Fire Chief Walter O. “Tim” Nelson, who has led the department since early 2010, will retire from the position at the end of June, bringing to a close a more than 43-year career in fire services in which his emphasis has been on helping others, including those in the community and those with whom he works.
“The best part of the job is the connections and using those connections to take care of people,” Nelson said in a phone interview April 1.
Nelson’s retirement was announced by town officials publicly last week, though his pending departure hasn’t been a secret, as he walked with a farewell sash in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Nelson, 67, came to Amherst after 29 years with the Holyoke department, where he rose to deputy chief.
“I really feel I’ve been part of two great fire departments,” Nelson said.