CHICOPEE, Mass. - Deputy Chief Wayne Lemay has been with the Chicopee Fire Department for 36 years.

He started his shift on Tuesday the way he usually would. "I am making my rounds to all the stations, dropping off some notices, picking up any damaged equipment that needs repaired," Lemay said. 

What You Need To Know

  • Deputy Chief Wayne Lemay retired from the Chicopee Fire Department 
  • He served 36 years on the department and his last shift was Tuesday
  • Lemay never called in sick during his entire time on the department
  • He says he will miss his coworkers the most 

Lemay's routine felt a little different for him on Tuesday because it was his last shift. After serving the department for more than three decades, he said it was time to retire.

"It is definitely a bitter sweet thing," Lemay said.

During his entire 36-year career, he has never once called out sick for a shift.

"It almost became a challenge towards the end," said Lemay. "I wanted to make it the full 36. Some of my friends were saying I should call out on the last day, but I can't do that."

Lemay drove around to the different stations in the city, making his rounds as usual. It was a bit of a slower shift for his final day, since there weren't any calls that required his response.

"It's been a quiet morning, which is okay with me," said Lemay.

It gave Lemay some time to reflect on his career. Spectrum News 1 asked Lemay what his most memorable moment was over the 36 years. He said aside from the events of 9/11, it was going to Worcester in 1999 after six firefighters died in the Cold Storage Warehouse fire.

"I remember working out there with our current chief right now," said Lemay. "We drove out in a convoy of fire trucks to man their city stations."

Lemay said the job can be dangerous.

"When there is bad storms, you have to tell your family, 'I might not be home. My job is for the city, too,'" he said.

But Lemay wouldn't trade it for a thing. He said it's because of the people he has met along the way.

"That is what I am going to miss the most, the camaraderie. It's like your extended family, it's tough to walk away from this," Lemay said. "I couldn't wait to get into work sometimes."

Lemay said it is going to feel weird, but after all those years of 24-hour shifts, he's ready for some much deserved time to relax.

"First thing I'm going to do tomorrow is sleep in," Lemay said.

The 1986 fire academy class. Deputy Chief Lemay is in the top row, third from the left/Courtesy Chicopee Fire Department