BIOGRAPHY

Born on January 1, 1909 in Portland, Maine.

On October 17, 1938, John was appointed to the department with Badge #100 and assigned to Engine 5 at Central Station, then at Engine 4 on Spring Street, which was also the quarters of District 1.  Private Tolan was promoted to Lieutenant on April 21, 1943 at Engine 4 with Badge #16, and later reassigned

To Ladder 3 at 163 Brackett Street.  His badge # was changed to Badge #11 in 1946.

On January 6, 1949, Lieutenant Tolan was promoted to Captain, Badge #26, at Engine 2, Munjoy Hill, then Ladder 5 at Central Station with Badge #10.  He transferred to Engine 6 at 295 Park Avenue in 1955.

On August 27th, 1956, at 9:38 AM, two-alarms were struck for a fire at 96 Highland Street in the 153-year old wood-frame house of L.C. Andrews (formerly John M. Adams).  The fire spread quickly up to the third floor attic and into a cupola, consuming a large section of the roof.  After working on the second-floor with his crew, Captain Tolan came outside twice for air.  The second time, while sitting down and being given oxygen, he collapsed, and was taken to Mercy hospital.

On arrival at the hospital, Captain Tolan, age 47, died of a heart ailment, aggravated by smoke inhalation and asphyxia.  He was survived by his wife Florence and his two sons John J. and Edward. 

Captain Tolan was buried in Calvary Cemetery, St. Anthony Section, 295, at St. Paul’s walk.