Fairhaven Deputy Fire Chief Retires after 48 yrs on job

Fairhaven Deputy Fire Chief Donn Fletcher was honored Wednesday as he finished out his 48 year career with the department.

Neighbors, colleagues, family and friends lined the street to greet Fletcher as he was driven home in a fire truck on his final day of work.

"It's been a great ride the whole way. I'm just really proud of it. It's the best job in the world, best profession in the world, best people in the world,” said Fletcher.

Fletcher got emotional talking to ABC 6 New about just how much this job has meant to him. In fact, he could have retired years ago, but didn't want to leave the job he loved. So, he stayed as long as the age requirement allows.

"All happy tears thinking back over the years and the times that I've had with these guys. I'm getting choked up now,” said Fletcher.

Those guys sorry to see him go recalling some great memories through the years.

"We fought a bunch of fires together and kind of the running joke is that ever since I've been a Lt. and he's been a Deputy Chief we haven't had a house burn down the ground together when on the same grounds,” said Todd Correia who was just promoted to Deputy Chief.

"He's always been there when you needed him, just a very dedicated individual,” said firefighter Wayne Oliveira.

And after nearly five decades on the job we asked the Deputy Chief to take us through what was going through his head as he made this final trip home.

He shared a funny story from the past that came up between him and the lieutenant who drove him.

"When he was a lieutenant he always wanted to blow the siren and blow the air horn and I always had to be the guy to say get your hand off of that thing, get your foot off of that thing. So coming home, I said go ahead blow it all you want,” said Fletcher.

As for Fletcher's proudest moment with the department. he points to the promotions through the years especially becoming Deputy Chief 16 years ago.