MARK SUBASIC

BRIDGEPORT — The Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department announced Monday night that longtime Fire Chief Mark Subasic had died unexpectedly at age 67.

“It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the Bridgeport Fire Department announces the passing of Fire Chief Mark S. Subasic,” the department posted on its social media. “Please keep the Chief’s family in your thoughts and prayers. Rest easy Chief, we will take it from here. Until we meet again.”

Subasic served on the Bridgeport fire department for 50 years, spending the last 34 years as its chief. He was also a founding member of the Bridgeport Fire Department Ambulance and Paramedic Service and a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 by the Belmont County Fire and Squad Officers Association.

In addition to his service with the fire department, Mark also served as an off-ice official for the Wheeling Nailers for 20 years and retired from the Belmont County Water Department.

Bridgeport Assistant Police Chief Darby Copeland said that he was shocked and saddened to learn of Subasic’s passing.

“We were saddened by the untimely, unexpected loss of Chief Subasic. Chief Subasic was a pillar of the Bridgeport community for decades,” Copeland said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Subasic’s daughter Krystin Kovalski took to social media to thank residents who have reached out to her family while honoring her late father.

“He was the definition of dedication to this department and our family. I’m not sure how any of us will continue on without him but knowing he touched so many lives is comforting. Keep us in your prayers this week as none of us are OK,” Kovalski said.

Copeland added that Subasic has been fire chief since the 1990s and has played a crucial role in the community for as long as he can remember.

“I would go so far as to say during his career as a firefighter, paramedic and fire chief he has essentially touched every family in the community at one time or another during what was often their worst day,” Copeland said. “He consistently came out on calls, sacrificing his own time with his family to help others for free.”

He added that Subasic’s death is certainly going to be a huge loss to the community.

“​​He was a true gentleman and a great guy,” Copeland said.

Visitation will be held Friday from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 920 National Rd., Brookside, Ohio 43912 with a Fire Department Service beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues at Wilson Funeral Home from 9-11 a.m. Saturday with an 11 a.m. funeral service.