Passing the torch: Family generations among Worcester firefighters at graduation ceremony
WORCESTER – It was a mostly family affair for the fire department’s first graduate class of the year Friday morning, with many graduates being second and even third generations in the profession.
Nineteen graduates, among them a Shrewsbury Fire Department graduate, walked across the auditorium stage of Worcester Technical High School as their names were called one after the other.
At the end of the line, after shaking hands with speakers Mayor Joseph M. Petty, City Manager Eric D. Batista, Councilor-at-Large Kathleen M. Toomey, Worcester Fire Chief Martin W. Dyer and Union President John W. Dwyer, the new graduates were pinned by family members, often by spouses or parents who in some cases were current or former members of the department.
That was the case for Justin and Tyler Anger, whose grandfather Gary Anger, a retired Worcester firefighter, and father, Worcester Fire Capt. David Anger, both in their formal firefighter uniforms, pinned the brothers with their new badges.
All the while, Justin’s young son Caleb - the fourth generation of the Angers - stood by the men watching his father and uncle get their pins.
Daniel Wyco was pinned by his father, retired Worcester Fire Capt. Mark Wyco, while in a generational cross between departments, Kelly McGinn was pinned by her father, Police Deputy Chief Edward McGinn.
A Shrewsbury Fire graduate, Anthony Gabrielle, was also among the class of 2023. It is common practice for graduation classes to have candidates from different departments.
“Firefighting is not merely a job,” said Petty in his speech, “it is a calling that requires tremendous bravery in the face of danger.
“Firefighters rely on each other in the most challenging and hazardous situations. Your fellow firefighters become your second family, your brothers and sisters who share your triumphs and console you in times of difficulty,” he said.
As the class spokesperson, graduate Kevin Kohl gave a speech in which he did not fail to mention every member of his class, sometimes with an anecdote, other times with references to inside jokes.
Kohl, who himself was pinned by his girlfriend, made light of the 13 weeks of training during which he half-jokingly lamented the grueling physical preparation and testing required for new firefighters.
Often roaring with laughter at occasional jokes, the audience was roused to whooping and intense applause as the audience rose for a standing ovation at the end of the ceremony.
“Looking back, it feels like just yesterday we walked through the doors of the academy,” said Kohl. “We entered as individuals from different backgrounds with their own unique stories and aspirations, but quickly became quite a tight knit family bound by a shared purpose – even the Shrewsbury guy.
“Together we will make a difference. We did it, but the journey has just begun.”
Here’s the full list of the graduates of Recruit Class 2023-01:
Justin Anger
Tyler Anger
Christian Bilzerian
Mattew Fantasia
Cera Fredette
Roberto Fuentes
Anthony Gabrielle
Joseph Hakkarainen
Roy Kimball
Kevin Kohl
Lauren Martin
Kelly McGinn
Patrick Reumann
Daniel Roche
Daniel Roy
Matthew Sargent
Shaun Siequist
Luismael Suarez
Daniel Wyco
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Family generations among Worcester firefighters at graduation ceremony
