#MiddleburyCT #MVFD
Professional engineer and public servant
John Joseph “Jack” Proulx Jr, 81, of Middlebury, passed away peacefully on Friday July 4, 2025, at Waterbury Hospital in the presence of his loving family. He was the loving husband of Linda (Fradette) Proulx.
Jack was born in Waterbury on March 26, 1944, son of the late John Joseph “Joe” and Lucy (Herr) Proulx Sr. He graduated from Woodbury High School Class of 1962. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Haven. He started his professional engineering career at Anaconda American Brass, then moved to the State Fire Marshal’s office and worked as a fire inspector before landing his dream job at The Metropolitan District (MDC) in Hartford.
He started with the Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department as a teenager in the Junior Firefighter (CD) corps and held different officer positions throughout his time as firefighter. Jack became Middlebury’s fire marshal and fire chief from 1978 to 1986. In 1986, Jack elected to remain as fire marshal and held this position until 2022, when he stepped down to become deputy fire marshal and fully retired from public service in 2024. Jack dedicated over 65 years of service to the Town of Middlebury through the fire department, committees and boards that he gladly served on. Additionally, Jack proudly served his country in the Connecticut Army National Guard.
With his professional engineering background and knowledge of water systems, he assisted the Town of Middlebury in designing, developing and growing the domestic water and hydrant system that exists today. He also volunteered with St. Vincent DePaul, driving the mobile assistance van. Jack loved racing and was an avid vintage race car driver. He built three open-wheel race cars with two of them dubbed “#5.” He raced for several years at the Plainville Stadium where he took home the rookie-of-the-year trophy and did this with support from close friends. For those who knew Jack you may recall seeing him driving around town in his red pickup truck with his faithful and beloved canine companion, Mocha, in the back window.
Besides his wife, Linda, of 56 years, Jack leaves to honor and cherish his memory, a son, Brian E. Proulx and wife Lara of Middlebury; a daughter, Deanna L. Proulx of Middlebury; a brother, Richard Proulx and wife Catherine “Angela” of Hollywood, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Betty Proulx of Pittsburg, Penn.; and four grandchildren, Sabrina Proulx, Aurora Proulx, Jordan Sepelak and Micaela Sepelak. He was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas E. Proulx and infant Francis Proulx.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Brookside Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home & Crematory at 200 Benson Road in Middlebury. Burial will follow in Lake Elise Cemetery in Middlebury. Calling hours will be Wednesday evening, July 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Jack’s memory to Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department, 65 Tucker Hill Road, Middlebury, CT 06762
For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.brooksidememorial.com.
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