Capt. Daniel C. Nolan 29 July 1962 – 1 March 2024
July 29, 1962 – March 1, 2024
Daniel C. Nolan, 61, of Waterford, CT, passed away unexpectedly on March 1, 2024. Born in Hartford, CT, on July 29, 1962, Dan grew up in Windsor, CT, where he graduated from Windsor High School in 1980. His journey of service began immediately after high school when he joined the Army National Guard, dedicating 38 years to his country. Dan started as an enlisted soldier and rose to the rank of Captain after excelling in Officer Candidate School. His military career saw him deployed to Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan, earning commendations like the Combat Action Badge and the Bronze Star.
Dan’s military service was marked by his dedication and bravery. While in Iraq from 2006 to 2007, he conducted route clearance missions with the 130th Combat Engineer Battalion, ensuring the safety of the streets of Baghdad. From 2011 to 2012, he led the 246th Fire Fighting Detachment at Forward Operating Base Apache in Kabul, Afghanistan, completing over 300 missions. Dan’s community outreach during deployments, where he organized the provision of food, clothing, and toys to local villagers, highlighted his compassion and leadership.
Parallel to his military service, Dan had a distinguished career with the Hartford Fire Department, starting in 1984 and retiring as Deputy Chief of Training in 2017. His commitment to public safety saw him at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks and involved in numerous firefighter associations, including the Hartford Fire Department Emerald Society and the Hartford Firefighters Retirees Association. He was deeply involved in the Irish American Home Society, serving as Vice President and contributing to the Irish History Committee and the Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade.