Get to Know
Jim Harlfinger
Jim Harlfinger has held a deep affection for Mattapoisett for most of his life. As a child in the 1940s, he spent summers on Shell Beach and in Antassawamock with his family, creating memories that would shape his lifelong connection to the town. When their family home was swept out to sea during the twin hurricanes of Hurricane Carol and Hurricane Ednain 1954—leaving only the back concrete step behind—there was never any doubt they would rebuild. Jim continued spending his summers in Mattapoisett into adulthood with his wife and children, before the family made the town their full-time home in 1997.
In 1998, Jim began serving as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Mattapoisett Fire Department, eventually attaining the rank of Lieutenant. After retiring from active firefighting in 2022, he continued to support the department in a clerical role. During his service, Jim was recognized for pioneering the use of door stickers that help firefighters quickly identify the location of children’s bedrooms during emergencies. The program, developed in Mattapoisett, has since been adopted by departments across the state. As Fire Chief Ronald Scott noted, “It was something he came up with, his own idea, and we are the ones who pioneered it in the good old town of Mattapoisett.”
Beyond his work with the fire department, Jim has remained deeply committed to volunteerism. He has raised funds through “Fill the Boot” initiatives and has spent many hours educating children and seniors about fire safety. He has also served the Antassawamock Club, first as Vice President and later as President.
Jim and his wife, Diana, enjoy boating, fishing, and walking along the shoreline while taking in the views of Buzzards Bay. They are active members of the Buzzards Bay Rowing Club, where they both serve on the executive board. Together, they are proud parents of five children, grandparents to ten, and great-grandparents to two.
