Flags at half-staff for fallen Monessen firefighter
The family launched an online fundraiser to help with Carl Watson’s funeral expenses.
A Monessen firefighter passed away unexpectedly, and the family needs help covering funeral costs.
Carl Watson, who served as a captain of Monessen Volunteer Fire Department No. 2, died Friday.
The Watson family launched an online fundraiser through GoFund-Me to raise funds for the funeral.
“Due to this being very unexpected, my family is in desperate need of funeral funds,” Madison Watson, who said Carl was her father, wrote on the GoFundMe page. “We didn’t have any of this planned because he was only 49 years old. Anyone who knows my dad knows how willing he was to help anyone he could.”
In the post, Madison Watson said her father collapsed outside their home while letting their dogs outside.
“We were unaware that he had collapsed; he was out there for some time. Unfortunately, when we came to realize he was still outside, it was too late,” Madison Watson wrote. “He had gone into cardiac arrest and already passed away. I had to make the gruesome phone call to 911 as I was trying to console my mom, while also giving CPR to my dad.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered all United States and Pennsylvania flags at half-staff Monday at state facilities, public buildings and grounds in Westmoreland County in honor of Watson. The flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on Monday.
Watson served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2014, according to his obituary. He completed two tours of duty in Iraq, receiving a combat medic badge. He also spent time as an EMT and served as a dispatcher for Westmoreland and Armstrong counties.
As of press time, the Go-FundMe has raised $9,452 of its $10,000 goal.
“He spent 14 years as a medic in the U.S. Army, had years of being an EMT, and has been a volunteer firefighter ever since I could remember,” Madison Watson wrote about her father. “We hope you are all able to and willing to help us the way he has helped everyone he’s come in contact with. We just really need the help right now.”
The Ferguson Funeral Home & Crematory Inc, in Belle Vernon is in charge of funeral arrangements.
To donate to the Watson family, go to gofundme.com/f/urgent- funeral-funds-for-the-watson- family?.
