John Deutchman

by Sheri Siraco

The definition of a hero: A firefighter hurt in the line of duty who would do it again if only he were able. John Deutchman was born on July 3, 1956 in Lowell, Massachusetts. He spent his childhood in a home on Fourth Street with his parents, his brother Orville, and his two sisters, Deb and Laura. He attended public schools in the city, Varnum, Green, and Robinson. As a child, he participated in most of the activities that today’s kids do – riding bikes and chasing his sisters when they stole his toys. One thing he did was unique from his friends though. He became infatuated with the fire department next door to his house. John fondly recalls chasing the fire trucks all over the city. He knew even then that public service was in his future.

When John became a teenager, his attention turned to sports. He played basketball, baseball, and football. He got a job at Tower Motors in Lowell as a Stock Clerk, which, because of his growing fondness for working on cars, gave him much satisfaction. In 1974, John took the first step toward his life of serving others – he joined the Army. He was stationed at many places throughout his tenure – Fort Jackson, Fort Knox, Fort Hood, and at Grafenwöhr in Germany. His time in the Army gave him valuable training as a tank mechanic. He left the military in 1977. It was time to follow his dream.

On Memorial Day, 1979, John went on a blind date with Kathy, a girl he had heard wonderful things about from his sister Laura. They went out dancing at a club in Nashua and had a great time together. From that point on, they became inseparable. Kathy brought a wonderful addition into their relationship, her daughter Jessica. John and Kathy were married on November 11, 1983, Veterans Day.

Now it was time for John to think of the future. He got a job as an assistant mechanic with the Lowell Fire Department, and through hard work and dedication, soon found himself to be a firefighter – right at the 4th Street Firehouse, the same station that possessed him as a boy. John fought many fires along with his crew. Some of the fires were well known, such as the Malden Mills fire, the School Street Bridge Fire, and the Commodore Ballroom fire. He remembers the first fire he battled that, sadly, included fatalities. John says his respected lieutenant and friend, Pelham resident Walter Kilbride, taught him valuable lessons about dealing with the emotions that accompany the job.

In 1984, a treasure was brought into John’s life – a daughter, Jennifer. Life went on smoothly until the workday on October 8, 1997. John’s shift started out busy but ordinary. At 3:31 in the afternoon, his crew was sent out to a fire at 341 Middlesex Street, the Gilmore Trust Building. The men were told there could be people trapped on the 6th floor. John went in. He soon found that there were no victims up there, but by this time he was trapped. He had to break through a small window with an axe to call for help. John vaguely remembers the helicopter ride into Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He does remember feeling at peace due mostly to the faith he had in the paramedics tending to him along the way. Doctor’s diagnosed him with 2nd and 3rd burns on his hands and face, and burns in his lungs, esophagus, and throat. John and his family feel blessed that he survived. This sad day marked the end of John’s career.

In 1998, John, Kathy, and Jen moved to Pelham. They picked this town because they wanted to be in a place that had land, great neighbors, good schools, and a country atmosphere. John now takes great joy in hobbies like gardening, which is his true passion, fishing, spending time with the family in their swimming pool, watching car racing, and visiting friends in the neighborhood. John especially enjoys the company of Russell Leonard. He says Leonard always has great stories to tell about the history of Pelham, and that he is a good man who doesn’t think twice about lending a helping hand when it is needed. When asked about other special friends in town, John speaks of Al Greenhalgh, a great man who was friends with his mom, and he fondly remembers Officer Dennis Lyons, a man he respected greatly and misses often.

John has always been very close to his family. He remembers his mother as being very caring and giving, and very sweet. His most vivid memory of his father is of him dressing up as Santa Claus at Christmas and entertaining all the children. John feels a great admiration toward his grandfather, Nelson Belanger. He was a role model for John – a man who truly "lived his life", was religious, and put a lot of effort into keeping his family together.

John and Kathy have been married for 21 years. He describes his greatest accomplishments as firstly, his wife and children, and secondly, his service in the military and the fire department. John says his proudest moments as a parent were watching his daughter Jen being delivered, and seeing her graduate from Pelham High School in 2003.

Remarkably, John says that some good came from the fire that ended his career – it was a step toward firefighters carrying radios and wearing safety ropes. If these precautions had been taken sooner, it may have prevented John’s injuries and also the tragedy in Worcester in 1999 that took the lives of six firefighters. This gear is now routinely carried by all firefighters when they respond to an alarm, which will undoubtedly save many lives in years to come.

John Deutchman is one of Pelham’s great unsung hero’s. He risked his life to save a stranger, something he says he would do in a second if he could just get some new lungs. When asked what he would like people to remember about him, John, in a justifiably proud voice, said, "I’m a guy that always tried his best; I served my country, Massachusetts, and the City of Lowell." Have you met John Deutchman?