EAST HAVEN, CT —He bravely fought in Vietnam. And then came home to bravely fight fires, and save lives, in New Haven.
Late last month, the U.S. Marine Corps combat war hero and decorated Elm City firefighter, Thomas D. Shanley, died alone in his home in Guilford. With no family, his body was taken to the State Office of the Chief Examiner, where he’s lain, unclaimed.
But when firefighter “brothers” learned of his passing, there was immediate action to bring their 78-year-old firefighter brother and military veteran home to New Haven for a funeral with honor.
Shanley’s firefighter colleagues reached out to the owners of the East Haven Memorial Funeral Home to locate their brother’s remains, and to ask for them to help with services. There’d be little doubt that co-owner Joe Deko, himself a firefighter, and co-owner James Integlia, whose father is the late NHFD Capt. Billy Integlia, and whose grandfathers were also NHFD, would rise to the occasion.
“We sprung into action,” Deko said. “The firefighter brotherhood is strong. He’s our brother. We wanted to do this at cost to get him properly buried.”
The New Haven Firemen’s Benevolent Association, which is footing the “at cost” funeral home bill, posted to Facebook about Shanley’s service. It noted that, “The East Haven Memorial Funeral Home has gone above and beyond in coordinating to properly honor and ensure FF Thomas Shanley is buried with honor and dignity.”
New Haven Fire Department Assistant Chief of Operations Daniel Coughlin, whose father firefighter father William joined the department with Shanley in 1970, said that a number of retired firefighters had heard perhaps that Shanley had passed away. Alone.
“When you’re in this, you’re in this for life. It doesn’t sit right with us to have a brother die alone,” Coughlin said. “When we heard he had no family, the chief’s office reached out to the Firemen’s Benevolent Association, and they stepped right up. That goes to show you what this job’s about.”
Deko said that Shanley, a “highly decorated Vietnam veteran and highly decorated New Haven firefighter with commendations including for when he saved the life of a fire victim in cardiac arrest, deserves the right send off.”
His funeral will include a Patriot Guard motorcycle escort from East Haven to Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven, an honor guard from NHFD American Legion Post #132 —specially for New Haven firefighters who are also veterans —and a US Marines full military ceremony. He will be buried in the New Haven Fire Department Benevolent Association section, Fireman’s Monument, of the cemetery. Former NHFD fire chief Marty O’Connor will officiate the service, Deko said.
East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora said when he learned that East Haven Memorial Funeral Home would be providing services for Shanley, he was “not surprised.”
“Joe and James always go above and beyond and that they’re providing funeral services for a firefighter and war hero is very much in keeping with their practice of giving back and doing all they can,” he said.
Carfora added that he was “very moved” by Shanley’s story, as his son is a military veteran.
“Reaching out to veterans and supporting them in any way I can has always been important to me. This gentleman is a war hero. That touched me, and I know residents of East Haven, Guilford, and New Haven, where he was a decorated firefighter, will also be moved by his story.”
Here is Thomas Shanley’s full obituary courtesy of East Haven Memorial Funeral Home:
Thomas D. Shanley 78, of Guilford, formerly of New Haven died at home on March 28, 2023. Tom was born on August 25, 1944 and brought up in the Goatville neighborhood of New Haven. He played in the Eddie Sheehan Little League—the first established Little League in New Haven in the 1950s. He was a three-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam War, seeing major combat.
Tom joined the New Haven Fire Department on July 1, 1970 and was assigned to Engine Company 3 on Elm Street, the busiest Engine company in the city. He was re-assigned to the Lombard Street Station in Fair Haven and for two decades he saw action with Engine Company 10, Engine Company 7 and Tactical Unit 2. He was then reassigned to Engine Company 17 in Fair Haven Heights, retiring on July 17, 1991.
Tom was commended by the Board of Fire Commissioners in 1986 for saving the life of a fire victim to whom he provided successful CPR to.
He was a proud member of the New Haven Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters local 825. While active, he was a member of the NHFD American Legion Post 132.
Tom will be laid to rest among many other heroic and iconic brother firefighters in Evergreen Cemetery, the New Haven Fire Department Benevolent Association Section, will full military and fire department honors on Tuesday, April 18 at 11 a.m.
Firefighters, veterans, and all who knew him or would like to pay respects are encouraged to assemble at the main gates of the cemetery 769 Ella T. Grasso Blvd. in New Haven, by 10:45 a.m., for a procession to the grave site. East Haven Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with his arrangements.
The New Haven Firemen’s Benevolent Association said that following the services, there will be a gathering at the Elks Lodge at 80 Old Broadway, in North Haven, open to all active and retired members.