ASCENSION PARISH - A fire department coordinator who's served a number of roles in Ascension Parish over the past 50 years passed away Wednesday from the coronavirus.

Ascension Parish Fire Chief James Leblanc confirmed Gene Witek passed away Wednesday evening from complications related to the virus. Those close to Witek say he had been in the hospital with symptoms for about a week.

Witek's family and Leblance had reached out to the community and asked them to to pray for him earlier this week.

Witek had held multiple jobs during his time in Ascension Parish, including fire chief, president of the Louisiana Fire Chief’s Association, and most recently fire coordinator at Ascension Parish Fire District #1.