Remembering Those Who Have Passed
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| Stephen J. Fletcher |
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Stephen J. Fletcher
(1949 - 2021)
We are deeply saddened to report the passing of former Co. 5 member Stephen "Steve" J. Fletcher, 72, on September 13, 2021 at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Born in New Haven on June 7, 1949, Steve was a son of the late Frederick W. Fletcher and Florence (McDermott) Fletcher and brother of the late Fred and Dennis Fletcher. He was a US Army Veteran of Desert Storm. He was a security guard for many years and was lastly employed at Total Communications as a marketing manager.
Steve was very active in Co. 5 activities during the 1970s, especially when the company was building the Raymond K. Spencer Annex to the fire station during 1974-75. His father, HFD Firefighter Fred Fletcher Sr. (1920-1992), was a longtime career department member who, along with Steve's older brother Fred Jr., was also an active member of the fire company.
The members of the Mt. Carmel Volunteer Fire Co. extend their sincere condolences to Steve's family during this sad time. CLICK HERE to view Steve's complete obituary on the Beecher and Bennett Funeral Home website.
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Posted 9/17/2021
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| Anders Pedersen - 1964 |
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Anders Pedersen
(1940 - 2021)
We have been notified and regret to report that former Co. 5 member Anders Pedersen, 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Alfred, Maine on July 15th with his loving wife of 46 years, Rosemary Pedersen (Souza) at his side.
Anders joined the Mt. Carmel Volunteer Fire Co. on December 11, 1956 and was an active member in company affairs for about a dozen years thereafter.
Anders was a 60 year resident of Hamden, CT and was the son of Find C.C. Pedersen and Dorothy Pedersen. Anders graduated from Hamden High School and served honorably in the United States Navy. He was a longtime employee of the Gerrity Lumber Company. Anders' older brother, Find (pr. "Finn") Pedersen was company captain for several years in the 1950s and 60s.
In addition to his service as a volunteer fireman with the Mount Carmel Volunteer Fire Company in his younger years, Andres was also a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He was an avid fisherman, camper and life long amateur radio operator, W1JDY.
In his later years, he loved spending time with his two grandchildren whenever he could. Anders was pre-deceased by his youngest son Anders A. Pedersen Jr. of East Haven and his brother, Find C.C. Pedersen Jr. of Delaware. Anders is survived by his oldest son, Carl C. Pedersen, his wife Donna and their two children Cristian and Cameron of Cheshire; a sister Eugenia Moody and her husband Charles of Conway, South Carolina and several nieces and nephews in Connecticut, South Carolina, Texas and Nevada. A private celebration of his life will be held in the future.
Please keep Anders' family in your thoughts and prayers.
Posted 8/3/2021
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| Bob Behler |
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Former Captain Robert Behler
We regret to report the sudden passing of former member and Past Captain Robert Jon Behler, 54, at his Hamden home on February 20, 2021. Bob was very active in Co. 5 activities in the 1990s and early 2000s. In addition to his fire department activities with Co. 5, Bob was also a member of the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department.
Bob was an auto parts sales technician and had worked for Hamden Auto Parts, CT Warehouse, and NAPA Auto Parts. He was a member and Past Master of Day Spring Lodge #30 AF & AM and Temple Lodge #16 AF & AM, and he was a member and Past Patron of Alice Chapter #76 O.E.S.
Father of Roland Texeira, David (Kyrstyna) Texeira, and Jon Behler. Grandfather of David Paul Texeira, Jr. and Riley Elizabeth Texeira. Brother of Deborah (Nicholas) Sidorick, Susan Behler Pelletier and Cynthia (Joseph) Cavallaro. Son-in-law of Cynthia Turner. Brother-in-law of Paul (Mary) Turner and Tracy (Amy Marsh) Turner. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Friends may visit with his family on Friday, March 5 at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden from 5-8 p.m. Fraternal services by Day Spring Lodge and Alice Chapter will begin at 7:15.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday morning, March 6 at 10 a.m. in Grace & St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seating at the church will be limited. If you still wish to attend, the service will be Live Streamed via Zoom. Please use Meeting ID 414 327 0042 and Passcode 061061 to view.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be sent to the Eastern Star Charity Foundation, 37 Paugassett Rd., Derby, CT 06418 or the Masonic Charity Foundation, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492. For information or to send a condolence, please see his obituary at: www.beecherandbennett.com.
