After 50 years in the fire service, Fire Chief Robert McGrath had his last day with the Stratford Fire Department on Friday.
McGrath’s career began half a century ago, according to a letter written by McGrath’s son, shared by the Stratford Professional Firefighters IAFF 9988 via Facebook.
He began as a probationary firefighter with the Stamford Fire and Rescue Department in 1970.
“With hard work, grit, and determination, he worked his way up to through the ranks from firefighter to lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and ultimately chief where he oversaw the department for over a decade,” wrote McGrath’s son, who wasn’t identified by name. After 41 years in Stamford, he stepped down in the summer of 2011.
But, in the months that followed what McGrath thought was his retirement, he felt like he had more to give, his son said.