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Remembering
Dennis R. Lemery
Dayville Fire Department — Connecticut
Classification: Volunteer
Rank: Lieutenant
Date of Death: January 19, 1994
Age: 36
Dennis Lemery was a devoted husband,
father, son, and member
of the community who was always
there to lend a listening ear or
shoulder to cry on. He married
his wife, Linda Blain, in
1978. Together they settled
in Killingly, Connecticut,
where they raised their
two children, Holly and
Eric.
Dennis worked as a
school bus driver for the
Town of Killingly, as well
as part-time in the family
business, Lemery’s Auto
Upholstery. When he was
not working, community
service made up a large part
of his life. He participated
in both Cub Scouts and Boy
Scouts, in which he was a Scout
Master. He was a tee ball and baseball
coach for both children. Dennis
also enjoyed many hobbies such as adultchild
bowling league, camping, and hunting.
At the age of 18, Dennis joined the Dayville
Volunteer Fire Company as a volunteer firefighter.
The fire department was a very important part of
Dennis’s life, as well as a second family. He spent
many hours at the firehouse, whether it was for
drills or polishing the fire trucks with his fellow
firefighters, or just spending time with his
children. He was an active member of
the fire department until his death in
1994, as a result of a heart attack
after responding to several calls.
Dennis put in 18 years of
dedicated service as a firefighter
and achieved the
rank of lieutenant of
the ladder company. As
a last tribute to him,
Dennis was carried on
an engine to his final
resting place. This was a
wish he confided in his
daughter after watching
the movie Backdraft. This
wish became a reality with
the hard work of his wife
and dedication of his fellow
firefighters.
Dennis passed his love of the
fire department on to his children.
After his death, the members of the fire
department remained an active part of his
family’s lives. Both children joined the fire department
at the age of 16 as junior members and still
play an active role as members of the local fire and
EMS services.
Dennis will be forever in the hearts and memories
of all those he has touched.