Hooksett’s first full-time fire chief, Raymond James O’Brien, 70, died on Monday, Jan. 12, of cancer, surrounded by loved ones.

James Sullivan, currently a Hooksett School Board member, remembered O’Brien as a “nononsense” fire chief.

“Mr. O’Brien was fire chief when I was on the Town Council,” he said. “He was always very thorough in his budget preparation and would always be open to questions. He was direct and straight to the point.

I remember meeting with him at the old fire station on Coaker Avenue, and one time, while the offices were being re painted, he had his office set up out front on the lawn keeping to his business as usual.”

O’ Brien was born May 14, 1938, to James Frances and Esther Aline (Lang) O’Brien in Hooksett, where he lived most of his life.

He was educated in the Hooksett and Manchester school systems, graduating from Manchester Central High School in 1956. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and, while stationed at Suffolk Air Base in West Hampton, Long Island, was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for saving two children who were being swept out to sea. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, he attended the University of New Hampshire. He was employed at Rockingham Park, Suffolk Downs and Wonderland as an auditor in the money room for 20 years.

He then pursued his passion for the fire service as a profession by becoming a firefighter with the Hooksett Fire Department where he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the town’s first full-time fire chief in 1987. He is credited with improving equipment, staffing and training during his 20 years until his retirement.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years Lynne (Fogg) O’Brien of Hooksett; a son, Sean Patrick, and wife, Amy Denise (Wheeler) O’Brien of Canterbury; and his grandchildren, Aiden Patrick and Karleigh Morgan O’Brien of Canterbury. He also leaves his longtime friend, Donna Rae (Hebert) Amato also of Hooksett. He was predeceased by his first wife, Judith Ellen (Farley) O’Brien.

A wake will take place Friday, Jan. 16, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Petit Funeral Home, 167 Main St., Pembroke. Burial at the New Hampshire Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen will take place at a later date.