Victim of plant explosion remembered

Old Saybrook, Conn. (WTNH) - Our hearts at News Channel 8 go out to the families of all the victims of the Kleen Energy power plant explosion. The blast hit our news family close to home; one of the victims, Raymond Dobratz of Old Saybrook, is the father of our long-time sports producer. Today, Erik Dobratz shared his love for his father and his incredible loss with News Channel 8's Tina Detelj.

He was a man described as having passion for fishing, his family and his work.

"He loved it. I mean, he died doing what he loved," said Erik.

The 58-year-old, Old Saybrook man was working on the new Kleen Energy Systems plant in Middletown Sunday, as a pipe fitter, when it exploded.

"Yeah it's tough," Erik said. "I have two kids -- two and eight months [old]. They're not gonna know him."

Erik said his parents' "plans" for enjoying retirement together have been shattered. "My dad and my mom had a lot of plans," he said.

Erik, the oldest of three sons, is a long-time sports producer at News Channel 8.

"It's kind of a double-edged sword," he said. "You never want to be talking about your dad in the past tense but, at the same time, I knew he was great. I don't need people to tell me that. But, they are, so it's nice to hear it. And, I know wherever he is, he's happy. So many people have come out [to tell me that]."

When Ray, and his wife Paula, first moved to Old Saybrook they immediately became involved. He ended up serving on the Parks and Rec Commission and the Police Commission.

"His contributions to our community were great and this terrible loss will be felt by many who had the privilege of knowing, and working with, him," said Old Saybrook Police Chief Michael Spera.

Ray also coached lots of kids; he coached baseball, basketball, and football and even helped start a youth football league back in the 80's.

"I got an email, just a little while ago, from someone I hadn't talked to since I was 15-years-old just saying 'your dad coached me and just helped us navigate life,'" Erik said.

One thing Erik is thankful for is that his brother Dave, who had also worked on the plant up until a couple of weeks ago, was not on the job Sunday.

Among the many Raymond leaves behind are his wife Paula of 38-years, three sons and five grand kids.

"He and Paula both would do anything that you needed done. The boys have all been involved with parks and recreation and there couldn't be a better guy than Ray who loved kids and loved sports and supported recreation," said Parks and Recreation Director Vicki Duffy.

The following is the list of five individuals who were killed by Sunday's Kleen Energy Plant explosion:

Peter Chepulis of Thomaston, CT
Ronald J. Crabb of Colchester, CT
Raymond Dobratz of Old Saybrook, CT
Roy Rushton of Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Chris Walters of Florissant, MO.

The cause of death of each of these individuals in undetermined at this time, pending results from the Medical Examiner's Office.

In lieu of the Kleen plant explosion, a fund, alongside a few facebook pages, have been set up; click here for more information .

Raymond Dobratz's wake will be held at Swan's Funeral Home, in Old Saybrook, Friday night between 5 and 9. And, the funeral will be at the Congregational Church of Old Saybrook Saturday morning at 10 a.m.