The Orange Volunteer Fire Department announced the passing of one of its dedicated members, Kenneth Mitchell, at the age of 71.
A former captain of the department, Mitchell passed away on Tuesday after experiencing a medical emergency while driving on Route 1 in Orange. Recently, he had been honored for his remarkable 50 years of service to the department.
“Kenny was a firefighter’s firefighter,” said the fire chief. “He remained actively involved in the Orange department and also served with the departments in Ansonia and Derby.
He contributed significantly to various organizations that train firefighters and develop practices that have elevated Connecticut’s fire departments to a high standard. His loss will be felt both professionally and personally.”
Mitchell, a second-generation firefighter, joined the Orange Volunteer Fire Department on October 11, 1973, and rose to the rank of captain. He chaired the Carnival Committee, served as a training officer, and was a member of the apparatus specification committee, which helped introduce the department’s first ladder truck in 1996.
He also served as a past captain of the Webster Hose, Hook, and Ladder Company #3 of Ansonia and a past chief driver for the Paugassett Hook and Ladder Company #4 in Derby.
He was the current president of the Valley Fire Chiefs Association, chair of the Fire School Board of Directors, past vice president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, and a longtime member of the New Haven County Chiefs Association.
Mitchell was instrumental in modernizing fire training in Orange and the Lower Naugatuck Valley. He helped create rules that allowed Orange to maintain a full roster of volunteers by including some out-of-town firefighters and contributed to other innovations that kept the Orange department in peak readiness. He was also known as a mentor to younger firefighters.
Beyond his service to the fire department, Mitchell was an active member of the Orange community. He served as a supernumerary police officer and a school bus driver and was involved in several local service organizations.
Mitchell is survived by his wife, Kim; his son, Kenneth III; his daughter, Kara; and his mother, Jean. He also leaves behind several grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father, Past Orange Fire Chief Ken Mitchell Sr.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Spinelli-Ricciuti Funeral Home, 62 Beaver St., Ansonia. Calling hours will be on Monday evening, with the funeral on Tuesday at the Orange Congregational Church, followed by a burial at the Orange Center Cemetery. The repass will be held at Racebrook Country Club immediately following the graveside services.
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