Crime & Safety
Norwood Fire Department Pays Tribute to a "Firefighter's Firefighter"
By George Morrice
It happened 51 years ago. Norwood Fire Captain Joseph McCormack and others fought a large fire at the tannery on Endicott Street.
Captain McCormack worked hard and breathed in a considerable amount of smoke that fire. The following day, while driving to a firefighter training roundtable, Captain McCormack felt sick and he was immediately driven to the hospital.
Realizing the seriousness of his condition the hospital transferred him into Boston. There Captain McCormack's condition worsened and he received 52 pints of blood but sadly he died. At the age of 5.2 a Norwood Firefighter was killed in the line of duty leaving a wife and 6 children.
Fast forward to September 2013.
Fire Chief Anthony Greeley was working when he received a phone call from one of Captain McCormack's daughters. While going through an attic the McCormack family found an old portrait of their beloved father, and with the portrait was fire scene/coat of arms painting with Captain Mac's appointment dates.
The family asked if Chief Greeley would like to put the paintings in the fire station. Chief Greely answered with a resounding yes and told the family he would find a spot to hang the pieces.
Chief Greeley contacted Local 1631 Norwood Firefighters President Dennis Mawn and put him in charge of the paintings. In fact, firefighter Mawn had been contacted by Captain Mac's grandson State Trooper Joe Durning about the same thing. Mawn ran with it...
Two weeks ago...And they came. It was like a Norwood Fire roll call from the old days. Howard, Turner, Molloy, Foley, Abely, Paille, Gorman, Williamson, Flaherty and others.
The upstairs lobby of the fire department was packed with Norwood Firefighters new and old and of course members of the McCormack family. All of Captain Mac's children where there, some traveling far to attend the ceremony.
Mawn had organized a dedication and luncheon for the family on 9/11 a date dear to the fire community's heart. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a blessing was given.
But the best part of the ceremony were the stories relayed by the guys who were "on the job" with Captain Mac. A firefighter's firefighter who took the time to talk to the young guys and kids. Someone who was on the forefront of learning about fire behavior and firefighting techniques who attended training roundtables. A man who brought the maneuverable 1-1/2 hand line to the Norwood Fire Department.
Captain McCormack's son spoke and everyone listened as he described the man who was his father and a Norwood Firefighter. Everyone listened as they understood the tremendous sacrifice the McCormack family bore.
When you exit the elevator on the third floor of the fire department your eyes are immediately drawn to the right of the trophy case. There, with dignity and respect, you come face to face with the portrait of a man who gave all to the people of Norwood.
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