Michael C. Kucsma Jr, age 43, was a captain of the Portland Fire Department and a deputy chief of the Gorham Maine Fire Department in Maine.
Mike began his fire career as one of the first “live-in” students of the Gorham Fire Department in 1991. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science, he worked his way up the ranks of the Gorham Department while making Portland Fire Department his career.
Mike was passionate about the fire service. He created the Rapid Intervention Team training program for the state when he found a gap in this type of training. If superior training did not exist, he would create and refine a program until it did. He also wrote articles regarding rural firefighting for Firehouse Magazine and served on the board of directors for the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Work Group.
As much as Mike loved firefighting, he also put the same enthusiasm into his personal life. He was an avid fisherman and followed his dreams of fly fishing in Montana, bone fishing in the Bahamas, and salmon and trout fishing throughout Maine. Mike loved almost any activity that allowed him to be outside. He felt that Mother Nature created more beauty than humans ever could.
His two other priorities in life were traveling and rum. It started with a cruise to Bermuda to marry his best friend, Marcia. While there, he tried his first “Dark and Stormy.” From then on, he traveled to more than 17 islands in the Caribbean, some more than once, seeking out the best rum.
Mike is an amazing man with dedication, humor, drive to be the best, and just great to be around. He is desperately missed by his family, friends, and brothers and sisters of the fire service.
You along with many others are the reason I’m proud to be apart of this department. I was very young when I met you and remember bits and pieces of you. But I know the impact you made on this department and the hard work, dedication and sacrifices you made. So with that thank you to you and your family, Rest In Peace we’ve got it from here chief.
– Joseph M McGrail