Gustav J Novak Funeral Home

Pitre, who was sworn in as the city's fire chief in April 2014, died suddenly Saturday evening, the mayor's office said. He was 44 and lived in the city with his wife and three children. Members of the city fire department and emergency service personnel will hold a procession and ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. It will begin at fire headquarters at 375 New Brunswick Ave. and end at the Gustav J. Novak Funeral Home at 419 Barclay St.Memorial services will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for members of the city's fire and emergency services only, the mayor's office said Tuesday. A visiting ceremony for the general public will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m., the city said. Pitre started his career with the Perth Amboy First Aid Squad and the Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the Emergency Service Bureau with the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management.After his hire in 1993 as a 911 tele-communicator, Pitre was appointed to the Career Division in 2000. He was then promoted to lieutenant in December 2007 and became a captain in June 2010, according to a biography provided by the city. He was then sworn in as a battalion chief in October 2011.He became the city's fire chief in April 2014 after serving as acting fire chief the year before. He has been a member of the fire department for about 23 years.Pitre's death is under investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, authorities said. Officials have declined to provide further information.Luke Nozicka may be reached at lnozicka@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @lukenozicka. Find NJ.com on Facebook and Twitter. ... (NJ.com)

Pitre apparently died in his home on the evening of Saturday, June 17, reportedly after committing suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.After speaking with police and firefighters, Councilman Fernando Gonzalez told NJ.com's Spencer Kent that Pitre took his own life.The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office noted, “the circumstances surrounding the death of Fire Chief Pitre is not considered suspicious.”Perth Amboy mourned the passing of Chief on Wednesday, June 21. The Perth Amboy Fire Department and Emergency Services held Procession and Ceremony.Funeral Services and general public visitation services were held after the Procession at the Gustav J. Novak Funeral Home on Wednesday.“We ask that you keep Abraham Pitre’s love ones and co-workers in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn this devastating loss,” said Mayor Wilda Diaz in a statement.In memory of Pitre, the PAFD headquarters displayed Pitre’s turnout gear and car next to an American Flag flying at half-staff."Chief Abraham Pitre truly knew the definition of brotherhood in the fire department and truly knew what it was like to be a positive role model in the community," Acting Perth Amboy Fire Chief Edward Mullen said, according to the Home News Tribune.Perth Amboy Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano told reporter Suzanne Russell that Pitre was a "community firefighter" who touched many lives.Abraham Pitre serviced the Perth Amboy Fire Department for over 24 years. He was sworn in as New Jersey’s first Hispanic Fire Chief in April of 2014.The day Pitre was sworn in as Fire Chief, Wilda Diaz justified why Pitre was the man for the job. "I have full confidence in you and I am proud of all of our firefighters. You are the first Latino career Fire Chief in New Jersey, and you'll make a difference in the lives of many people," said Diaz, according to the Amboy Guardian.Prior to his career as acting Fire Chief, Pitre was a member of the Perth Amboy First Aid Squad and the Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a... (New Brunswick Today)