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Chief Raymond C. Spencer - 1942-1960
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Raymond C. Spencer (1895-1978) served as Hamden's first paid fire chief from April 1942 until his retirement in November 1960. A summary of Chief Spencer's fire service career is noted below in a copy of the November 19, 1960 dedication page of the 25th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Firemen's Ball Program. Chief Spencer had retired the previous day.
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| Scan of the dedication page of the November 29, 1960 program for the Annual Thanksgiving Eve Firemen's Ball |
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| © The New Haven Evening Register - December 1960 |
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Chief Spencer continued to be seen about town for many years after his retirement. He was a frequent breakfast time patron at the Brown Stone House at the corner of Whitney and Dixwell Avenues. Hamden firefighters coming off the night shift would often have breakfast there before heading off to their part time jobs. "Hello, boys!" was Chief Spencer's standard cheery greeting to the firefighters, most of whom had come on the job long after he left it. Chief Spencer died on December 14, 1978.
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