MARION — Long-time firefighter Thomas Nye, who died after responding to a chimney fire in February, will have a memorial in town. 

Nye served as a volunteer firefighter in Marion for 45 years. A Vietnam veteran, he worked as an automotive mechanic in both his military and civilian careers. He responded to a chimney fire on Tuesday, Feb. 26 and collapsed early Wednesday, Feb. 27. 

Town Administrator Jay McGrail brought the memorial up as part of his Town Administrator’s report at a June 4 Selectmen’s meeting. He recently received word from Marion’s insurance company that the town will get $5,000 toward a memorial for Nye.

“It was a benefit that we didn’t know we had as part of our insurance,” McGrail said. He also said the payment was a “great opportunity to memorialize a tragic situation.”

McGrail will work with the Marion Firefighter’s Association on the planning and designs for the memorial.