After years of searching for answers about his ailments, a lifelong Scarborough resident and former paramedic died Monday.

Stephen Pallotta, 36, was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gerhig’s disease, in 2005. Since then, he and his family traveled from state to state, trying to find what they thought could be a more accurate diagnosis. Doctors attributed his symptoms – muscle weakness, fever and fatigue – to a range of diseases, including Lyme disease, Q fever and lead poisoning.

Through visits and fundraisers, local firefighters and members of the Scarborough community rallied around Pallotta and his family – including wife, Diane, and children, Sarah and Jacob – to help them both care for Pallotta and pay for his medical bills.

In an interview with The Current in 2007, Pallotta described himself as an independent person who “never had to rely on anyone else.”

Regardless of his determination to do as much as he could on his own, he was grateful for what he said was an overwhelming amount of support from the community.

“I don’t know if I have enough time to thank that many people,” he said.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. A con-celebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 10 a.m., at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, Scarborough.

According to Scarborough Fire Chief Mike Thurlow, honor guards from both the Portland and Scarborough fire departments, where Pallotta worked for many years, will take part in the funeral.

“I could speak for hours” about Pallotta, Thurlow said. “He was quite an individual.”