Senate Resolution No. 1789

BY: Senator HELMING

COMMENDING Fire Chief Gerald J. VanDeWalle upon
the occasion of his retirement after 40 years of
dedicated service to the Newark Volunteer Fire
Department

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and
bravery every day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer Firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great
country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Fire Chief
Gerald J. VanDeWalle upon the occasion of his retirement after 40 years
of dedicated service to the Newark Volunteer Fire Department to be
celebrated on Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Captain Jack's in Sodus Point,
New York; and

WHEREAS, Gerald J. VanDeWalle was born on September 30, 1948, to
Henry and Julianna VanDeWalle; and

WHEREAS, Upon his retirement from Garlock Sealing Technologies,
Gerald J. VanDeWall worked at VanDeWalle Lawn Care; dedicated to his
faith, he is an active member of the Woodlane Community Church; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to
respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Christine; his son,
Brian; and his two grandchildren, Darryl and Jake, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his 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;
Gerald J. VanDeWalle is such a firefighter; throughout his 40 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 Fire Chief Gerald J. VanDeWalle upon the occasion of his
retirement after 40 years of dedicated service to the Newark Volunteer
Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Fire Chief Gerald J. VanDeWalle.