Daniel Michael Contini

Daniel Michael Contini

On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, Former Palmer Fire Chief Daniel Michael Contini, Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 86 at Prestige Care in Anchorage, Alaska. Dan was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 1934, to Daniel and Thelma Contini. Dan was the loving husband of Enola (Lalle) Contini and father to 6 children.

Dan left his home in Pennsylvania shortly after his high school graduation in 1952 and was on his way to Alaska. He was soon employed at the Evan Jones Coal Co. When the mine closed in 1959, he moved to Palmer and spent the next 15 years working in sporting goods and management at Kolosky’s Department Store. In 1969 Dan joined the Palmer Volunteer Fire Department, and in 1974 he accepted a job with the City of Palmer as the first fulltime paid fire chief -a job that he loved. Dan was known for his work with school children teaching them about fire safety and giving fire truck rides to the kids as part of a reading program.

Dan was very community involved whether it was through Boy Scouts, Hunter Safety, or Fire Safety, and he served on boards and committees such as the Mat Su School Board.

After his retirement in 2008, Dan enjoyed going to his cabin on the Big Su named after his beloved Aunt Lizzie. There he created a place for his children and grandchildren to enjoy. He was always looking for a place to mow grass and had a fire burning outside. Dan was an avid collector of Boy Scout memorabilia, Coca-Cola products, firefighting memorabilia, and his beloved Mickey Mouse.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, Daniel, his mother, Thelma, and wife Lalle. He is survived by his children, Diane Hall, Danette Schloeder (John), Debbie Braun (Tim), Denise Contini, David Contini and Daniel W. Contini (Tiera); grandchildren, Katie (Trammell) Becker (Sean), Amy Contini, Hunter Stanfield, Cooper and McKinley Braun, Kyle, Gavin and Makayla Hall, and Carter, Chase and Colton Contini; great grandchildren, Emma and Eric Becker and Adley Tallant; brother, Albert Contini; sisters, Bonnie Dworksy, Lois Calendar, Madeline Contini, and Caroni Contini; along with several nieces and nephews.

A Fire Truck Procession will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021, starting at Pioneer Peak Elementary School, 1959 N. Stringfield Road, in Palmer at 10:30 AM and ending at the MTA Events Center, 1317 S Kerry Weiland Court (Across the street from Palmer Jr. Middle School), Palmer, AK 99645, where a Celebration of Life will be held starting at 11:00AM.

We invite you to share your stories of Dan at that time.

A private family burial will follow at the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery

In lieu of flowers donations are being accepted in Chief Daniel Contini’s name at:

Palmer Volunteer Fireman’s Association

645 Cope Industrial Way

Palmer, Alaska 99645.

A scholarship will be created for a Palmer High School senior in Chief Contini’s name.