A longtime Milford firefighter known for charitable work has died of occupational cancer
MILFORD — For years, John "Ted" DePaolo Jr., was routinely one of the first firefighters to enter a burning building.
On Oct. 3, he paid the ultimate price for his heroism, dying of the occupational cancer he developed after years of breathing in toxic air. He was 60.
"He was a fearless firefighter," said Milford Fire Chief Mark Nelson. "He was an interior guy — he liked to be on the inside during a fire and he really enjoyed his work. He really was a firefighter."
DePaulo, a 1981 graduate of Milford High School, joined the Fire Department in 1983 as a call firefighter and became a full-time firefighter on Oct. 28, 1984. His father, John "Jack" DePaolo, was also a firefighter, retiring as chief. He died in 2011.
'About fire education': Milford firefighter Christopher Kowal teaches children to be S.A.F.E.
Along with firefighting, DePaolo was heavily involved in organizing and running the town's annual Santa Parade and with local youth sports.
"He was really a kid at heart," Nelson said.
Two Milford firefighters form bond on rescue truck
Firefighter Jim Curley met DePaolo in 1999, when Curley joined the department. The two men worked together on the rescue truck.
"We loved to laugh and make fun of each other," said Curley. "We had a lot in common. We both love the fire service and everything that goes along with it. We became close while working on the rescue together and then worked together at Station 2."
They became good friends, Curley said, bonding over their mutual love for their families. DePaolo and his wife, Gina, had two daughters, Marissa McDonough and Megan Rose DePaolo.
"We both loved our families and talked at length about our girls," said Curley. "We were both very proud, our girls are amazing. He was an incredible father and husband, and I always admired him for that. He would do literally anything for his family."
'Sustained severe damage': Willow Road home in Milford is likely a total loss after two-alarm fire
Outside of firefighting, DePaolo was a Realtor for 20 years. He served on the Planning Board and was a past member of the Vernon Grove Cemetery Commission. He was also a longtime member of the Wachusett Mountain Ski Patrol.
He also organized blood drives for the Dana-Farber Cancer Center and the American Red Cross, and was awarded the Mickey Ward Charities Award for his charitable efforts.
He was an avid golfer and fisherman, and loved to spend time on his boat.
DePaolo was forced to retire in 2017 due to his cancer, Curley said.
"We became even closer during his battle with cancer," said Curley. "I always tried to lift his spirits and encourage him to fight. Despite his fight, he always genuinely cared about me and was always there for me. He always made me feel welcome and loved. No matter what I was struggling with, he always took the time to listen and support me. He was always in my corner, and I was in his. Friends/brothers like Ted just simply cannot be replaced, and I miss him dearly."
DePaolo was buried at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Milford. Donations can be made to the Last Call Foundation, an organization that works to help educate first responders to help reduce cancer mortality for firefighters, or to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Milford Regional Medical Center, c/o the Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation, 14 Prospect St., Milford MA 01757.
Despite not being an active firefighter for several years, DePaolo still had several friends in the department and his death was felt by many, Nelson said.
"It was an emotional time for our department," he said.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Beloved Milford firefighter Ted DePaolo dies of occupational cancer
