LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Eugene A. Preston upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after 50 years of
dedicated service to the North Greece Fire Department

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout the
Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the arduous
field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Firefighter Eugene
A. Preston upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to the North Greece Fire Department;
and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, The North Greece Fire Department, located in the Town of
Greece, Monroe County, New York, was established in 1922 and, with great
dedication, provides fire and emergency medical services to over 25,000
area residents; and
WHEREAS, Eugene A. (Gene) Preston joined the North Greece Fire Depart-
ment on May 8, 1961; on May 8, 2011, he will achieve the very signif-
icant milestone of 50 years of active service, a milestone only achieved
by two members in the nearly 90 year history of the Department; and
WHEREAS, With great pleasure, the North Greece Fire Department will
proudly recognize this milestone, a very special event in the history of
the North Greece Fire Department, honoring Eugene A. Preston for his
service and many accomplishments at its Annual Banquet on Saturday,
April 16, 2011; and
WHEREAS, A valued and involved member, Eugene A. Preston has served
the North Greece Fire Department in many capacities including as Presi-
dent for six years, from 1978-1984; he has also served on numerous
committees and worked on and participated in many activities and
fundraisers; and
WHEREAS, Eugene A. Preston, in addition, served on the North Greece
Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners from 1988-1997 and was instru-
mental in the establishment of the Fire District Service Awards program
to encourage volunteer recruitment and retention; and
WHEREAS, A respected and much appreciated member, Eugene A. Preston
continues, even after 50 years of service, to be one of the Department's
most active members and apparatus drivers, responding to emergencies and
attending and participating in drills, meetings, and all Department
functions; and
WHEREAS, The owner of one of the finest fire memorabilia collections
in New York State, Eugene A. Preston has graciously, and most proudly,
displayed much of his collection at the Greece Historical Society; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Greece, Eugene A. Preston spent his
childhood on the family farm on Long Pond Road; in 2005, he built a new
house on the property and also farms the land there; and
WHEREAS, Eugene A. Preston was married to his beloved late wife Pat
for 42 years; he is the loving father of Kimberly, Mark and Karen, and
has six cherished grandchildren, Brittany, Chelsea, Sean, Lydia, Michael
and Raina, all of whom are proud to be part of his life and rejoice in
his many accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others
and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family

and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Eugene
A. Preston is such a firefighter; throughout 50 years of devoted
service, this volunteer has heroically performed, above and beyond the
call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Firefighter Eugene A. Preston for 50 years of distinguished
service with the North Greece Fire Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Eugene A. Preston.