Please keep Bob's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Revised 3/3/2021
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| John Blasius - New Haven Fire School - May 1973 |
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John E. Blasius
(Dec. 27, 1950 - July 11, 2020)
We are deeply saddened to report the passing on Saturday, July 11, 2020, of longtime Co. 5 member John E. Blasius, 69, who served as an active member for many years.
John joined the company on May 27, 1969 and proved to be an excellent firefighter. He served on the committee to rebuild the basement beginning in the summer of 1971, when the new basement concrete floor was poured. Starting in 1972 be served as a company line officer for several years. That autumn, John was part of a small committee that rebuilt the basement meeting rooom. He also was instrumental in increasing company membership during the recruitment drives for new members in the 1970s. He was active in all company activites, served on numerous committees, and ran several paper drives.
A memorial service for John will be held at a later date and arrangements will be posted here when they are known.
CLICK HERE for John's obituary.
Posted 7/13/2020 - 1915 hrs
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| Fred Raban |
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1950s-60s Member Fred Raban (1941-2020)
We regret to report the passing on April 20, 2020 of former member Frederick Marsh Raban (79), in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Fred resided at 34 Willow Street when he joined the company on December 10, 1957.
Fred ran his own graphic design business for 13 years before going on active duty with the United States Army, where he was stationed in NYC, DC, Bosnia and Germany. He retired in January of 2001 with the rank of Master Sergeant.
He is survived by his wife Susan, daughters Kristin and Meredith, and their families. CLICK HERE for the complete obituary for Fred Raban. Fred's cousin, Bob Slater, served as a career member of the department from the 1960s to the 1980s.
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| Firefighter Joe Rahl - 1986 |
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Firefighter Joseph Rahl
(1924 - 2019)
We have been notified and are deeply saddened to report the passing yesterday, December 23, 2019, of retired Firefighter Joseph Rahl, 95, who served on the department for 33 years. He was the department's oldest retiree.
Joe began his fire service career on March 12, 1942 as a volunteer firefighter with the Mt. Carmel Fire Volunteer Fire Co. He served as the company's captain from 1947-48, and again from 1954 to 1956, when he was appointed to the career department. He retired in November 1989.
Calling hours are Friday, December 27th, from 5-7 p.m. at Beecher and Bennett Funeral Parlor, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. As always, department retirees with dress blues are welcome to participate in standing Honor Guard. Services will be held Saturday morning at 11 at Beecher and Bennett, with interment to follow at Centerville Cemetery. Once it is published, a complete obituary will be linked here.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Rahl family at this sad time.
Posted 12/24/2019 - 1345 hrs.
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Longtime Co. 5 Member Tim Steele Passes Away November 27th
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George "Tim" Steele, longtime member of Co. 5, passed away at Evergreen Healthcare in Stafford Springs on Tuesday, November 27th, 2018 with his daughter by his side after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born March 5, 1948 in Yonkers, NY, he grew up in Hamden.
Tin was the son of the late George Donald Steele, also a longtime member and captain of Co. 5 (Navy veteran) and Martha Jane (Linn) Steele, (Marine veteran), who both served during WWII.
Tim joined the fire company on April 28, 1964 and was active in its affairs until moving to Enfield in 1980. He was among the company line officers at the time of the dedication of what is now the Raymond K. Spencer Annex in September 1975. Tim was in the Vocational Agriculture program at, and was a graduate of, Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford. He graduated from UConn in 1969, having earned a degree in Agriculture.
Memorial contributions in Tim's name can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 A casual celebration of his life will be held in the company of good friends, neighbors and family at his home. Contact goodduckfarm@gmail.com for information.
Burial will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in the memorial garden on a date to be determined. To leave online condolences, please visit www.Leetestevens.com.
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| Merton William McAvoy Jr. |
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Merton William "Bill" McAvoy Jr.
(1936 - 2018)
We regret to report the passing on April 28th of Merton William "Bill" McAvoy Jr., who joined the company on June 22, 1954 and served for many years. Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his sister Marie Pierson, his daughter Mary Anne McAvoy McKerrow (spouse John), daughter Michele McAvoy-Rubin (spouse Jamie), daughters Marsha McAvoy and Melanie McAvoy, son Michael McAvoy (spouse Vlad), and grandchildren, Dylan, Julian, Amber, and Meliyah. Bill was predeceased by his baby sister Gertrude Ann and infant daughter Maureen.
Bill father, Merton McAvoy Sr., served as secretary of the fire company for several years in the 1950s and 60s. Our thoughts and prayers are with the McAvoy family at this sad time.
