Celebration of life announced for firefighter killed in ATV accident

Rochester, New York – Following an ATV accident in the Catskills on Saturday, Lt. David Sidorenko passed away, and a celebration of life was declared.

In Hardenburgh, Lt. Sidorenko was operating an ATV south on Dry Brook Road when he veered off the road and collided with a group of trees, causing him to be ejected from the vehicle, according to New York State Police.

After being taken to Margaritaville Memorial Hospital, Sidorenko died there. He was fifty-five.

Sidorenko served in the Rochester Fire Department as a lieutenant. He improved the firehouse, ice rink, and those around him, according to a social media post from the firefighter’s union. They stated his fellow firefighters would miss him terribly.

City Councilmember Willie J. Lightfoot, a retired RFD fireman, expressed sympathy for Sidorenko’s family and the circumstances in a statement issued on Wednesday. He called Sidorenko a “true hero” and an inspiration to many, writing:

“As a retired member of the Rochester Fire Department, I understand the profound sense of loss that his family, friends, and fellow firefighters are experiencing. The bond shared among firefighters is a unique and powerful one, forged through the shared experiences of risking our lives to save others. Lt. Sidorenko embodied the very essence of this spirit, and his absence will be deeply felt by all of us.
In my role as Public Safety Committee Chair for the City Council, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Lt. Sidorenko’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Our community has lost a true hero, and it is important that we come together to support one another and honor his memory.
We will remember his courage, dedication, and the sacrifices he made for the safety of our city.
Please hold Lt. Sidorenko’s family in your thoughts and prayers and honor his legacy by continuing to uphold the values he lived by.”

Sidorenko’s Celebration of Life will take place in the IAFF Local 1071 Union Hall on Hudson Avenue on December 1, 2024, at 1 p.m. Instead of sending flowers, people are urged to donate to the Reyes Memorial Scholarship Fund.