In Remembrance - Chief John W. “Jack” Hartley

At 10 a.m. this morning, family, friends, and the entire fire and rescue community will gather to pay their respects and say goodbye to an incredible man - Chief  “Jack” Hartley.

If you will be in and around the Bethesda and Rockville corridor later this morning through the afternoon, be aware that traffic may be heavy due to the services associated with laying to rest a man who served his country in World War II, and his community for 66 years as a member of the Bethesda Chevy-Chase Rescue Squad.

Rest in Peace Chief!

Chief John W. “Jack” Hartley

On Thursday, April 28, 2016 John W. Hartley of Montgomery Village, MD died at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD. Jack was the son of the late William J. Hartley and Freida L. Nedermeier. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and many beloved friends.

Jack was born on September 23, 1926 in Bethesda, MD. He was a lifelong Montgomery County resident, a World War II veteran where he served in the Pacific Theatre, and a 66 year veteran of the Bethesda Chevy-Chase Rescue Squad.

He joined the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in 1949 and quickly rose in the ranks. He became a sergeant in 1951, and assumed every rank the squad had, becoming Chief in 1974.

Over the course of 66 years, Jack faithfully served the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad and the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, and, most notably the Bethesda-Chevy Chase communities at-large. During his extraordinary length of volunteer service, he assumed many operational ranks and elected positions, chaired and served on numerous committees, acted as a delegate to the Maryland State Fireman’s Association and the Montgomery County Volunteer Association. Since 1949, Jack oversaw both the design and maintenance of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase headquarters and its apparatus fleet of rescue squads and ambulances. He served for over 30 years on its Board of Directors.  For many years, he selflessly assisted neighboring fire and rescue departments with mechanical knowledge and volunteering to work on heavy duty apparatus.

His lifelong devotion to the fire and rescue community is unparalleled and epitomizes the term “continuous and faithful service.” Jack’s love for and influence on his family, friends, and the entire Fire and Rescue community will be remembered and greatly missed.

The family will receive friends at the Bethesda Chevy-Chase Rescue Squad, 5020 Battery Lane, Bethesda, MD on Thursday, May 5, from 6pm-9pm, where a service will be held on Friday, May 6 at 10 a.m. Internment at Parklawn Memorial Park, Rockville, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethesda Chevy-Chase Rescue Squad at the above address.