HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Family and friends are preparing to say their final goodbyes to a retired Hillsborough County Fire Captain who died from a sudden heart attack he suffered just after Christmas.

Sorting through old family photos while carrying a broken heart, Kimberley Centofante is holding on to the memories of her late husband, Frank.

"He was a little guy, but he had a huge heart," Centofante said.

Frank Centofante was a 33-year veteran of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. His wife said he had a special connection with every call.

"He loved life," Kimberley explained. "Life was so precious to him because of what he did for so many years and what he has seen."

Centofante retired a few years ago. While the pain of his sudden death is still strong, Centofante finds peace in knowing her husband touched so many lives.

"I feel like he earned his way into heaven," she said. "He loved his job, he loved his kids, he loved the guys he worked with. Even after he retired, he was a firefighter at the end of the day. He would've helped anybody."

Frank leaves behind four children. His wife wants to make sure his legacy lives on and memory is never forgotten.

The family has started raising money to help with mounting medical bills. To learn more or to make a donation, visit https://www.gofundme.com/the-centofante-family-fund.