Easton firefighter mourned at memorial service

EASTON, Conn. (AP) — Hundreds of firefighters and emergency workers from across the Northeast attended a memorial service Saturday for Lt. Russell Neary, an Easton firefighter killed in the line of duty during Superstorm Sandy.

Followed by a fire truck and ambulance draped in dark bunting, the firefighters marched to the Notre Dame Church, which was so packed that some uniformed personnel and others in attendance listened to the service on speakers outside the church. Dignitaries at the service included Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who had directed flags be lowered to half-staff across Connecticut.

Neary, who was 55, was clearing tree debris from a road on Monday when another tree fell on him. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

His nephew, Chris Neary, said his uncle dedicated himself completely to everything he did.

"The most successful role he played was as a father and husband," his nephew said. "One thing we should all strive for, those of us here on earth, family, friends and community: Live like Russ did."

Neary, who was president of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company, had served on the department for more than decade in addition to his day job as a vice president of the Global Ocean Marine Department at General Reinsurance in Stamford.

Coach buses shuttled people, including community members who did not know Neary personally, to the church from down the street because there was no parking. Uniformed personnel came from more than 20 Connecticut towns as well as New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Assistant Fire Chief George Gomola of Fairfield said he coached the Easton travel soccer team with Neary. One of Neary's daughters, Caitlin, played on the team.

"He would get home after flying the Red-Eye from the West Coast, but he'd show up with the tent, cooler, first-aid kit, soccer balls and a smile," Gomola said. "It's a tremendous tragedy."

Lt. Michael Maloney, of New Britain, has been a firefighter for 25 years. He said it was his duty to attend the service and honor Neary.

"No one wants to do this," Maloney said. "We're all family."

Malloy, who attended along with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, said at the service that Neary was an inspiration.

"Today we are reminded that at the very core of the Catholic Church is to love thy neighbor. I would have no role here today if it were not for how this man loved his neighbor," Malloy said. "But from this day, we must all find inspiration in the way that he lived and died, loving thy neighbor."

Neary was one of three Connecticut residents killed during the storm.