Watertown firefighter retires Saturday after 32 years on the job.

Clarence R. Clemons, a Watertown city firefighter for 32 years, put in his last day on the job Tuesday at the Mill Street station. Today, he officially retires.

Mr. Clemons, 62, who joined the department on Jan. 9, 1978, has received several letters of commendation during his career. He was cited particularly for his efforts at fire scenes in 1983 and 1989.

In the earlier incident, on July 16, 1983, he carried an unconscious 18-year-old man down a flight of stairs from a bedroom fire at 754 Cleveland St. The victim was revived outdoors. He was also recognized for his outstanding performance at the December 1989 Midtown Towers fire, which initially claimed three lives. Two subsequent deaths also were attributed to the blaze.

“Those of us who have worked with him will miss his kind personality, sense of humor and his willingness to take fresh firefighters under his wing to impart his wisdom and experience,” Capt. Todd R. DeMar said. “To us, he has been much more than a co-worker. He has been a friend, confidant and capable firefighter who looked out for his brothers.”

Mr. Clemons “could always be located at the center of the most difficult emergency situations,” the captain said.

Mr. Clemons, a 1968 graduate of Copenhagen Central School and of Lewis County BOCES School in 1969, is a former Army reservist. He and Karen M. Stockwell were married Sept. 8, 1973. Mrs. Clemons died in December 2003.

Mr. Clemons has two sons, Scott E., who is in his 10th year as a city firefighter, and Cory L. Clemons.