Woolwich fireman’s service in Wiscasset
Woolwich Deputy Fire Chief Domenic Maccio presents one of fellow firefighter Jason “Skippy” Simpson’s helmets to Simpson’s children at a memorial service in Wiscasset High School’s Stover Auditorium on Feb. 21. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Retired Woolwich Deputy Fire Chief Phil Skillin rings a bell at a memorial service at Wiscasset High School on Saturday, for Woolwich Fire Department Safety Officer Jason Simpson of Wiscasset. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
A Bath Fire Department ladder truck, left, and Wiscasset Fire Department’s cross ladders near the exit of the Wiscasset High School parking lot on Feb. 21. The school, which Woolwich Fire Department Safety Officer Jason Simpson graduated from in 1993, was the site of Saturday’s memorial service and celebration of life for the Wiscasset man. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Woolwich Fire Department Safety Officer Jason Simpson’s gear sits on display prior to the start of a memorial service for the Wiscasset man on Feb. 21 at Wiscasset High School. The helmet and others that Simpson wore during his 25 years with the department were presented to his children during Saturday’s service. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Woolwich Deputy Fire Chief Domenic Maccio presents one of fellow firefighter Jason “Skippy” Simpson’s helmets to Simpson’s children at a memorial service in Wiscasset High School’s Stover Auditorium on Feb. 21. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Retired Woolwich Deputy Fire Chief Phil Skillin rings a bell at a memorial service at Wiscasset High School on Saturday, for Woolwich Fire Department Safety Officer Jason Simpson of Wiscasset. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
A Bath Fire Department ladder truck, left, and Wiscasset Fire Department’s cross ladders near the exit of the Wiscasset High School parking lot on Feb. 21. The school, which Woolwich Fire Department Safety Officer Jason Simpson graduated from in 1993, was the site of Saturday’s memorial service and celebration of life for the Wiscasset man. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Woolwich Fire Department Safety Officer Jason Simpson’s gear sits on display prior to the start of a memorial service for the Wiscasset man on Feb. 21 at Wiscasset High School. The helmet and others that Simpson wore during his 25 years with the department were presented to his children during Saturday’s service. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
Representatives of Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office and several other public safety agencies turned out at Wiscasset High School on Feb. 21 to honor the memory of Wiscasset’s Jason “Skippy” Simpson, 40, a 25-year member of Woolwich Fire Department.
Wiscasset Fire Department lent its ladder truck to cross ladders with Bath’s, near the exit of the parking lot of the school Simpson graduated from in 1993.
Uniformed fire personnel with American and firefighter flags and fire axes led a procession into Stover Auditorium.
Simpson’s three children received helmets their father wore during his service with the department; retired Woolwich deputy fire chief Phil Skillin rang a bell, with the rings signifying Simpson’s number on the department, 616.
Woolwich Fire Chief Geoffrey McCarren recalled the empty Dunkin’ Donuts box Simpson once left on a track where members of the department were going for a walk. The box came with the message, “Thinking of you,” said McCarren, who also noted a text he once received, with a photograph of a flare being held near his truck. Simpson was holding the flare, and later could be heard laughing when McCarren called a fellow firefighter to ask about the photo.
“Whenever I think of Jason, I think of happiness,” the chief told those gathered in the gym Saturday. “He was always happy ... I will never forget you, Jason.”
Leading the service, Wally Staples, of Woolwich rescue and Edgecomb fire departments, said Simpson brought a wonderful group spirit to the Woolwich Fire Department, and had a passion for bringing joy. “He made a huge mark (and was) a real man, highly regarded...”
Simpson’s father Michael Simpson said that when his son was very young, he referred to his parents as Mike and Annette. He outgrew that, but never outgrew wanting to be a fireman, Michael Simpson said.
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