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| 2026
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Important updates will be posted immediately.
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Last update: Friday, April 17, 2026 - 2136 hrs
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NOTE TO HFRA MEMBERS: The minutes of all past meetings are now in the Members Only pages.
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| FF./Medic Slot |
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John Slot
1956 - 2026
We are saddened to report the passing on April 12th in Hudson, New Hampshire of former Hamden Firefighter/Paramedic John Slot (70), after a hard-fought battle with Parkinson's.
John's served on the department from October 2, 2000 until he left on November 17, 2003. Despite his relatively brief service with the department, John gained a reputation as an excellent medic who was highly regarded by his fellow firefighters.
Born on February 12, 1956, John was the son of Johan (Hans) and Wilhelmina Slot. He moved around a lot during his childhood; he was born in Sydney, Australia, before his parents moved around New England and eventually landed in Chelmsford, MA, and then later Branford, CT. He settled as an adult for many years in Cheshire, CT. While in Chelmsford, he met his high school sweetheart with whom he reconnected later in life and subsequently moved to be with in Hudson.
John wore many hats in his adult life. He was a wedding photographer, he was a medic with the fire department in Hamden, CT and New Haven, CT, he sold equipment to fire departments around New England, and he was a package handler at UPS. He loved gardening, enjoyed wood working, and was always excited to catch a Red Sox game. He could identify classical composers just by listening, and was a hobbyist bird-watcher.
He is survived by his longtime partner Carla Destramp, his stepchildren Jess and CJ Destramp, his daughters Christina Brown and Liz Matthews, his brother and sister-in-law Paul and Traci Slot, nephews Ryan, Collin, and Kyle Slot, his grandchildren Shea and Sam Matthews and Jack Destramp, as well as extended family in the Netherlands. He will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation or Beat PD Today.
Please keep John's family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Posted 4/15/2026
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| It was bound to happen, This time usual group photo following adjournment fell through the cracks. The next best thing was this pic documenting the attendees while attending. CLICK TO ENLARGE |
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The meeting opened with a moment of silence in memory of members Bob Macauley and Dick Carney, who passed away since our last meeting, and Honorary Sylvia Longo, widow of Ff. John Longo. The Association did not learn of Sylvia's passing in December until after the January meeting.
The minutes of the meeting will be published here soon. But in the meantime we can report that the effort to dedicate the Whitney Avenue bridge over Lake Whitney to honor the memory of Ff. Edward Meegan was given a significant boost. It is hoped that the dedication takes place on the centennial of the tragic accident involving Engine 4 that took Ff. Meegan's life on December 10, 1927.
The two attendees not pictured above were Corresponding Secretary-Treasurer and Historian Dave Johnson and his wife Barbara. Barb was voted to Honorary Membership on a motion by Harold Mangler, who noted the great amount of assistance she has provided Dave in performing his durties during the last three years of difficult health issues.
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Richard "Dick" Carney
1934 - 2026
Richard “Dick” Gordon Carney, Ret. HFD, a lifelong resident of Hamden, CT, beloved husband of 66 years to Patricia Louise (Thibeault) Carney, passed away on April 2, 2026 at Connecticut Hospice. Richard was born in Hamden on October 31, 1934, a son of the late Thomas and Caroline (Fields) Carney.
Richard leaves behind his wife Patricia, and his daughters, Janet Reilly (Rob) and Nancy Daley (Mark), both of Hamden, and Susan Jannitto (Jeff) of South Yarmouth, MA. He was predeceased by his brothers, Thomas and Robert Carney. Richard is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Kelly (John), Janie (Greg), Shana (Travis), Katie, Jeffery (Johnna), Morgan (Chris), and Jack, and great-grandchildren, Madelyn, McKenna and McKinley.
Friends may visit with his family on Friday, April 10th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave. in Centerville, and may attend his funeral on Saturday from the funeral home at 9:00 a.m. to process to his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 at St. Paul VI Parish/St. Rita Church, 1620 Whitney Ave in Spring Glen.
Burial with Military Honors will follow in Beaverdale Memorial Park, New Haven. Contributions in Dick’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. To send a condolence to his family, please see: www.beecherandbennett.com.
Please keep Dick's family in your thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
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| Twenty-Fifth Annual Ball Committee - 1960 |
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This photo of the 1960 25th Annual Ball Committee included rookie Dick Carney.
