Kevin McDonald, 39, of Rescue Company 9 of the Waterbury, CT Fire Department, lost his life in an off-duty accident on October 25, 2000. Kevin was inspecting a flatbed dump body truck that he planned to purchase from a brother Waterbury firefighter, Glen Bradley. The bed malfunctioned pinning Kevin and Glen between it and the chassis. Kevin was killed instantly. After several surgeries, Glen is on the road to a full recovery.

Kevin served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for seven years before joining the department and serving Waterbury for twelve years. Kevin served from 1981 to 1988 and was discharged with the rank of sergeant.

Kevin was decorated for his fire service on two occasions. In 1997 he was honored by the Life-Saving Benevolent Association of New York for helping to pull a man from the icy waters of the Naugatuck River in 1996.

Kevin was always a giving person. As a marine stationed in Korea, he donated clothing to the orphanages. He had been donating blood platelets for the Leukemia Society for years to help people with blood-related diseases and disorders. The weekend before he passed away, he competed in the Big Climb in Hartford, as he did every year, to raise money for the Leukemia Society. Just this year, Kevin took over the Waterbury firefighters annual Fill the Boot campaign that raised thousands of dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Asssociation. Kevin served on the Waterbury firefighters Special Services committee and played a key role in planning the funerals for two brother firefighters who died in seperate tragedies this year. He also served on the executive board of the Waterbury Firefighters Union.

Kevin left a wife, Robin, and two children, Kelly (18) and Robert (15). We are trying to raise money to offset some of the family’s financial burden. Memorial T-Shirts will be available soon.

      We have also set up an account with our credit union, to which people can make donations. If you’re interested in making a contribution please feel free to contact me by the means listed below. The McDonald family and the Waterbury firefighters would like to thank you for any support you might lend.

Shawn McDonald WFD firefightinglinks@snet.net (203) 754-5717 Waterbury CT FireFighters and Municipal Federal Credit Union 601 Watertown Avenue Waterbury CT, 06706 (203) 753-9201

Thank you, The McDonald Family and the Waterbury FireFighters