The West Haven Fire Department will be conducting its annual Firemen’s Memorial ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 15. The ceremony will take place on the West Haven Green, at the Firemen’s Memorial, and will begin at 10 am. Each year the department honors those members who have passed away during the year as well as all those who have come before. This year we will be ringing the bell for the following members:
Richard Murray, Sr., Career Department & Engine Co. #5; James McCarthy, Jr., Career Department – Lieutenant; Richard Garcia, Hook & Ladder Co. #1 & WH ERS; Ralph Console, Jr., Hook & Ladder Co. #1; William Abbott, Career Department – Chief of Department; Michael Cacace, Engine Co. #4 – Captain; Richard Memmott, Career department & Engine Co. #3.
If anyone has a family member who has passed away during the year and was a Career or Volunteer member of the WHFD, please contact us at whfdhistory@gmail.com or visit our website: whfdhistory.com and we will be sure to include them in the ceremony.
The 2023 event program is dedicated in memory of Captain Donald N. Dandelske. Captain Dandelske was one of three men promoted to Captain in 1964. These were the first three Captains in the Career Department, replacing the rank of Assistant Chief as Shift Commanders.
Don’s father, Otto “Butch” Dandelske, was one of the last Assistant Chiefs who were replaced at the time, retiring on 8-4-1964. Donald Dandelske was a Korean War Veteran serving in the US Army. He was hired by the Career Department on 3-18-1953, promoted to Captain on 10-18-1964 and retired on 10-18-1978. In 1961 he served as President of the West Haven Firemen’s Mutual Aid.