LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Franzel LeRoy upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after 65 years of
dedicated service to the Port Gibson Volunteer 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 Franzel
LeRoy upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after
a remarkable 65 years of dedicated service to the Port Gibson Volunteer
Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, He will be honored at the Port Gibson Volunteer Fire Depart-
ment's Annual Banquet to be held at the Palmyra VFW on Saturday, March
3, 2012; 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, Ninety-three year old Franzel LeRoy was, in 1946, a Charter
Life Member of the Port Gibson Volunteer Fire Department of Port Gibson,
New York and, over the years, has served the Department in many capaci-
ties; and
WHEREAS, Franzel LeRoy was elected the Port Gibson Volunteer Fire
Department's first Treasurer at the Department's founding on December
27, 1946; he was elected President of the Department in January 1948,
first Carnival Chairman in 1951, Trustee in 1954, and New York State
Northern Central Delegate in 1958 and, he has served with distinction as
the Department's Bingo Chairman for many years; and
WHEREAS, Franzel LeRoy also served as a member or chairman of several
other Department committees including those on the extension and devel-
opment of the present Fire District, the purchase of the present fire
shell and the development of the basement and was, in addition, instru-
mental in the purchase of land adjoining the firehouse, including the
present pavilion land and land west of Canandaigua Street; and
WHEREAS, Franzel LeRoy and his late wife, Thelma, were married on
November 4, 1938; their son Stephen and his wife Beverly and their
daughter Jean and her husband Don Blaisdell gave them seven grandchil-
dren and great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; 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; Franzel
LeRoy is such a firefighter; throughout 65 years of devoted service,
this volunteer 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 Franzel LeRoy for 65 years of distinguished service
to the Port Gibson Volunteer Fire Department and his community; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Franzel LeRoy.