History

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The Waltham Firefighters Welfare & Relief Association was organized in 1886 by a group of Firefighters and Wires Department personnel (Fire Alarm) out of necessity due to the lack of medical insurance. Whenever a member was injured or made sick by means of firefighting duties, the Board would gather and vote to extend payments of funds to subsidize any lost wages due to the member’s inability to work.

Over time as the Department grew and wages and benefits (medical) were introduced, the purpose of the Association changed, and the moneys accumulated were held as a death benefit. Over more time the death benefit funds were used as a retirement benefit and as the funds sat idle it was determined that the Association could use the account to purchase flowers for various occasions.

Recent history will show that in 1991 Bill Hayes, Bill Kresser, Jim Kelly and Steve Lydon took over the reigns of the association and began a rebuilding process that would take many years to achieve the success that we enjoy today. After many seminars, meetings and counseling events with investment executives, it was determined that over the years prior, the funds that were held by the Association were inadvertently invested and dispersed improperly thus putting the Association in danger of legal consequences. As Vice President Jim Kelly and Tresurer Bill Kresser spent time rearranging the investments, President Steve Lydon and Secretary Bill Hayes and member Mike Davis spent time in restructuring how funerals and events requiring the Honor Guard were conducted.

The President of the Association meets with the family of a retired or active member who has passed and assists with any decisions regarding the Fire Department’s presence at the wake and or funeral and offers any assistance that may be required, to the family in their time of loss.

In 1998 Ray Leblanc and Izzy Torres came on board as Secretary and Treasurer and the association has continued to prosper. President Lydon Appointed Ray Leblanc as “Captain” of the Honor Guard and Ray has put together teams that represent the Department both diligently and professionally.

The future of the Association will be determined by the involvement of its members, the continuation of proper investments and the sustained support by the Chief of the Department.