Retired Stratford Assistant Fire Chief Dies, Mourned By Community

STRATFORD, CT — The Stratford and Monroe fire departments are mourning the death of retired Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Cassia.

Both departments announced Cassia’s death on Thursday.

“AC Cassia was an incredibly accomplished member of the Connecticut Fire Service and led, educated and encouraged countless firefighters,” reads a post on the Stratford Professional Firefighters IAFF 998 union’s Facebook page. “He began his career with the Stratford Fire Department in 1985, rising through the ranks as a Firefighter, Lieutenant and Assistant Chief before his retirement in 2009.”

Cassia was also a member of the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years and served in numerous leadership positions.

“As a former high school science teacher, AC Cassia placed the education of firefighters in the highest regard to ensure their safety and constantly improve the level of service they provided to the public,” the Stratford firefighters’ union wrote in the post. “He served over 35 years as an instructor at the Connecticut Fire Academy. He also served as an Adjunct Instructor for Chemistry of Hazardous Materials at the University of New Haven and as an instructor for Hazardous Materials Contingency planning.

“He received multiple awards for his unwavering dedication to public safety, including Firefighter of the Year from the Monroe VFD and from the Fairfield County Fire Chiefs. In 2023, he was inducted into the CT Firefighter's Hall of Fame.

“We will miss you Chief.”