Posted 5/3/2018
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| Woodruff "Woody" Smith Jr. |
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Woodruff "Woody" Smith Jr.
(1926 - 2018)
We regret to report the passing on April 26th in Kingston, Rhode Island, of longtime Mt. Carmel Volunteer Fire Co. member Woodruff "Woody" Smith, who served as an active volunteer firefighter in the 1970s. Woody's son, Dean Smith, had joined the company first, in 1968. Woody joined a year or two later and served as a Trustee for several years. He also was a member of the committee organized to handle the planning and construction of the 1975 building annex.
A memorial service for Woody will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 30th at the First Congregational Church, 23 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Please keep Dean and his family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
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| Firefighter Edward C. Doiron (1938 - 2017) |
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Firefighter Edward C. Doiron
(1938 - 2017)
We are deeply saddened to report the passing on October 4th of Co. 5 Lifetime member and retired Hamden Firefighter Edward C. Doiron, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was 78.
Ed joined the Mount Carmel Volunteer Fire Co. in June 1961. He was appointed to the paid department in November 1964, but never forgot his volunteer roots. His guidance and mentoring of the newer members were instrumental in keeping the company active during some lean times in the early 1970s, and it blossomed once again into a thriving and very active company during that decade.
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Ed served as the company's secretary from 1964-70 and again in the mid-1970s. The company elected him to Life membership in August 2010. He served a three-year term as a Trustee, and was a member of the company's Centennial Celebration Committee (2010-11). At the June meeting last year, the company honored Ed on the 55th anniversary of his application to membership.
Ed was an avid photographer, who chronicled many Hamden Fire Department fires and events over the years.
In addition to his earlier work with Co. 5, Ed was a charter member of the Hamden Professional Firefighters Association, Local 2687, I.A.F.F. and served as its first treasurer from 1979 until his retirement 1993. He also was a founding member of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association, Inc. in 2009.
Ed's son, Edward Doiron, Jr., was an active member of the company in the 1980s and 1990s. He is presently chief of the Gainesville [Missouri] Fire Department.
Services took place at Beecher and Bennett on Friday, October 13th at 10 a.m.
Please keep Ed's family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Posted 10/5/17
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We regret to report the September 26th passing of Lt. Col. Fred W. Fletcher Jr., USAF (Ret.), former member of the Mt. Carmel Volunteer Fire Co. and son of the late Hamden Fire Department retiree, Firefighter Fred W. Fletcher Sr., who also was a member of Co. 5. Lt. Col. Fletcher (71), a decorated Vietnam War veteran, had resided in Georgia with his wife of 49 years, Carol Niles Fletcher.
Posted 9/29/17
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| Chief John Tramontano |
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Chief John Tramontano
(1937 - 2015)
September 9 - It is with deep regret that we announce the sudden passing of retired Hamden Fire Chief John R. Tramontano last Friday, September 4th, at his home in Gilford, New Hampshire.
Career and volunteer Hamden fire personnel, all other fire service colleagues and friends of Chief Tramontano's are invited to a Memorial Service, conducted by members of the Hamden Fire Department in cooperation with the Tramontano family, to be held at Hamden's Memorial Town Hall, Whitney and Dixwell Avenues, on the morning of Saturday, September 19th from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
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| 1955 - Ben Feinn (left) on 2-1/2" nozzle |
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Benjamin Feinn
(1938 - 2014)
It is with deep regret that we announce the sudden death of longtime Co. 5 member and alumnus Benjamin Feinn on Monday, July 14th, in Cheshire, where he had resided for over fifty years.
Ben was elected to membership in Co. 5 on August 24, 1954, and was an active firefighting member for many years thereafter, serving in the positions of First Lieutenant and Trustee. Following his service as a Captain in the United States Army, Ben resumed his active membership in the fire company.
Ben is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara, and their children; Marjorie and her husband Eric Seggerman of Cheshire, Fred of Cheshire, Greg of Marco Island, Florida, his three grandchildren; Liana, Rachel, and Katie.
Ben is also survived by his brother Robert Feinn of Guilford, who also served for many years as an active member of Co. 5.
Funeral services were held at Temple Beth David, 3 Main St., Cheshire on Thursday morning, July 17th, with Interment Services following at the Temple Beth David section of Hillside Cemetery, Wallingford Rd., Cheshire. Memorial contributions may be sent to Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Feinn family.
