Easton Firefighters Will March To Lt. Neary's Funeral

EASTON, Conn. – Members of the Easton Volunteer Fire Company will march to the funeral of Lt. Russell Neary Saturday morning. The 55-year-old president of the company was killed Monday night by a falling tree.

Flags flew at half mast at the Easton Fire Department to memorialize Lt. Russell Neary, who was killed Monday night clearing downed trees and debris during Hurricane Sandy.
Photo Credit: *Ken Liebeskind*

A memorial display at Easton fire headquarters honors Lt. Russell Neary. It was contributed by the Trumbull Fire Department.
Photo Credit: *Ken Liebeskind*

by Ken Liebeskind

11/02/2012 11:00 a.m.

Easton firefighters will march from Town Hall to Notre Dame church on Morehouse Road, where the funeral will take place at 11 a.m.

Firefighters from Monroe, Trumbull, Fairfield, Redding and Weston will also march, Easton Fire Chief Jim Girardi said.

The public can view the marchers and is invited to attend a reception after the funeral at Easton Volunteer Fire Company headquarters, 1 Center Road.

Neary is survived by his wife, Maryanne, daughters Caitlin and Cara and brother, Peter, an Easton fire marshal.

Gov. Dannel Malloy ordered Connecticut flags to half-staff through Saturday evening to honor Neary.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Lt. Neary’s family, friends, and fellow firefighters during this terrible time,” Malloy said in a news release. “He died in the line of duty doing what he loved to do: helping people. This was a devastating storm for the region, made exponentially worse by the death of Lt. Neary and the three Connecticut residents who lost their lives. Connecticut’s first responders put themselves in harm’s way every single day, and we are deeply grateful for their work and the sacrifices they make on behalf of the state. ”

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