Beloved WeHa Deputy Fire Chief, Simsbury Resident Mourned

WEST HARTFORD/SIMSBURY, CT — The Simsbury and West Hartford communities are mourning the loss of a beloved firefighter who served as the West Hartford Fire Department's deputy chief for years.

West Hartford Firefighters Local 1241 reported the passing of Simsbury resident David C. Desmarais, 70, who died last week "during an unfortunate bicycle accident."

A Navy veteran who served on the USS Forestal aircraft carrier, Desmarais was in the WHFD for 21 years, retiring as deputy chief in 1999, according to the union.

He then served as fire commissioner in Bristol.

Services for Desmarais are Friday, Oct. 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 11 Church St., Tariffville (Simsbury). The funeral is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Trinity.

For Desmarais' full online obituary, click on this link.