(Some of the information posted above was gleaned from the July 16, 2014 edition of The New Haven Register)
Posted 7/16/14
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Firefighter Joseph Yoga
(1942 - 2014)
May 27, 2014 - We deeply regret to announce the passing of Hamden Fire Department retiree and former Co. 5 member Joe Yoga last Sunday morning, May 25th, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford.
Funeral Mass was held on Friday morning, May 30th, at St. Thomas Becket Church in Cheshire.
Joe started his fire service career in October 1959 as a member of the Mt. Carmel Volunteer Fire Co. No. 5, and was appointed to the career department in 1965. While attempting the rescue of a young woman from an apartment fire above the Merryfield Veterinary Hospital on Shepard Avenue, Joe suffered a severe back injury that forced his retirement from the department in 1980.
Following his retirement, Joe served as a dispatcher for the Cheshire Police Department for twenty-two years. Joe was an active member of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association and attended all of the 2011 festivities commemorating the 100th anniversary of Co. 5..
Our thoughts and prayers are with Joe's wife, Lillian, and the rest of the Yoga family.
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Co. 5 and HFD Career Alumnus Howard Hurlburt, Jr. Passes Away in Arkansas
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| Lt. Howard Hurlburt, Jr. |
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Lieutenant Howard Hurlburt, Jr.
(1948 - 2013)
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of retired Hamden Fire Department Lieutenant/Paramedic Howard "Howie" Hurlburt, Jr. on Wednesday, November 20th in Arkansas, where he resided for the last several years.
Howie's fire service career began when he joined the Mt. Carmel Volunteer Fire Co. in 1965. Howie became a member of the career department in 1970 and was one of Hamden's first EMTs the following year. In 1976, Howie was among the first eight Hamden paramedics to be certified. Following a brief stint as the Department's first Mechanic in 1984, Howie was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to Platoons 3 and 4 until his retirement in 1993
Howie was from a family with deep roots in Hamden public service. His brother, Clark, a 30-year veteran of the Department, is a retired Deputy Chief. Howie's father, the late Howard Hurlburt, Sr., served on the Hamden Fire Department from 1948 until his retirement in 1981, and later served on the Hamden Legislative Council. His mother, Nancy, also served on the Council and was Hamden Town Clerk for several years during the 1980s and 90s.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy, Clark and the rest of the Hurlburt family.
A Memorial Service will take place Saturday, December 7th
Lakeside Lodge, Route 42, Bethany
Revised 11/26/13
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Captain G. Donald "Don" Steele
1919-2012
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October 7, 2012 - It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of G. Donald "Don" Steele, 93, on Saturday, September 15th. Don's obituary, published for the first time in today's New Haven Register, is pictured below.
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| March 1973 - Don with his 1951 Seagrave pumper |
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Don was an active member of Co. 5 from the early 1960s until well into the 1980s, having served as Captain from 1967 to 1972. Don's son, Tim, was also an active member and company officer during his time with the company.
Don was also very active in other fire service organizations in Connecticut, including the New Haven County Fire Emergency Plan, of which he was secretary for many years.
Don attended the April 26, 2011 Co. 5 member reunion and the November 11, 2011 Centennial Celebration at the Elks, at which he was one of three World War II veterans presented with a quilt from Quilts of Honor (see photos below).
Posted 10/7/12
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| October 7, 2012 - © 2012 The New Haven Register |
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| April 26, 2011 - Youngest and oldest. Russ Olson, presently the captain of Co. 5, posed with Don Steele, then 92, who was the oldest living past captain of the company. |
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| At last year's Centennial Dinner, Nancy Olson presented a quilt from Quilts of Honor to WWII veteran Don Steele, who was seated beside his son, Tim. (CLICK to enlarge) |
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| Co. 5 Captain Find C.C. Pedersen |
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Former Co. 5 Captain Find C.C. Pedersen
We regret to report that we have received word from Anders Pedersen that his brother, Find, passed away on March 26, 2012 at Andy's home in Maryland after a lengthy illness.
Find C.C. Pedersen, Jr. joined Co. 5 in March 1951 and was Captain from 1959-61 and again from 1962-66. He remained an active member until 1969, when he left Hamden to become a teacher in the Tolland, Connecticut school system. Find joined the Tolland Volunteer Fire Department and soon became president of the association.
Find was a great guy who was an important leader in the company during the 1950s and 60s.
Find was predeceased by his wife, Sandy, in 2006. Our condolences go out to Andy and the rest of Find's family.
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CLICK on above photo for more photos
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