Cape Cod Fire Community Mourns Death Of Dennis Fire Captain

DENNIS, MA — A fire captain who some have described as a "legend" in the local fire service industry has died.

Dennis Fire Captain Wayne Conlon died after a "courageous battle" with occupational cancer, the Dennis Fire Union announced.

Conlon worked in Dennis from May 21, 1981, until Dec. 6, 2021. He went on to serve as Union President of Dennis Firefighters Local 2583 for 27 years, making him the longest-serving Union President in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, officials said.

"Captain Conlon’s legacy is defined by his decades of commitment to the Dennis Fire Department, his steadfast leadership of Local 2583, and his tireless advocacy on behalf of his brothers and sisters in the fire service," union officials said in a statement. "His loss is deeply felt by his family, friends, and the entire fire service community."

Officials across Cape Cod have shared their thoughts, including the Barnstable Fire Department.

"Captain Conlon was a legend in the fire service and will be greatly missed," officials said.

"RIP Captain," officials with the Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills Fire and Rescue Department said. "Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with the Conlon family and our brothers and sisters at the Dennis Fire Department during this difficult time."

"We are in mourning with our brothers and sisters from Dennis Fire today after the passing of retired Captain Wayne Conlon," officials with the Harwich Fire Department said. "Our thoughts are with the Conlon family and his family at the Dennis Fire Department."