Chief Richard T. McGlynn

Former Ridgefield

Fire Department Chief

Chief Richard T. McGlynn, 82, retired chief of the Ridgefield Fire Department, died October 7, at his home. He was the husband of the late Louise (Santini) McGlynn. Chief McGlynn was born to Margaret (McAuley) and Thomas M. McGlynn in a house across the street from the firehouse in Ridgefield, May 10, 1927, fated to be a firefighter. His grandfather was a founder of the fire department in 1895.

Chief McGlynn is survived by two daughters, Nancy Fazekas and her husband, Frank, of Newtown, and Cathleen Sabia and her husband, William, of Ridgefield; a sister; four grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He joined the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department and began fighting fires while a high school student, before he joined the US Navy during World War II, serving in the Pacific aboard the USS Hugh Purvis. Upon his return, Chief McGlynn joined the force, as well as assisting his father in the operation of the family plumbing business. A volunteer in addition to being a member of the paid firefighters, he was elected chief of the volunteer department from 1964 to 1968. In 1973, he became the paid department’s first chief, a post he held until his retirement in 1989.

He had early hobbies of fishing, hunting, and racecar driving at the former Danbury Fair grounds. A member of the Connecticut and Fairfield County Fire Chiefs’ Association, he was also a member of St Mary’s Church, Ridgefield.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated October 13. Burial followed in St Mary’s Cemetery, Ridgefield.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Ridgefield Fire Department Ambulance Fund, 6 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield CT 06877.

The Newtown Bee       October 16, 2009