It is with deep sadness that Watertown Battalion Fire Chief, David Lachenauer; (Ret.) has lost his yearlong battle with cancer that has been attributed to his working at the 911 site in NYC on September 11 and 12, 2001. David and his fellow classmates from First Line Supervisor Training Program were assembled and assigned to aid other responders in the immediate hours after terrorists had attacked the World Trade Center Towers. Battalion Chief Lachenauer proudly served the citizens of Watertown for nearly 33 years, with an initial appointment date as a Firefighter on April 29, 1985 and his disability retirement date of March 6, 2018. Chief Lachenauer is a second generation Firefighter with the department with both his father, Chief of the Department, George and brother Captain Edward serving the community of Watertown dating back to 1942.
Services are being coordinated with the Hart and Bruce Funeral Home, 117 North Massey Street, with calling hours scheduled for Monday, March 26, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, 123 South Massey Street, Watertown at 10am on Tuesday, March 27. Uniform personnel will be walking, Irish Wake Style, from the funeral home to the Church. There is a spring burial planned, and therefore there will be no procession and no need for fellow responders who plan on attending the service to bring fire apparatus.
David is survived by his wife, Cindy and three grown children.
The Watertown Fire Department wish to express thanks to those agencies who have either offered or provided assistance to us while the department mourns the loss of your brother.