Family raising funds for longtime Freeville fire department member

Chad Parker has had a positive impact on the Freeville community for more than 30 years.

Parker, a native of the village, has been a member of the Freeville Fire Department since 1988. Since then, he’s held various roles, from exterior firefighter to director and member of the W.B. Strong Fire Company board.

A graduate of Dryden High School, Parker has lived in the town of Scott in Cortland County with his family.

Now, at 54 years old, Parker has been dealing with lingering health issues. Greg Parker, the Freeville deputy fire chief and Chad’s nephew, said that Chad has had health problems for the past decade.

“It’s gotten a lot worse since September of this past year,” Greg said.

Chad’s situation was not disclosed, but the decline in health has forced him and his wife, Liz, to take a leave of absence from work. Greg noted that Chad is currently at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester for treatment.

A difficult time for the Parker family led to Chad’s sister, Lori Hines, starting a GoFundMe to help raise money for Chad and Liz.

The goal for Hines and the family is to collect $8,000. Hines provided a message on the GoFundMe page she created:

“Our dear brother Chad Parker is dealing with some serious health issues and is currently at Strong Hospital in Rochester for testing and treatment. The last few months have been particularly difficult while trying to pinpoint what is causing his decline. As a result, Liz has been unable to work while she cares for him and is now having to take a longer term leave from work. Please help them get through this difficult time by giving what you can to assist with gas, food and other expenses that are just piling up. They need the peace of mind this help would provide so they can focus on getting him healthy and strong again. Let’s help these two incredible people who have always been there for everyone else and show them the love and support they deserve. Thank you.”

Greg, the family’s fifth-generation member of the Freeville Fire Department, said that Chad is a fourth-generation member.

The Parker family as a staple in the department goes back to the organization’s inception in 1908. Mike Parker, the current fire chief and Chad’s brother, is the great-grandson of Fred Parker — a founding member of the W.B. Strong Fire Company.

According to Greg, the Freeville Fire Department is the only one in New York state to have five straight generations of family as members.

Greg said the Parker family has strived to provide the best service for the village and its surrounding areas over the years, noting that Chad especially has gone “the extra mile.”

“He’s given a whole lot to the people and the community,” Greg said. “He’s a pivotal member of the department. He’s given lots of years for services. He’s left work to go on calls, and he’s sacrificed a lot of time with his family. It’s a big commitment.”

Greg said that if anyone has the means to donate and are willing to do so, the family would appreciate any help that they receive.

“He’s had a rough go in the past. Now, it’s him we’re trying to help out,” Greg Parker said.

To donate, search “Aid Chad and Liz in Tough Times” at gofundme.com.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Town of Dryden announces new dog control officer

The Town of Dryden recently announced that Amaretta Beardslee is the area’s new dog control officer.

Beardslee will be in the contracted position with the town. She has more than 10 years of experience working in animal husbandry and welfare. Her previous work also had a specific focus on canine behavior and care.

Those needing assistance with dog control issues can contact Beardslee at dogcontrol@dryden.ny.us or 607-882-5765.

TC3 announces more than 250 students make Dean’s List

Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) announced last Friday that 254 students made the Dean’s List, with 30 of them awarded the President’s Citation for the fall semester.

TC3’s Dean’s List recognizes students with an overall grade-point average of 3.5 or better. Selections for President’s Citation are granted to students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher.

The full list of TC3’s Dean’s List and President’s Citation nods is at tompkinscortland.edu.

Book club to meet on Feb. 20

The Books & Brew club is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Hopshire Farm and Brewery at 1771 Dryden Rd. in the village of Freeville.

The theme for books in February is to celebrate library lovers month. The club encourages reading something that includes a book, a library or a bookstore in some way.

Some suggested books are on display at the Southworth Library at 24 W. Main St. in Dryden. To register for the club, go to southworthlibrary.org.