Robert Donald Decotis

Robert Donald DeCotis, retired Manchester, New Hampshire, Fire Chief, passed away Sunday, December 31, age 83, in Tangerine Woods, Englewood, Florida. He was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, February 5, 1940, the son of Rita (Jutras) and Donald F. DeCotis. He attended St. Raphael’s School and was a 1958 graduate of Manchester West High School where he was class Vice President. Bob was an exceptional athlete who was selected to both his Little League and his Babe Ruth League (2 years) All Star teams. In high school, he ran track and lettered in football, baseball, and basketball (team captain) under coach Woody Stone. He scored 33 points in a basketball game against Portsmouth High School, a record which stood for over 45 years. He was voted “Most Athletic” by his high school classmates.

Mr. DeCotis played baseball for Manchester Post 79, American Legion, and played for both the Turner Hall and the United Shoe Workers Union softball teams which won several Manchester City Championships. He later played semi-pro baseball for the Jacksonville Navy Flyers, travelling up and down the East Coast. His participation in sports provided him with lifelong positive relationships and enduring joy. Upon graduation from high school, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he earned Top Secret clearance in the field of Security and Corrections. He was very proud to have performed his four years of service to his country, culminating in his Honorable Discharge.

In 1965, Robert was selected for the Manchester Fire Department where he worked his way up through the ranks until achieving the position of Chief of Department in 1987. He served as Fire Chief for over seven years, until his retirement in 1994. He was also appointed Manchester’s first Emergency Management Preparedness Director and was a member of the National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management.

During his lifetime, Bob received numerous awards and decorations, both in the Marine Corps and from the Fire Department. His most cherished decoration was the Paul Sypek Medal for Valor awarded to him by the New Hampshire Fire Service Committee of Merit, citing his heroic behavior in the face of great personal danger. Robert was presented the key to the City of Manchester by mayors Beaulieu and Wiecozorek and his acquisition of the first Hazmat Heavy Rescue Truck for Manchester is a legacy that all citizens of the city still benefit from today.

Chief DeCotis attended the University of New Hampshire, is an alumnus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he earned certification in Command and Control of Major Incidents, and was a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician. He held memberships in the Manchester Professional Firefighters Association, the New Hampshire State Permanent Firefighters Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Professional Firefighters Relief Association, and the Fire Committee of Merit Board of Directors. Bob was also a life member of the New Hampshire Fire Chiefs Association, the New England Association of Fire Chiefs, the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association, and the Manchester Alpine Club.

Robert and his wife Shirley (Thibeault-Smith) retired to Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, in summer and Englewood, Florida, in winter. In Florida, he served as Vice President and Acting President of the Board of Directors for the Tangerine Woods Homeowners Association. He loved the life that he and Shirl had created in Florida and valued his community of friends and family. Bob especially enjoyed golf, watching the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, and socializing.

Bob DeCotis will be well-remembered by those blessed to have known him. He left us a message: “To all the dear friends who have given me a lifetime of memories, don’t be sad for me, as we will meet again someday.

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,

I’m following the path God has laid, you see.

I took his hand when I heard Him call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, to play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I found that peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Oh yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much,

Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and peace to thee,

God wanted me now; He set me free.

--Author unknown

---- until we meet again.”

In addition to his wife, Shirley, Bob is survived by his step-daughter Laureen and her husband Glenn Jette, step-son Daren Smith, daughter in law Pamela Smith, and step-son Brian Smith, as well as by two step-grandsons, Ryan Jette and Samuel Smith. Mr. DeCotis was immensely proud of his family, his military service, and his devotion to the City of Manchester. His close friends and fellow firefighters paid tribute to Bob at his retirement, saying, “He was always decisive, his generous, thoughtful spirit was inspirational to everyone who knew him, and he will be missed.”

Bob, your generous, thoughtful spirit was inspirational! .... And you will be missed!

The Connor-Healy Funeral Home, Manchester, New Hampshire, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Raphael’s Food Pantry and Hope Chest, 103 Walker St., Manchester, NH 03102

Local Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Englewood, Florida.