BRIDGEPORT — Regina Braziel said some of her fondest memories of growing up in Bridgeport are of hanging out with her cousin, Terrence Cramer, who was shot and killed last month in a Stratford home.
Less than a year apart in age — she’s turning 42 and Cramer was 41 at the time of his death — the two shared a competitive edge that bonded them for their entire lives, Braziel said.
“If I challenged him right now, we would be running down the middle of the street right now — and race and laugh about whoever won,” she said.
Braziel was among the hundreds who attended the funeral service for her cousin Saturday morning at Breakthrough Church on Union Avenue.
Bridgeport police blocked off the street to traffic while volunteers managed the parking for those in attendance. There was a deafening silence along the street as friends and family hugged and comforted one another.
Raymond Thomas, who works at Breakthrough Church and helped with parking, said he was taken aback by how communities across the state came to pay tribute to Cramer.
“One thing I can honestly say is that Connecticut definitely did show out for him,” Thomas said. “It was a very powerful showing, to see … other municipalities come out and show their support for this tragic loss. I pray he will rest in peace and that his family has some peace.”
Dozens of firefighters lined up outside the church before the service began. After his immediate family arrived, the servicemen and women saluted them as they entered the building.
Bridgeport resident Arlene Mercer said she was running errands when she realized the funeral was happening. She said she immediately stopped what she was doing to come by and pay her respects.
“I’ve never seen so many firemen in my whole life,” she said. “It’s a sad occasion, and it’s so beautiful to see them all come together as brotherly love.”
Mercer said she had seen Cramer around several times and said that he had a smile on his face.
“He left a lot of love in this community, the nice gentleman he was,” she said.
She also shared her concern for Cramer’s two sons and said it’s important for the community to support his family.
“We should show love and not hate, and that violence is not the answer. We have to love one another, and I’m praying that his family will get justice,” she said. “His sons have to grow up without a father, although I know the firemen will continue to be in (their lives).”
After briefly stepping outside while overcome with emotions, Braziel reflected on her time with her cousin while trying to make sense of his sudden death.
“The most I can say about him is he was very, very much loved, and a very loving, caring, considerate person,” she said.
Braziel said Cramer was “giving, strong, determined” and was adored by his family and his community.
“He wouldn’t know that you’re having a down day, but his aura, the way he is, just as a person, you could not help but feel the uplifting,” she said. “He will be greatly missed.”
Cramer’s obituary said he served as a firefighter for 9.5 years with the Bridgeport Fire Department and worked at the station on Central Avenue at Engine 6.
Former colleague David Purcell, who retired from the department last June, said Cramer was a “model employee.”
“He would have had a very, very, very productive, strong career,” Purcell said. “Probably could have stayed at that firehouse his whole career, if he wanted to.”
Purcell reflected on Cramer’s demeanor and professionalism during the difficult situations in their work as firefighters.
“He had a lot of acceptance that the job could present us with a whole different variety of insanity. But one of his characteristics that make him above average, in my eyes, was never complaining about anything,” Purcell said.