Former Cary Chief, Lester Macko, Dies at 81

Lester F. Macko, retired Chief of the Cary Fire Protection District passed away Jan. 12. Macko joined the department in 1963, served for more than 37 years and ended his career in 2000.

Born on Sept. 2, 1930, Macko was a life-long resident of Cary and Fox River Grove areas. He was a carpenter by trade and co-owned Macko Brothers Construction with his brother Carl for several years. Macko served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Macko became an on-call firefighter for the department in 1963. After learning the ropes of firefighting, Macko was promoted to 2nd lieutenant in May 1966. He quickly moved through the ranks of 1st lieutenant and captain and in May 1975, he was appointed Fire Chief. Macko served on a voluntary basis for more than 20 years and became the department’s first salaried Fire Chief in 1996.

He is survived by three daughters Ann, Leslie and Carlene, a son Jeffery, three granddaughters, Amy, Kayla, and Stephanie, two grandsons, Carl and Jeff, three great grandchildren, and his sister Doris. Macko is preceded in death by his wife Pat and his son Steven.

A wake will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 17 between 3 and 9 p.m. at the Living Grace Community Church, 1500 Silver Lake Rd, Cary. A fire department walk-through will be held at 7 p.m.

Funeral arrangements and service will begin at 11 a.m., Jan. 18 at Living Grace Community Church.

Chief Jeffery Macko will be honored with a full fire department funeral service; however, there will be no funeral procession. Fire departments that plan to attend are advised to only send staff cars.

Information provided by Cary Fire Protection District Lieutenant Michael Douglass