South Berwick, ME Firefighter, Dad of 4, Dies Suddenly

Members of the South Berwick Fire Department are mourning the sudden death of Firefighter Matt Ballou.

Ballou, 32, died at his home on Wednesday.

Ballou joined the department in 2017 after previously working with the Alfred and Lincolnville, Maine departments and Knox County Communications. He also worked as Biddeford Communications Center Dispatcher.

Ballou was married with four children, according to a GoFundMe page created to help with funeral expenses.

"'Matty' was a hard worker, always willing to pitch in and help no matter what needed to be done. We will remember Matt as always smiling, with a quick, witty sense of humor that could lighten any mood," department officials said on their Facebook page.

Ballou's former colleagues also expressed their sadness at his death.

"We are heartbroken. Many of us got to 'work' with him, and it was a pleasure. Matt was one of those guys that got along with everyone, and that smile of his was always there. He made a difference. You will be missed Matt," Lincolnville Fire Department officials wrote.

"We will miss Firefighter Ballou at the station and on the radio and are forever grateful for his service at our organization. Words can’t even describe this loss. On behalf of Alfred Fire Rescue we express our sincerest condolences to the Ballou family his wife and four children," Alfred Fire & Rescue officials wrote.

Ballou had many nicknames including Matty, Matty Boo, Boo Boo Ballou or just plain Boo Boo, according to the GoFundMe page.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH