The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-06
TAPS! Joseph E. Fortin, Old Time Fireman, Will Be Sadly Missed Department Pen sion Dies With
 Deceased
By the Fire Marshal

Joseph E. Fortin died this morn ing at the Waterbury hospital from injuries sustained in the out skirts of Thomaston, just after he had alighted from Thomas ton bound bus late last night. He was on his way to his temporary home at the time of the accident. The driver of the machine was Arthur J. Veillette of Munson avenue, Waterbury. Our reason for commenting upon the affair is that Joe was an old time Water bury fireman.
 You may not know it, but Joe was identified with the depart ment in the days when firemen wore prominent moustachios, and cut quite dash with their young trim figures, and nicely pressed uniforms, even if they were on &C., tive duty during the entire A hours, except for one hour for each meal. Two days a month was all the vacation they got. No one loOKeo snapper Cnau Joe.
 In the fall of the year, October 18, 1905, Joe came into the depart ment as a regular member. He was assigned by the late Chief Samuel c. Snagg to Chemical company, No. 1, Fire Headquar- ters, where the late Chief Heitman was captain. The other privateS in the old station in Leavenworth street then were Ed Kane, official driver of the three horse hitch, Jerry Scully, Patsy Croce, killed in East Main street on a Sunday afternoon, May 19, 1912, when the old chemical engine turned over answering a false alarm, Eddie Madden, and Will O'Donnell. Later Joe went to the newly opened Willow street station, off, cially, Chemical Engine company, No. 2, under the well known Cap tain George c. Doderer, with Tom Bywater, FredMoon, Bill Powers and John Guinan comprising the other private. Their lively black team of horses answered to the to the names of Jack and Dan. Joe hadn't been in the department so long before he sustained per- manent leg injury while sliding down the house pole during the night season to answer an alarm which later proved false. He was in the hospital for a long time.
 Upon his recovery, he was as- signed as house watch at the busy headquarters station. For awhile he rdove Chief Snagg's trotter, Louey, high bred animal, brought into the department for speed in getting the department head to the scene of the fire. And how he could travel; it required brawn and exceptional strength to hold him down. Private Will Rev. holds, probably the greatest judge of horse flesh in the department, classed Louey as one of the finest horses he had ever driven behind. Every kid" in town knew the horse at the time mentioned, or later when he was turned over to Supt. Charles K. Ahearn of the bureau of fire alarm. Charley be- came attached to the fine old horse, as did the others in this. branch of the fire service. Often Louey stuck his handsome head into Charley's nearby cota pocket, looking for sweets, which he often fed his horse.
 On October 20, 1913, Joe's in- jured leg bothered him so much he requested and obtained trans fer to the retired list. From that on, he has been fire department pensioner. The pension dies with him.
 Joe Fortin was Canadian born, but had lived in Waterbury since boyhood. His home was always in the south end. His first employ ment was with the old Water bury Watch company, or New England Watch company. Every body in this fine old plant of a past day knew and liked him. So did the members of the fire de- partment.
 The peculiar thing about Joes death is that shortly before his death he was in attendance at the bier of his brother-i -in-law, Peter LeCour, at the Mulville funeral house.
 Chief Thomas Cavanaugh knew Joe well; both served in the de- partment together.
 Joe Fortin was fine and high type of fellow" said the chief to- day. He was quiet and softly spoken, did well the duties assign ed him. and spoke highly concern ly each and every individual with whom he was brought in contact during his service in the depart ment. His ending was sad"
 The funeral will take place Sat- urday morning from the Mulyille funeral home.
 Chief Cavanaugh will see that the fire department of the present day is represented.
 ------------------