Update: Services set for 77-year-old Cutchogue man who died during blizzard

A Cutchogue man died Saturday morning after falling into a swimming pool while shoveling snow, according to Southold Town police.

The victim was identified as 77-year-old Robert Doroski, according to a police report.

Police were called to the house at about 8:30 a.m. as Mr. Doroski’s wife reported that her husband was possibly drowning in the pool. She told police he accidentally slipped while shoveling the deck around the pool, fell into the deep end and couldn’t get himself out, according to a report.

Responding officers pulled Mr. Doroski from the pool, who was face down and partially submerged, and began to perform CPR, police said. Members of the Cutchogue Fire Department responded as well and transported him to Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport where he was later pronounced dead.

A police report said six police officers and police Chief Martin Flatley all responded to the Deerfoot Path home in addition to the fire department volunteers.

Mr. Doroski was a 59-year member of the Cutchogue Fire Department and an ex-commissioner, according to fire chief Amos Meringer.

“He was still an active member of fire police,” he said.

Mr. Meringer said the fire department had a crew on standby at the department’s headquarters, as is standard during storms to cut down on response time, and were able to respond immediately.

Funeral services for Mr. Doroski are being handled by DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the Mattituck funeral home where firematic services will be held at 7 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue.

In lieu of lowers, donations can be made to the Cutchogue Fire Department.

The blizzard that hit the area starting Friday night brought heavy snow to the area with as much as two feet recorded in Orient.

Shoveling can be particularly dangerous at times during snowstorms and nationwide is responsible for about 11,500 injuries — about 100 of which are fatal, according to data analyzed in a 2019 Washington Post story. The NWS said while the snow falling during this storm is a drier snow, it’s still important to follow proper shoveling technique and follow tips such as to drink water, wear warm boots and breathable clothes and to push snow rather than lift.