Richard Laurence Lacey, retired Fire Chief of Lawrence, MA, passed away on July 3rd at the age of 85. Born in Lawrence, Chief Lacey moved to Barefoot Bay, FL in 1981. He was a member of St. Lukes Catholic Church and previously served as a Eucharistic minister. He was a member of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, Lawrence Fire Department Mutual Relief Association, Massachusetts Permanent Firemens Association, New England Association of Fire Chiefs, VFW Post #4425, BPO Elks, Lawrence, MA Lodge #65, Knights of Columbus-Lawrence, MA, Council #67. He was also a member of the Mens Guild of St. Lukes, the Barefoot Bay Computer Club, Garden Club, Irish-American Club, Italian-American Club, Little Theater, the New England Club and Spinners and Twirlers Square Dancers.
Chief Lacey graduated with Great Distinction from Lawrence High School, class of 1941. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946, European Theater of Operations. He earned an Associates Degree in Fire Science at North Shore Community College in Beverly, MA. He joined the Lawrence Fire Department in 1948. He served as Fire Chief from 1975-1981. He was a First Aid Instructor for the Lawrence, MA Chapter of the American Red Cross for 30 years and on the Board of Directors for 6 years. He was the founder of the Lawrence Firefighters Credit Union and served as Treasurer and Manager of the Credit Union from 1955-1975. He also served as Radiological Defense Officer for the Lawrence Civil Defense Department and was an Instructor of Radiological Monitoring for the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Chief Lacey leaves his loving wife of 59 years, Rose Mary (Tuso) Lacey, two daughters, Linda of North Andover, MA and Janet of Penn Valley, PA, 4 grandchildren, sister Julie Cebula of Binghampton, NY and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Louise (Makowski) Lacey, 3 sisters and 6 brothers.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Patricks Church in Lawrence, MA at a later date. No calling hours are scheduled. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the William Childs Hospice House, 381 Medplex Parkway, Palm Bay, FL 32907 (tel: 321-434-8400).
Arrangements by Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Sebastian, FL. Condolences may be sent to Seawindsfh.com/obit.php