GRAND LAKE STREAM – A retired firefighter from Quincy, Mass., died Monday night while fishing at his favorite fishing spot on Grand Lake Stream.

Chester Aniolowski, 62, and a fishing buddy, Joe Verlicco, also a retired firefighter from Quincy, were fishing on the water’s edge near the Grand Lake Stream Fish Hatchery when Aniolowski fell into deep water, began staggering and gasping for air, and floated across the stream, according to Warden Brad Richard.

Verlicco told Richard he jumped into the water, crossed the stream and tried to keep Aniolowski’s head above water until rescue personnel could arrive.

The Maine Warden Service was notified of the mishap at approximately 7 p.m. Monday.

It wasn’t known if Aniolowski died because of a medical issue or by accidental drowning. The Maine Medical Examiner’s Office will review his body to determine a cause of death.

Aniolowski and Verlicco traveled to that exact location near the Grand Lake Stream Fish Hatchery to fish every year since 1982, Warden Richard said.

“They came every last week of May,” he said. “It was one of their favorite places to fish.”

Aniolowski’s family has been notified.

The incident remains under investigation.


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