Mass. fisherman dies on Grand Lake Stream

GRAND LAKE STREAM – Authorities say a 62-year-old retired firefighter from Quincy, Mass., died Monday night while fishing on Grand Lake Stream.

State Game Warden Brad Richard said Chester Aniolowski and a friend were fishing on the water’s edge near the Grand Lake Stream Fish Hatchery when Aniolowski fell into the deep water.

Aniolowski’s fishing buddy, Joe Verlicco, also a retired firefighter from Quincy, said he jumped into the water and tried to keep Aniolowski’s head above water, according to officials.

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

Officials said it was not known whether Aniolowski died because of a medical issue or by accidental drowning and that the Maine Medical Examiner’s Office would seek to determine the cause of death.

Aniolowski and Verlicco had traveled to the same spot near the Grand Lake Stream Fish Hatchery to fish every year since 1982, Richard said.

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

The incident remains under investigation, officials said.