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On the morning of
November 6, 1981, a fire erupted at the
Knights of Columbus Hall behind St. Mary's Church in
Simsbury. The fire started in the garage and quickly extended
throughout the second floor. The fire was well underway when the
first units arrived on-scene. Approximately sixty-five
firefighters answered the call that morning.
Crews went to work to bring the fire under control. Roof
ventilation operations were ordered, and teams began to advance
hose lines by several different points of access. Lieutenant
Richard Kelleher
was with a team on an exterior stairway helping to take a line
to the second floor when he collapsed.
Lt. Richard Kelleher died
that morning of an apparent heart attack and sadly became the
Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company's first and only line of duty
death. He was thirty-seven years young.
Over 700 people, including 400 firefighters from 46 fire
companies,
gathered to mourn Richard Kelleher's passing. Lieutenant
Richard Kelleher was buried with honors and laid to rest in
Fairview
Cemetery in West Hartford, Connecticut. En route to the
cemetery, the funeral procession drove past the West Hartford
Fire Department Headquarters on
Brace Road.
The West Hartford firefighters and apparatus turned out on the
apron as a sign of respect for their fallen brother.
Chief John Mirick and members from the Simsbury Police Department and Tariffville Volunteer Fire Company stand at attention. The honor guard and pallbearers arrive in Rescue 14. Awaiting the arrival of the hearse. A flag-draped casket in honor of sacrifice. Lieutenant Richard Kelleher is carried to the church with full honors. Representatives from public safety agencies from all around the region attended the service. The assembly gathers inside the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle for the service. Kevin Kowalski, Chris Moores, Ken Beliveau and Peter Gilbert wait to lead the casket. The honor guard leads the procession out of the church. A salute for a fallen brother. Firefighters line Farmington Avenue as the procession leaves the church. West Hartford firefighters stand on the apron in honor of a fallen brother. Ladder 1 leads the procession into the cemetery. Firefighters line up for one final goodbye. A lone Simsbury firefighter prays over the casket. All Simsbury stations were draped with black bunting and had their flags lowered to half-mast in honor of Lieutenant Richard Kelleher.
Chief John Mirick and members from the Simsbury Police Department and Tariffville Volunteer Fire Company stand at attention.
Photographs by John
Ross
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