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Cattaraugus County resident Zach Golley, 24, was gravely injured when his truck was struck by a train in the village of Ellicottville on Thursday, Feb. 27, according to fire officials.
Golley, a dedicated assistant fire chief for the Ellicottville Volunteer Fire Department, was found trapped inside his vehicle when his own fire crew arrived on scene, the agency said. They worked tirelessly to free their brother in service and rushed him to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, March 1.
The young public servant leaves behind a fiancé and newborn daughter, “whom he cherished with all his heart,” Gavin Krist wrote on a GoFundMe to help the young family with ongoing expenses.
“Zach, an incredible individual, dedicated his life to volunteering as a fire chief, always prioritizing the well-being of others and never hesitating to lend a helping hand during their time of need,” Krist said.
With a reputation for service to others, it comes as no surprise that even in death Golley is helping others live–he was an organ donor, giving his heart, liver, and kidneys to help save lives, his parents, John and Debbie, shared in a statement through the Ellicottville Fire Department.
A 2018 graduate of Ellicottville Central School, Golley dedicated himself to hard work and service, juggling multiple jobs while building a beautiful life with his fiancée, Emily, and their infant daughter, who was born in April 2024, his obituary said.
He worked for the Village of Ellicottville’s Department of Public Works, where he became a Grade 1 Sewer Operator, and even started his own business, “Zach of All Trades,” taking on everything from landscaping and plowing to heavy equipment operation.
But his true passion was firefighting. Golley had been involved in the fire service since he was a teenager, first as a junior firefighter, and most recently as First Assistant Fire Chief of Ellicottville Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a certified EMT and in charge of ambulance maintenance for both Ellicottville and Great Valley Volunteer Fire Departments.
“He was an amazing dad, fiancé, nephew, cousin brother and friend to all,” his parents said in a statement. “Family was so important to him, so hug your family.”
Funeral services for Golley are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, March 7, at the Ellicottville Town Center.
The fundraiser for his fiancé and daughter had raised over $64,000 as of Thursday, March 6. Those interested in donating may do so via GoFundMe.
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