Haraway retires after 26 years with the MFD

Jeff Ramsey and Stacy Haraway at Haraway’s retirement celebration on April 26. (RECORD PHOTO/ALDO AMATO)

By Aldo Amato

Staff Reporter

MADISON — After a 26-year run, Stacy Haraway said his goodbyes to his fellow firemen on April 26.

Haraway ,who was the Captain of Community Outreach, reflected on his two-decades with the Madison Fire Department at a retirement celebration at the headquarters on Mill Road.

“I got to do a lot for the community,” Haraway said. “We participated in a lot of events with charities and schools. Just a ton of great stuff so it’s been fun.”

Haraway comes from a lineage of Madison public servants. His brother Steve is the District 2 Commissioner for Madison County. However, Haraway said he joined the Madison Fire Department by pure coincidence.

“I had a couple of buddies get me into it,” he said. “I was hired in 1987 and built great relationships with some great guys and made some great friends.”

One of the things Haraway said the he will miss the most is serving is his relationships in community built during times of grief but also times of great joy.

“We got to know people in some not so great times but had a lot good moments in great situations,” he said. “Take for instance last year when we worked in the schools and partnered with charities. Teaching in the schools was a lot of fun.”

Friendships in the department might be what Haraway will miss the most he said.

“I’m going to miss the guys, all of them,” he said. “They’re my best friends and have been for the past 26 years and I’ll really miss them. But I have something else lined up in the future and I’m excited about new opportunities.”