Community Corner

Retired Canton Fire Chief James Fitzpatrick to be Honored with Citizen of the Year Award

The Blue Hills Civic Association has announced that retired Canton Fire Chief James Fitzpatrick has been named the 2013 recipient of the Dr. Richard Elkort “Citizen of the Year” award for citizenship, service and commitment to a better community.

This is the 30th year the award will be presented. 

The Chief will be honored at a reception held at the Canton Town Club (300 Bailey St.) on Monday, September 9.

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For more information, read the following release from the Blue Hills Civic Association:

James Fitzpatrick was brought into this world by local physician Dr. Dean S. Luce in Canton.

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In 1955 he graduated from Norwood Vocational School and went onto Fitchburg State College.  He started working at the Plymouth Rubber Company. 

In 1958 Jim was appointed as substitute call firefighter and as permanent intermittent firefighter in 1959. He became a permanent full time firefighter in 1965 and appointed chief in 1978 at the age of 41 making him the youngest chief for the Town of Canton.

He also served the town in that position for the longest amount of time - 23 years.

As the community grew over those years Jim updated the apparatus fleet, increased the staffing and began the Canton Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Division.

Jim also served his country in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Army National Guard from 1955-1977 retiring as a Major in the National Guard.

Jim was married to the late Doris Briffett and has four children - Lynn, James Jr. Susan and Ann, and two grandchildren - Katie and Tyler.

He continues to be active in the Canton community as a member of the Canton Historical Commission, the Canton Conservation Commission, the Council on Aging, HESSCO, the Canton Area Helpline, Canton Historical Society and the Canton Rotary Club, as their 2013 recipient of their Service Above Self Award.

His love for history and for the community shows with the activities he assists with and the stories he shares. This Greek Proverb seems fitting “A society grows great when one plants trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”

Please join us in honoring the “Chief” for his contributions, service and achievements to our community at the Canton Town Club, 300 Bailey St. in Canton, Monday September 9, 2013.

The evening begins with a social hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:15 p.m. 

Tickets are $28 per person. (Cash bar, silent auction, food catered by Fasano's)

The reservation deadline is September 2.

Call Peg Keddy at 781-828-1342 or Sue Gibbs at 781-821-0484 for tickets or more information (If you have a silent auction item please call Peg at the number listed above). 




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