Anthony "Tony" Duke-Rosati, a West Valley City firefighter known for his easy laugh and the way he lit up any room, died on June 2. He leaves behind his wife, Jazmynn Pok, and their children, including their young son Kiri, who is in a life-or-death fight with a rare and rapidly progressive brain disease. Duke-Rosati's death has layered fresh heartbreak onto a family already doing everything they can to save Kiri.
Family And Colleagues Share Tributes
The family shared the news of Duke-Rosati's passing through the Hope for Kiri community on Instagram, writing that "his dad brought joy, laughter and humor to everyone he met and every room he entered." Fellow firefighters with IAFF Local 2970 posted an emotional tribute, calling him a brother who "led by example" and using his loss to highlight the quiet struggles many first responders face. As reported by KUTV, the family also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and support in the days following his death.
Son's Diagnosis Turned Neighbors Into Donor Hunters
Kiri, Duke-Rosati's middle child, was diagnosed last summer with cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy, or CALD, a rare genetic disorder that rapidly destroys the brain's myelin and is usually fatal without intervention. Doctors told the family that a bone marrow transplant could halt the disease if a suitable match is found within a critical treatment window. The diagnosis turned friends, neighbors and strangers into determined donor hunters.
Deseret News reported that the family's outreach and public drives have led to thousands of people registering as potential donors, with roughly 13,000 swab kits distributed by late December 2025 as part of the wider search. As the family has repeatedly been told, and as Deseret News noted, time remains their biggest hurdle.
Community Rallies With Drives And Benefits
Through it all, the family's Hope for Kiri campaign has kept pushing forward, coordinating swab drives, registry sign-ups and fundraisers to help cover medical costs and logistics while they wait for a possible donor match. Signature Cares Foundation hosts the official fundraising page, and local events, including a Country for Kiri benefit held at Eleven SLC, have been organized to raise both awareness and money for testing and treatment. For current details on how to join the registry or support the family, see the Hope for Kiri website and the Country for Kiri event page.
Grief, Gratitude And A Search That Continues
Colleagues say Duke-Rosati's death has deepened the community's grief while also renewing a sense of urgency around the donor search for Kiri. In their tribute, IAFF Local 2970 reminded the public that "behind the gear, the calls, and the tough exterior, we're still human." There was no immediate update on Kiri's condition when the family announced his father's passing, as reported by KUTV. Even in the middle of mourning and medical uncertainty, the family has said it is deeply grateful for the continued support surrounding them.
