Longtime Natick Fire Captain To Retire, Ending 70-Plus Year Family Run

NATICK, MA — Longtime Natick Fire Department Captain Mark Connelly is set to work his last shift this week. It will mark the first time in over 70 years that a member of his family won't be a fixture in the department.

Connelly started with the fire department in 1988, joining his father and brother as members of the staff.

His father started with the department in 1950 and retired as a lieutenant in 1982. His brother began with the department in 1979 and retired as Deputy Chief in 2018.

"Captain Connelly has been very active in fire department and a member of the Natick Community his entire life," fire officials said.

They continued:

"Mark spent a brief 10 years in West Natick assigned to Engine 4 before moving downtown. In 2001, Mark was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to Engine 1. Six years later, Mark was promoted to Captain and was assigned to Ladder 1. In addition to being very active in the department, Captain Connelly was a longtime member of the town's technical rescue team and was the assigned house captain for Station 1."