ENGLEWOOD, Fla.- South Trail Fire District Chief William Lombardo recalls the last call over the radio airwaves last Sunday night.

"Please let be known that on this day, fire fighter Kenneth Murtaugh, Junior answered his last call..." was the line heard around the county's fire radios.

Chief Lombardo says it gave him chills, his fire fighter brother was gone.

Kenneth Murtaugh, Junior had drowned in the canal behind his Port Charlotte home.

On Saturday, Murtaugh's fire department family stepped in to show the community and Murtaugh's family what his life and service meant.

He was honored in a modified fire department funeral at the Suncoast Worship Center in Englewood.

"Death is just a terrible thing there's nothing we can do anything to ease that pain. all we can do is pay tribute to him for what he did," said Chief Lombardo.

Murtaugh, Junior is remembered as a man who dedicated his life to serve.

He spent twenty years with the Coast Guard and when he retired, he chose to continue what his family recalls as his passion for service to country and community.

So he joined the South Trail Fire District two years ago as a fire fighter.

"I know he wanted to do another 20 years with the fire department," said Chief Lombardo, "He was one of those people who truly gave back. I know you hear that sometimes about people and in this case, it is absolutely true."

While he loved to serve, Murtaugh was also remembered for his ultimate passion...his family.

He leaves behind a wife, four children and three step children. But he was also a son, brother and uncle.

Honored today as he was in life, as their hero.

A memorial fund has been set up in Murtaugh, Junior's name at Colonial Bank.