By Patricia Villers, Register Staff

DERBY — Grieving friends and family gathered early Thursday evening at City Hall to celebrate the life and legacy of David Kostrey.

Kostrey, 57, died early Wednesday in a blaze at his home at 196 Derby Ave.

Kostrey rescued his sister, Joann Raytar, and went back into the burning house to try to save his beloved Shih Tzu, Pookie. The dog didn’t survive.

Kostrey was an assistant director in the Office of Emergency Management, and an avid amateur ham radio operator. He was a member of the Greater Bridgeport Amateur Radio Club, and fellow members hailed him as a hero.

Several fought back tears as they remembered a quiet, unassuming man.

The memorial was held in the OEM auditorium in City Hall basement. It included a slide show of Kostrey at work and with his ham radio friends. A reception was held afterward.

Raytar and their other sister, Susan Orner, briefly addressed the group, their voices trembling. Orner said, “He was the best brother in the world. Because of him, I have her,” referring to her sister. “I know he loved everybody here very, very much.”

Raytar added, “You guys were his life.”

Club member Sheldon Yessenow of Trumbull, a Stratford veterinarian and director of Region 1, Connecticut State Animal Response Team, talked of the deep bond between Kostrey and his dog.

“This is the strongest example to demonstrate the human-animal bond,” Yessenow said. “That dog meant so much to him.” He said Kostrey attempted to save Pookie “without regard to his own personal safety.” Continued...

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Friends said Pookie was always by Kostrey’s side, and was a mascot for the Office of Emergency Management.

Mayor Anthony Staffieri said, “Dave was a fixture, but a fixture that you looked forward to seeing. He made sure he grabbed my attention. He slowed me down,” Staffieri said, his voice choked with emotion. “The guy was a great person and we will all miss him tremendously.”

Greater Bridgeport Amateur Radio Club President John Russo of Waterbury talked about the fleeting nature of life. “Things happen that you really can’t understand or explain,” he said. “This is one of those times.”

Jim Eastwood, fire rescue coordinator for Fairfield County, said he was heartbroken. “This guy personified the Valley. He didn’t have a lot in his pocket, but he had a heart bigger than this building.”

Fire Chief Jim Butler said he knew Kostrey as a professional and as a person. “He did a lot for us and he never wanted any credit.”

Kevin Cellini of Trumbull, chief communications officer for OEM, said Kostrey was “a special person. He was friends with everybody.”

OEM Director Vincent Vizzo, a retired police officer, was choked up as he addressed the group. He said when he learned that his colleague had died in the blaze, “it tore me apart.” Vizzo said he met Kostrey four years ago. “He was a great asset to Derby. I’m going to miss him unbelievably.”

Fire Marshal Phil Hawks determined the origin of the blaze was “accidental.”

Contact Patricia Villers at pvillers@nhregister.com.

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