LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Eugene A. Preston upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition after 55 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 55 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, A lifelong resident of Greece, Eugene A. Preston joined the
North Greece Fire Department on May 8, 1961; throughout his illustrious
career, he was President of the Department from 1978 to 1984, and served
on the North Greece Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners from 1988
to 1997; and
WHEREAS, After more than five decades of steadfast dedication to the
North Greece Fire Department, Eugene A. Preston continues today as one
of the most active members and apparatus drivers; he has also been
instrumental in the establishment of the Fire District Service Awards
program for volunteer recruitment / retention; and
WHEREAS, A longtime member of the Society for Preservation and Appre-
ciation of Motorized Fire Apparatus in America, Eugene A. Preston is a
member of numerous firematic organizations some of which include:
Monroe County Fire Chiefs; Life Member of the New York State Association
of Fire Chiefs; Monroe County Fire District Officers Association, Inter-
national Association of Fire Chiefs, and Firemen's Association of the
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Eugene A. Preston was married to his beloved wife Pat for 42
years prior to her passing in 2008; and
WHEREAS, In addition, with him throughout have been his three loving
children, Kimberly, Mark and Karen, and six beautiful grandchildren,
Brittany, Chelsea, Sean, Lydia, Michael and Raina, all of whom feel
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; 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 55 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 Eugene A. Preston for 55 years of distinguished
service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Eugene A. Preston.