LYNN — For Lynn’s Don Castle, memories of former Lynn Fire Chief Curtis T. Numberg stretch back nearly four decades — years filled with conversations at firehouses, afternoons on the water, and lessons about honesty, loyalty, and service.
“I never had a father growing up,” Castle said. “Curt was an older guy who was just good to me. He taught me how to be a good person.”
Numberg, who passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 28, 2022, at age 73 in Punta Gorda, Florida, left behind a long record of military and public service that shaped generations of firefighters and residents in Lynn.
Born and raised in Lynn, Numberg attended Lynn Public Schools, graduated from Lynn English High School in 1967, and later attended Salem State College. Shortly after high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a combat medic during the Vietnam War after first being stationed in Berlin, Germany, during the Cold War.
Castle said Numberg rarely discussed Vietnam, despite the impact it had on his life.
“A lot of Vietnam vets don’t talk about it,” Castle said. “But he was a medic over there, and medics had the hardest job because they saw everybody who was badly injured.”
In a recent trip to the Lynn Fire Department on Western Avenue, Castle donated Numberg’s service accolades, including badges and a fire helmet, to the fire department and the Lynn Veterans Council, to honor and preserve Numberg’s legacy.
According to Lynn Veteran Council President Wayne Johnson, Numberg’s military honors included the Combat Medic Badge, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, and Army of Occupation Medal. Johnson recently helped receive and preserve Numberg’s military memorabilia on behalf of the Lynn Veteran Council.
“It’s always good to honor veterans,” Johnson said. “That’s what we’re here for: to take care of veterans and honor veterans, especially him. He’s a Vietnam vet, and a lot of Vietnam vets were forgotten.”
Johnson noted that Numberg’s shadow box included overseas service bars representing a full year spent in combat in Vietnam.
“Each one of those represents six months in combat,” Johnson said. “So he served a total of one year in Vietnam.”
After returning home, Numberg joined the Lynn Fire Department in 1972. He rose rapidly through the ranks — lieutenant in 1976, captain in 1978, district chief in 1982, and fire chief in 1988 at just 38 years old, becoming the youngest chief in department history.
Castle said Numberg earned respect because he always looked out for firefighters first.
“He always worried about his guys and making sure he was doing the right thing for the firefighters,” Castle said.
During his 15 years as chief, Numberg fought to maintain staffing levels, protect rescue services, and keep neighborhood firehouses operating during difficult budget years for the city.
“He always fought to keep the firehouses open,” Castle said. “Making sure the rescue squads stayed operating was really important to him.”
Castle also remembered Numberg’s generosity and sense of humor. The two spent time boating together from Seaport Marina on the Lynnway, and Castle often visited Numberg at his home for dinner.
“He was a phenomenal cook,” Castle said. “A lot of firefighters are really good cooks. He taught me a lot about cooking and life.”
One story, Castle said, captured Numberg’s leadership style perfectly. After the department purchased a newer vehicle for the chief, Numberg handed it over to a district chief working daily in the field and continued driving an older car himself.
“He gave the newer car to the chiefs who were out on the street every day,” Castle recalled. “That was the kind of guy he was.”
Even after retiring in 2002 and relocating to Florida with his wife, Coleen, Numberg remained closely connected to Lynn and the people he cared about.
“He loved Lynn,” Castle said. “He was a true-blue Lynner.”
Today, parts of Numberg’s legacy are being preserved by the organizations he valued most. His firefighting memorabilia has been entrusted to the Lynn Fire Department, while his military medals and Vietnam memorabilia were donated to local veterans organizations.
For Castle, however, the memories that matter most are simpler ones — conversations, friendship, and the example Numberg set over many years.
“Always tell the truth. Always be a good person, because all you have is who you are and what you say,” Castle said, recalling one of Numberg’s favorite lessons.
