Wilton EMS mourns loss of paramedic

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate

Paramedic Wesley Green who died on Sunday was beloved at Wilton EMS.

Paramedic Wesley Green poses in a field with his family, his wife Heather and two children Viviane and Derrick. He died on Sunday.

WILTON — The Saratoga County emergency medical community has lost another among its ranks.

Wilton EMS Paramedic Wesley Carl Green, 41, died on Sunday, after suffering from an adverse reaction to medication that followed a massive stroke, friend and fellow paramedic Matthew Gionet said.His death follows that of 21-year-old Ryan Gagliardi, a member of the Malta-Stillwater Emergency Medical Services team, who died Sept. 27.

Gionet, who has worked as a paramedic at both stations, said it's been very difficult for the EMS community to lose two in a short period of time.

"We have such a small work environment," said Gionet who works at Wilton and Waterford. "Everyone knows everyone, so losing someone in the industry ... it's going to take us some time. It's heartbreaking."Both men were beloved by colleagues in the small community of EMTs and paramedics, prompting the Malta-Stillwater EMS team to post a note on its Facebook page offering condolences.

"Our hearts are with Wilton EMS, and the friends and family of Paramedic Wes Green as they recover from such a tremendous loss," the post reads.

Personally, Gionet said, it's been especially upsetting to lose Green who had a wife, two children and was his preceptor trainer.

"I knew him for seven years. He made me into the paramedic I am today. He was proactive, a visual teacher who never let me breeze through."

Gionet said Green was the fun one at the station — belting out songs and bringing in food that he wanted his co-workers to try. When he was quitting smoking, he set up an ax throwing stand behind the station, to distract him from the habit. The target remains there today.

"He was a big goofball, a great guy and a family man," Gionet said. "His family always came first."

Gionet said Green was in the hospital for two months, intubated. Everyone expected him to recover. But a spike in his temperature to 108 degrees was deadly.

Green, his obituary notes, grew up in Juneau, Alaska, and Olympia, Wash., where he excelled in martial arts, earning a black belt in karate.After high school, he worked as a mechanic and for a transport medical service. He moved to New York in 2012. He studied paramedicine at Hudson Valley Community College and then joined Wilton EMS where he earned awards and commendations for excellence.In addition to being a family man, a singer and cook, Green treasured traveling, restoring antiques, renovating his home and gardening. He often made everyone laugh with his musical parodies that would suit the moment, his obituary reads.

Gionet said the loss is particular difficult for his wife, Heather, as he died around Halloween, Green's favorite holiday that he enjoyed celebrating with his children. But mostly, Gionet said, Green was a simple guy everyone loved.

"He'd be laughing at us for crying," Gionet said. Still he added, "It's been rough."

Green's life will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Saturday at Maple Avenue Fire Department at 613 Maple Ave. in Saratoga Springs.