We are a town bound by ideals that move us, lift us, teach us what it means to be good citizens. Remarkable people who helped to make our Wellesley safer.
This year, The Wellesley Celebrations Committee, a standing committee of the Select Board, Town of Wellesley honors, Richard “Rick” DeLorie as our Grand Marshal.
At a farewell ceremony to mark the retirement of Wellesley Fire Chief Rick DeLorie, over 200 friends, family members, fire chiefs from all over the state, and town employees gathered to say goodbye at the Wellesley Fire Department headquarters on Route 9.
It’s a retirement well earned. Rick DeLorie spent 30 years with the WFD, 14 of those as the chief leading the town’s 50+ firefighters, administrators, and the special services team. A bold leader entrusted to keep our community safe and protected.
Rick is a Wellesley native and graduate of Wellesley High School. He began working for the Town in 1993 as a Firefighter, rising through the ranks and named Chief in 2009, commanding a diverse team of 57 staff including our Assistant Chief, 5 Deputy Chiefs, 13 Lieutenants and all current and former fire personnel and our Cataldo medics, who have all benefitted from his progressive leadership and dedication to the Town.
Rick has also served the public on a broader scale as a two-term president of The Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association and multi-term chairman of the Metro Fire Chiefs Association. In 2018, Rick was the first Fire Service professional to be awarded the Theodore Mann Regional Leadership Award from the Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Council (MAPC) recognizing his commitment to regional collaboration.
Under Rick’s leadership, the Wellesley Fire and Rescue Department has coordinated and participated in memorable programs for our community including the Annual Senior Thanksgiving Dinner, Annual September 11 Observance, Teen Rescuer Youth Camp, and so much more! Rick is known throughout our community for his caring heart and love of Wellesley.
Rick’s dedication to service began early in life as a Boy Scout, then a Scout leader and now a member of the National Association of Eagle Scouts, in addition to his involvement in many other civic groups. A lifelong learner, he holds bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Framingham State University and has also advanced his skills in leadership and government with programs through the U.S. National Fire Academy, the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and the Naval Postgraduate Executive Leadership Program; and
Rick has passed along a passion for service to his two sons Rick, Jr., and Alex, both Firefighter/EMTs who serve with their Dad, and to his daughter Maggie; he and his wife Ellie recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.
The role of Fire Chief is a 24-hour, seven day a week position that involves high stress and challenging situations, Rick is well known throughout Wellesley for the humor and compassion he brings to his job every day, rarely missing any community events – and a friend to all he meets.
Thank you Chief DeLorie – you’ve been a quiet river of goodness, kindness and service that flows through the heart of our town. We are grateful for your dedication and commitment to serving the community in so many ways.