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Richard J. Macmillan, 71

By contributor,
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Richard “Rick” Macmillan, 71, of Hopkinton, passed away on Monday January 22, 2018 after battling ALS. A lifelong resident of Hopkinton, he was the son of the late Virginia (Robbins) and Robert Macmillan.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer (Brandley) Macmillan of Eureka, KS, son, Christopher and his wife Cindy of Acton, MA. He also leaves behind a brother, Robert of East Boothbay, ME, a sister Kim of Dresden, ME and 2 granddaughters Julie and Ryann.
A Veteran of the US Army, Rick had worked 35 years with the Hopkinton Fire Department. Rick joined the department as an auxiliary/call firefighter in 1962. He worked himself up through the ranks and then in 1988 he was appointed chief of the department. Always progressive during his career, he was an avid proponent of EMS, fire safety and education (including the elderly and mentally disabled communities) and fire code enforcement. He was also a strong advocate for continued fire service training and education, instructing on the local, state and national levels.
Throughout his lifetime in Hopkinton, he was an active member of the community. A member of the John Warren Masonic Lodge and American Legion Post 202. In retirement he served as the election warden working with the election committee for all town elections. Throughout the years, he was quick to open his home in hosting the marathon lead vehicle team each year.
Friends of Rick, knew his fondness for Boothbay, ME and could find him there every summer with his wife at their beloved family camp, where he was happiest feeding the hummingbirds, puttering, or improving things around the camp.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 28, from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton, 57 Hayden Rowe St. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com. A memorial service and burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to the Hopkinton Ambulance Fund, 73 Main St. Hopkinton, MA 01748 or to the ALS Association of Massachusetts, 685 Canton St. Suite 103, Norwood, MA 02062 www.als-ma/org