Milford Firefighter Died Due To Occupational Cancer: Chief

MILFORD, MA — The Milford Fire Department is mourning former firefighter John “Ted” DePaolo Jr., who died this week after a battle with cancer that was thought to be related to his job.

DePaolo is the son of former Milford fire chief John DePaolo, and won a seat on the Milford Planning Board in the 2023 spring election.

Milford Fire Chief Mark Nelson said DePaolo's died after "a long, courageous battle" with occupational cancer. The Milford Permanent Firefighters Association Local 2140 union said in January 2017 that DePaolo had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and held a blood drive in his name in June 2022.

Visiting hours for DePaolo will be held Sunday at Edwards Memorial Funeral Home followed by a funeral mass Monday at Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish, and a burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Milford