Autumn 2017 HFRA Meeting:
- Three Brother Firefighters Remembered -
- Rev. Sanderson's Milestone -
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| Walt Vining |
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| Bill Davin |
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| Ed Doiron |
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At the October quarterly meeting of the Hamden Fire Retirees Association held last Wednesday at the Hamden Elks Lodge, the membership honored three Hamden firefighters who passed since last October. Memorial plaques were presented to the families of Firefighter Walter Vining, Firefighter William Davin, and Firefighter Edward Doiron Sr. Their wives, Barbara Vining, Patricia Davin, and Peg Doiron were all admitted as Honorary Members of the association.
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| HFRA President Bob Mordecai, Tom Doherty and Wendy Vining |
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Wendy Vining, twin sister of former Hamden Firefighter Walter Vining, receives his memorial plaque from Tom Doherty. Tom and Walt were both firefighters assigned to Station 4 on old Platoon 1, and Walt and Tom were cousins. Walter Vining served on the department from 1966 until 1971. He passed away last December 24th. Wendy accepted the memorial plaque on behalf of Walt's wife, Barbara, who was unable to attend.
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| Bob Mordecai and John O'Hare |
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Retiree John O'Hare accepted Bill Davin's memorial plaque on behalf of Bill's wife, Patricia. John and Bill worked together at 3's on Platoon 4 for many years. Bill Davin served on the department from 1965 to 1995, and passed away January 14th.
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| Bob Mordecai, Peggy Doiron, Gil Spencer, and Chief Edward Doiron Jr., Gainesville [Missouri] Fire Department |
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Gil Spencer presented Ed Doiron's memorial plaque to Ed's wife, Peg. Gil was Ed's company officer at Station 4 in the 1970s. Edward Doiron served on the department from 1964 to 1993. He passed away on October 4th. Ed's son, Edward Doiron Jr. (right), is chief of the Gainesville Fire Department in southern Missouri.
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Big Milestone for "the Rev"
Following HFD Chaplain Rev. Owen Sanderson's benediction at the conclusion of the meeting, HFRA president Bob Mordecai asked "the Rev" to stand by for a special surprise presentation. Rev. Sanderson was presented with a plaque from the HFRA members commemorating the 60th anniversary of his ordination. President Mordecai noted Rev. Sanderson's more than 50 years of dedication to his fellow Hamden career and volunteer firefighters of all faiths.
Now 85, and no longer an active firefighter, Rev. Sanderson was among the few area fire department chaplains who was an active volunteer firefighter. He is the only Regular member of the HFRA who is actually not retired. "I'm not ready for that yet," he told the crowd before a spontaneous standing ovation.
Posted 10/14/17
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"Your fellow members in the Hamden Fire Retirees Association congratulate you, Reverend Owen J. Sanderson, on your 60 years in the ministry. Thank you, and God bless you, for your many decades of dedicated service to your fellow firefighters - October 11, 2017."
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Standing "O" for the Rev.
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| CLICK to enlarge |
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Below: More member photos from the HFRA October 2017 quarterly meeting,
including many family members and close friends of the honored firefighters
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| John O'Hare, Augie Williams, Bill LaVelle, and Tom Doherty |
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| Chick Manware, Bill Fitzmaurice, Jim Leddy, and Harold Mangler |
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| Jeanie Visel and Wendy Vining |
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| Barbara (Doiron) Miller, Lisa Hoffman (Gainesville F.D.), Pat Doiron, and Chief Ed Doiron Jr (Gainesville F.D.) |
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| Tony DiCrosta and Barb Johnson |
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| Helen and Gil Spencer |
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| Deputy Fire Chief Gary Merwede |
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| Jimmy Koutsopolos and Vic Mitchell |
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| John O'Dea and Dave Proulx |
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| Mark Pratt and Bobby Anthony |
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Then it was time to chow down. Brian Forsyth and his crew
did a great job with the food - as usual.
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