Lennon Honored For Decades Of Service To Lynnfield

Note: The following is a press release from the Lynnfield Fire Department:

The held a retirement ceremony for Deputy Fire Chief Francis Lennon last week at the Lynnfield Center Fire Station.  Lennon was honored for his forty-five years of service to the town. 

The event was attended by over 100 people, including Lynnfield Fire Department members and retirees, Wakefield Fire Chief Michael Sullivan, and many other fire chiefs and firefighters from around the area.  Lennon, a Wakefield resident and a Lynnfield native, received citations and gifts from those in attendance.

Retirement Took Effect Saturday

Lynnfield Fire Chief Thomas Bogart presented Lennon with a gold fire chief’s badge to signify Lennon’s time as the interim chief last year.  Lennon was also presented with his helmet and shield by retired Police/Fire Chief Paul Romano, who appointed Lennon as Deputy Chief in 1980. 

Lennon was appointed interim chief when Romano retired in 2009 until Bogart was appointed permanent chief in 2010.  Lennon then resumed his position of deputy chief until his retirement, which takes effect officially on Saturday.

Various Officials On Hand

Chief Bogart served as master of ceremonies and welcomed elected officials and dignitaries from the area including State Senator Katherine Clark and members of the Lynnfield Board of Selectmen, Chairman Allen Merritt and Robert MacKendrick. 

Lennon received citations from the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives, as well as from the Lynnfield Board of Selectmen.  He was presented a citation from the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts by Lynnfield Fire Fighter’s President Kim Diorio-McGonnell.  Lennon was then presented a gold retired fire chiefs badge from Bogart and his fire helmet by Romano. 

Lennon was recognized by Senator Clark for his long service to the town.  “The Massachusetts Senate recognizes you for your many years of camaraderie, leadership and service to the Town of Lynnfield.” said Senator Clark. 

Bogart thanked Lennon for his commitment and dedication to the department.  “Deputy Lennon was a steady hand and guiding force for the department for many, many years.  He deserves a lot of credit for the success of the fire department,” said Bogart.

A Long And Distinguished Career

MacKendrick, a member of the Lynnfield Board of Selectmen and a retired Assistant Fire Chief who served with Lennon for many years spoke next. “Francis is a good guy and did a great job of keeping the department on track for nearly five decades. A remarkable feat indeed,” said MacKendrick. 

Romano credited Lennon for his ability as an incident commander and his positive contributions to the department.  “Francis was widely known in the area as having great command skills and I knew I could trust him when our members went to work at fires in Lynnfield or on mutual aid to other communities.  It was comforting for me to know that the men would be safe under his command,” said Romano. 

Lennon concluded with his remarks saying, “I enjoyed every minute of it.”