Services Held For Retired Fairfield Assistant Fire Chief Chris Tracy

FAIRFIELD, CT — A GoFundMe campaign has been launched in honor of retired Fairfield Assistant Fire Chief Chris Tracy, who died Sunday at the age of 63.

Tracy, a former actor who became a firefighter, was instrumental in creating the Fairfield Regional Fire School, and served in the Fairfield Fire Department for 26 years.

He had a recurring role on the soap opera "All My Children" from 1982 to 2009, and appeared in other soap operas, stage roles and television projects.

"Chris Tracy was my brother and my friend," wrote Assistant Fire Chief George Gomola, who set up the GoFundMe page. "While he wore many hats, the one he was most proud of was his fire helmet. He dedicated his life to perfecting his craft. As a firefighter/EMT, he was one of the best – courageous and kind. As a Company Officer, he was the one that everyone wanted to work with. As a Chief Officer, he led with vision, compassion, and empathy. As a Training Director and Safety Officer, he kept his people safe and made learning fun. Chris made it all seem so easy."

A Celebration of Life for Tracy was scheduled for Wednesday at Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport.

As of Wednesday, the GoFundMe effort had generated more than $20,700 toward a goal of $50,000. Proceeds from the page will go toward Tracy's memorial service, and to assist his wife, Gina, and their son, Michael.

Below is the full obituary for Fairfield Assistant Fire Chief Chris Tracy from Spear-Miller Funeral Home:

Chris Tracy, an actor-turned-firefighter who was instrumental in establishing the Fairfield Regional Fire School, died Sunday.

Tracy, of Guilford, retired in 2017 as Fairfield’s assistant fire chief after 26 years of service, but he remained active in both fire service and acting, as well as multiple charitable causes, such as a 2018 staging of the play, “The Guys,” to benefit California firefighters who lost their homes while fighting the Camp Fire, that state’s most devastating wildfire.

That attention to helping people defined Tracy’s life. He also had an active social media life, and when word of his death reached Facebook, one man responded, “I’m so sad right now.…a telling impact you had on me…and we never met.”

Prior to his work in fire service, Tracy played EMT and medical student Dick Franzman on the ABC soap opera, “All My Children.”

Born Feb. 24, 1960, in Manchester, Conn., Tracy was one of five children of a professor of fine arts. He was introduced to acting as a child, when he began studying violin and guitar. Tracy studied pre-law and theater at Penn State University, where he participated in collegiate productions. Upon graduation, Tracy moved to New York City, acquired an agent, and earned a recurring role on “All My Children,” which lasted from 1982 to 2009. He married Gina Russell (Tracy), actor and playwright, in 1983.

Tracy appeared in other soaps, and in several nighttime pilots. He also acted extensively in regional theater, and served as theater director for Theater for the New City; producer and host at Valley Shore Community Television, and producing director at Connecticut Playwrights Theatre.

In addition to serving as assistant fire chief, Tracy was also Fairfield’s training/safety/deputy fire marshal.

Tracy is survived by his wife, his son, Michael, beloved family members, and many, many friends.

A Celebration of Chris’s life will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 651 Pequot Avenue, Southport. Calling hours were held Tuesday at Spear-Miller Funeral Home.

Friends have established a GoFundMe page to help defray funeral costs. Please follow the link below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/chief-chris-tracy-we-got-you-brother?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Christopher B. Tracy, please visit our floral store.

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