By Roree Payment
Earlier this week, two Clearview firefighters with 82 combined years of service, went home in the fire truck for the last time.
Captain Jim McCarthy and firefighter John Lemmon, who each served for 41 years, retired on May 26. Both were members of Clearview Fire Department Station 4 in Creemore.
Jim spent over half his career as a Captain, first with the Creemore Fire Department, which became part of Clearview Fire and Emergency Services. Jim provided great leadership and mentorship through the years, and was supported by his wife, Sheila, and their daughters, Angela and Melissa, throughout his career.
John spent more than 40 years as a member of the Creemore/Clearview Fire and Emergency Services. He was able to work with both his sons – Matt, who is still in active service at Station 4 in Creemore, and Dan, who is a retired Station 4 member. John was supported by his wife, Darlene. Johns’s father, Jack, also had roots in the Creemore Fire Department, dispatching calls and alerting the firefighters by sounding the siren atop the old municipal building.
As someone who worked with these two since the start of my career, I can say it was an honor to serve with such professional men. Acting Chief Colin Shewell and I wish them the best and appreciate all service.
Roree Payment is Clearview’s Acting Deputy Fire Chief.
Pictured on home page (left to right): Captain Ed VanSeveren, Captain Jim McCarthy, Acting Deputy Fire Chief Roree Payment and Lieutenant Brad Feteke.