Only on the job six months, Dick wasted no time in getting involved with department activities,
which also included playing on the department's softball team well into the 1970s.
L-R: Bob "Ace" Callahan, John O'Hare, Carney, Gene Maturo and Ray Carofano.
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MEETING NOTICE
The Spring Meeting of the HFRA will be held at the Hamden Elks Lodge,
175 School Street, on Wednesday afternoon, April 8th at 2:00 p.m.
Bar will be open
Agenda:
Treasurer's Report for 1st quarter of 2026
Benefits Committee
History Committee
Sunshine Committee
Anything for the Good of the Association
Dues:
Regular Members only!
Your 2026 $20 dues may be paid by check,
or with PayPal*, or in-person at the meeting. All retired and active HFD welcome! Hope you can be there.
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Robert Macauley
1945 - 2026
We deeply regret to announce the passing of our brother retiree and HFRA member, Ff. Robert Macauley. Robert “Bob” Macauley, 80, of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at his home with his loving family by his side. Robert was born in New Haven on August 4, 1945, and was the son of the late Francis and Helen Healy Macauley.
Robert first answered the call to faithfully serve his country in the United States Air Force and then proudly served his community as a Hamden Firefighter for over three decades.
His greatest joy was spending time with his friends and family who he loved unconditionally. Bob was the beloved husband of the late Joan Lyons Macauley. He is survived by his children, Megin (Brian) DelVecchio, Sean (Jenifer) Macauley, Michael (Ramona) Macauley and Daniel (Crystal) Macauley. His spirit and strength are reflected in each of his grandchildren, Brian DelVecchio Jr.(Elana), Matthew DelVecchio, Kate, Jack, Colton and Cora Macauley. In addition to Joan Vailette and Maureen Siler, he was the brother of Francis "Jack" Macauley who predeceased him, along with many nieces and nephews left to cherish his memory.
Bob enjoyed playing cards, reading and was an avid sports fan, especially the Red Sox, NY Giants, UConn basketball and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football. He was a member of the VFW in Hamden and stayed very active with Max Sinoway baseball league as a coach and volunteer. Bob will be remembered for his quick wit, infectious good nature, and unwavering resilience.
The visiting hours will be on Tuesday, January 27th from 4 to 7 PM in The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A service will be conducted in the funeral home on Wednesday morning, January 28th at 10:00. Interment with full military honors will follow in All Saints Cemetery.
To read Bob's complete obituary, CLICK HERE.
Posted 1/23/2026
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| Sylvia Longo |
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Honorary Member Sylvia Longo
We are saddened to report the sudden passing on December 10th of HFRA Honorary Member Sylvia Longo, widow of Ff. John Longo (1952-2025). With three other HFRA widows, Sylvia had been voted to Honorary Membership only two months earlier at our Autumn Meeting.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the rest of Sylvia's family.
Posted 1/23/26
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| STANDING: Johnson, Leddy, Manware, Doherty, Fitzmaurice, LaBanca, Tortora, Kenney, Spencer, Harrison, Williams. SEATED: Frodel. GUEST: Barb Johnson (13) CLICK TO ENLARGE |
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MEETING NOTICE
The Winter Meeting of the HFRA will be held at theHamden Elks Lodge,
175 School Street, on Thursday morning, January 8th at 9:00 a.m.
Menu: Coffee, donuts, juice
Agenda:
Treasurer's Report for 2025Benefits Committee
History Committee
Sunshine Committee
Anything for the Good of the Association
Dues:
Regular Members only!
Your 2026 $20 dues may be paid by check,
or with PayPal*, or in-person at the meeting. All retired and active HFD welcome! Hope you can be there.
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For your convenience, and to save you the 62-cent* postage cost,
we are providing this PayPal button →
for remitting your $20 annual HFRA dues.
2026 dues cards will be given to paid-up members at the January 8th HFRA meeting, or mailed to them afterward.
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To HFRA Regular Members:
Your 2026 dues are due
Dues are considered "Donations"
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2026 HFRA DUES
Please Note: Only for retired or former career
members of the Hamden Fire Department.
Honorary Members are exempt.
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NEVER FORGET!
We will always remember our brother firefighters who made the supreme sacrifice, and the thousands of other innocent victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
Always keep them, their families and the FDNY in your thoughts and prayers.
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| We Remember (2024-25 Ed.) |
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HOME PAGE UPDATES
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| CLICK HERE: Official Local 2687 Website |
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