Volunteer fire companies left legacy

By CATHY RATZENBERGER
Correspondent
Connecticut Post
Monday, June 14, 2004 -

MILFORD - In memory of those who gave their lives for others, approximately 50 people gathered on the Milford Green Sunday afternoon for a solemn ceremony to honor former members of the Milford Volunteer Fire Department.

Though the volunteers no longer engage in active duty, members of the city's six volunteer companies and their families gather each year on the second Sunday in June to honor their fallen brethren.

In addition to the firefighters, area dignitaries gathered at the Volunteer Fire Department monument to pay their respects.

"The fact that we don't fight fires anymore doesn't mean we shouldn't honor those who died in the line of duty," said Robert R. Scukas, assistant fire chief of Company 1 & 2.

The Milford Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated in 1838. It is believed by many to be the oldest chartered company in the nation. The volunteers remained in active service until 1983 when they were replaced by an all-paid Fire Department.

According to Scukas, there are still more than 200 members within the ranks of the city's six volunteer fire companies with close to three-quarters of the membership remaining active.

Though more of a social organization today, the members still provide community service through various activities, including EMS standby and Boy Scout training.

Sunday afternoon's ceremony featured a member from each company who laid a wreath at the base of the monument. It was followed by a reading of the names of those who died in the line of duty. Following each name the fire bell, used from the late 1800s to the 1930s to warn the Milford community of a fire, rang once.

Honored during the ceremony were: M. William Power, who died Nov. 20, 1947; Thomas R. Mahoney, who died Jan. 6, 1953; Thomas L. Maher, who died January 19, 1953; Adelibert Matthews, who died Jan. 17, 1953; Edgar A. Brunette, who died Oct. 28, 1973; and James A. Devico, who died Oct. 25, 1980.

"These people gave the ultimate sacrifice, and we need to remember and honor them," Scukus said.

Also recognized were former volunteer firefighters who died this year. They included David Weyant, Walter Kubek, Lloyd Fleming, Hank Hyde, Jack Connors and Donald "Smitty" Smith.

As a member of Company 3 during the 1950s, Sandy Costello said he followed his father into volunteering and was among several generations in his family who served Milford. He said the bell tolling for the deceased was an extremely moving tribute.

"It was a fellowship of brotherhood," Costello said of the time he served. "Everyone and their families were so close."

Former resident Jane Goertz said she and her husband, Gordon, return each year from Florida to be present at the ceremony. Gordon has served as captain for Company 4.

"It's a day to honor all of the fallen comrades," Jane Goertz said.

Mayor James L. Richetelli, Jr. said he wanted to pay tribute to this special group of people.

"These are the old-faithful. It's been over two decades since we had active companies. The volunteer firefighters certainly have provided a service to Milford and some have paid the ultimate price," Richetelli said.