THOMAS NEVIN, JR.
Past President 1993-1994

Thomas Nevin, Jr. started his lifetime fire service career at the Glen Burnie Volunteer Fire Company as the mascot at the age of five in 1950. He had his own boots and went on parades and never missed the Saturday morning hose out at the station. Living across the street from the fire house and having a father who was a county engineman, gave him great access to his goal in the life of being a fireman. Tom is a Past Chief and President and has been an active responder since January 1961. After 50-years of service, he is still an active driver on the Tuesday duty crew. He became a Sergeant in 1963, Lieutenant in 1965, Captain in 1967, and his first Chief’s job in 1969. Tom was the company’s youngest Fire Chief at the age of 23. He remained Chief until 1971 when his new son and job caused a conflict with his busy schedule. As Chief in 1969 and early 1970, he was faced with a bar bombing as well as many fires in the local bars and restaurants. These were a unique learning experience for a young fire chief.

Tom continued as a pump operator for the next dozen years while working to earn his Master’s Degree in Management and Supervision. During the 1980’s, he taught Volunteer Fire Service Management at the National Fire Academy as a field instructor.

 Tom returned to the position of Chief in 1982 to revitalize the company. The company went from zero riding members to 88 riding members in 1994 when he retired as Chief. He was honored as Chief Emeritus and had Squad 33 dedicated to him at that time. He continued to serve and lead as company President from 1994 until 2006. After 12 years as Chief and 12 years as President, he became a Board Member and served until 2010. He now serves on the company’s financial committee. He was Glen Burnie’s Firefighter of the Year in 2000 and again in 2003. In June 2005, Chief Nevin was awarded $2500.00 for the fire company when the Sandy Spring Bank of Annapolis chose him as Firefighter of the Year.

Tom has been very active with the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association. He served as Sergeant at Arms in 1965.  He went through the chairs and became President of the organization in 1993. Under his leadership, he used his experience and knowledge with the Anne Arundel County Board of Education to help get the Vocational Technical Firefighter Cadet Program started. The program still flourishes today under the guidance of the Volunteer Coordinator. He has been a delegate to the association meetings for over 30-years. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees and is Chairman of the Hall and Fame committee. Tom has been a member of the Hall of Fame committee since its inception in 1997. He has previously served as chairman of the Training Committee and Firefighter of the Quarter. In 2000, he was inducted into the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Hall of Fame.

Tom attended his first Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) convention in1963 right after high school graduation. He first served the MSFA in 1967 as a member of President Joe Kelly’s Executive Committee under the mentorship of his friend, Johnny Boy Smith. Since that time, he has served on the Maryland State Training Committee and for the last 4-years he has worked with Chief Wylie Donaldson on the Convention Exhibits committee. After being a delegate for at least 30-years to the MSFA, Tom says the 5-days working with Wylie are the most challenging and most enjoyable he has ever experienced. Tom was inducted into the MSFA Hall of Fame in June 2011. He is also a life member of the Maryland Fire Chief’s Association.

Thomas “Big Tom” Nevin Jr. was born January 26, 1945, to the late Thomas Sr. and Ruth Nevin. Mr. Nevin was a lifelong resident of Glen Burnie. He worked as a Transportation Specialist for Anne Arundel County Public Schools and was instrumental in the Vocational Education Program which offers a Firefighter Cadet Program. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church. In his free time, he enjoyed playing and coaching softball and cheering on his grandchildren at their many sporting events. 

Mr. Nevin was well known for his 59 years of service to the Glen Burnie Volunteer Fire Department, where he was a former chief and the current sitting President. He joined the department at the age of 5 as the mascot and went on to be the company’s youngest fire chief at the age of 23. Mr. Nevin was named Glen Burnie’s firefighter of the year in 2000 and 2003. In 2005 he was chosen as Firefighter of the year by Sandy Spring Bank of Annapolis.

Mr. Nevin was also very active with the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association, formerly serving as sergeant of arms before working his way up to President of the Organization in 1993. In 2000, he was inducted into the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Hall of Fame. Currently serving as a Trustee.

He also served as a delegate for 30 years for the Maryland State Firefighters Association and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2011. Additionally, he was a life member of the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association.

Mr. Nevin enjoyed riding on Santa’s Sled for over 60 years on every Christmas Eve for the Glen Burnie Improvement Association. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Sharon Carter. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Deborah Nevin, children Thomas Nevin III and his wife Heidi, Brian Nevin and his wife Becky, step-children Jim Mullen and wife Amy, Michelle Pearce and husband Patrick, siblings Patricia Hagedorn, Barbara Gilbert, grandchildren Matthew, Rachel, Brian Jr., and Abby Nevin, Maggie, Patrick, Connor, and Shannon Mullen, Teagen and Dash Pearce. He is also survived by a host of loving relatives.

Thomas Nevin Jr. passed away on February 1, 2020, at Anne Arundel Medical Center. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him.