It is with regret that the Office of Fire Prevention and Control announced the death in the line of duty of volunteer Firefighter Michael D. Sowich, age 50, of the New Hartford Fire Department on March 2, 2007. Sowich was a longtime former member and training officer of Sherrill-Kenwood Fire Department. Additionally, he served as a state fire instructor with the Office of Fire Prevention and Control, a fire instructor with Oneida County, fire inspector with the city of Sherrill, and an OSHA workshop instructor for the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs.
Sowich died while attending training during the New York State Weekend program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md. He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter Lisa Marie, and many other relatives.
Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, at Eannace Funeral Home, 932 South Street (corner of Hammond Avenue), Utica, NY, 13501 (800-357-3019). Uniformed fire personnel will gather at the conclusion of visitation hours at 8:00 p.m.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 8 at the funeral home and for 1:00 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 422 Tilden Avenue, Utica, NY. Personnel and apparatus will stage at the New Hartford Shopping Center. Please contact the Oneida County Fire Emergency Service office at 315-765-2345 for further details.
The family requests that no flowers be sent. However, those wishing to do so may make a memorial contribution in Michael’s honor for the establishment of a scholarship fund for his daughter Lisa. Checks can be made payable to the family and mailed in care of the funeral home.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Michael Sowich and the members of New Hartford Fire Department.