Maintenance worker dies after suffering apparent heart attack in Trabant

Updated April 5 to include obituary information.

A university maintenance worker, 61, died Wednesday after suffering an apparent heart attack while working in the Trabant University Center, according to university police.

James W. Kwiatkowski, a senior refrigeration technician in the university's HVAC department, was working shortly before noon when he collapsed, Chief Patrick Ogden said. Passersby called 911, and paramedics and university police officers performed CPR. Kwiatkowski was taken to Christiana Hospital, where he later died.

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Kwiatkowski was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed photography, according to his obituary.

"The University of Delaware community is saddened by the sudden death on Wednesday of James W. Kwiatkowski, a certified HVAC technician in Facilities, who had served at the University since 1987," university spokesman John Brennan said. "Our condolences go out to his family and friends and to his colleagues here on the campus."

Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 5 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on April 6 at Holy Family R.C. Church, East Chestnut Hill and Gender Roads. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery at 6001 Kirkwood Highway.

In lieu of flowers, his family is asking for contributions to be made to the Tri-State Bird Rescue or to a charity of the donor's choice.