released when arrangements are finalized. The community continues to share tributes online as word of his death spreads across the region.
