Former Milford Firefighter, Health Board Member Dies At 81

MILFORD, MA — Former Milford firefighters and 46-year member of the Board of Health Gerald Hennessy died on Christmas Eve, according to the town.

Hennessy, 81, joined the Board of Health in April 1973 and served until April 2019. He was also a 25-year member of the Milford Retirement Board, an at-large Milford Town Meeting Member and the town Sealer of Weights and Measurements, according to his obituary.

Hennessy worked as a firefighter for 39 years at the fire headquarters along Main Street.

On the Board of Health, Hennessy helped oversee several major initiatives, including when the town in 2016 raised the age to buy tobacco to 21, and the creation of Plains Park where a landfill once stood. He chose not to run for reelection in 2019.

"We are forever grateful for your wisdom, guidance and generous commitment of time, support and dedication during your 46 years of serving the Milford Community as a member of the Milford Board of Health," the Milford Board of Health said in a Facebook post. "We are all better because of your efforts."