Longtime Freeville Fire Department member passes away

Chad Parker, a longtime member of the Freeville Fire Department, passed away on April 26 after dealing with lingering health issues.

Parker, who had a positive impact on the Freeville community, volunteered in various community roles for almost 40 years.

The Freeville Fire Department provided a statement following his passing: 

“It is with great sadness we officially announce the passing of life member and fourth generation Freeville firefighter Chad A. Parker. Chad joined in 1988 and served as an interior firefighter, driver of the tanker and rescue and served on committees and several years and terms on the board of directors right up until this year. Chad was a caring, giving person that loved his family and helped the community. His passing is not the end. In death, there is life. Chad died a hero as he was able to donate organs to some and heart valves to save children. He was a true hero and was given a hero’s walk at Robert Packer hospital [in Sayre, Pennsylvania] surrounded by doctors, nurses, helicopter pilots as well as fire department members and family just before his passing. He will be truly missed.”

According to Parker’s obituary, which noted him as a “giving person,” Parker donated his tissue to help as many as 75 individuals.

Parker, a native of the village, was a member of the Freeville Fire Department since 1988. He held various roles, from exterior firefighter to director and member of the W.B. Strong Fire Company board.

Greg Parker, 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.

Greg Parker is currently the deputy fire chief.

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 in the past. “He [was] a pivotal member of the department. He’s given lots of years for services. He has left work to go on calls, and he’s sacrificed a lot of time with his family. It’s a big commitment.”

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

Chad’s obituary noted that he was a “a member of the Town of Scott Zoning Board and longtime Sexton of the Scott Union Cemetery. He loved bowling, playing softball with his church friends and cards with the church seniors. He loved hunting and fishing, was an avid Yankee and Saints fan and enjoyed going on cruises.”

The Freeville Fire Department is accepting donations to assist Chad’s family with funeral expenses and needs. To donate, go to freevillfd.com.

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

In brief:

Upcoming meetings for the town of Dryden

The Dryden Town Board is scheduled to meet on May 8 and 15, each time at 6 p.m., at the town hall on 93 E. Main St. The public is invited to attend, either in person or via Zoom.

The town’s planning board is slated to meet on May 22 at 6 p.m. at the town hall. This meeting can also be attended either in person or on Zoom.

For more information, contact the town hall at 607-844-8888. Agendas for the meetings will be available at dryden.ny.us.

Dryden Little League to hold golf tournament May 18

Dryden Little League will host a fundraising golf tournament at the Stonehedges Golf Course in Groton on May 18 to support youth baseball and softball.

The tournament, which will be a captain-and-crew format, begins at 8 a.m. The cost is $300 per team and includes 18 holes, greens fees, a cart and dinner after golfing.

The event also includes door prizes, gift bags, a putting contest, longest drive and closest to the pin contests and raffles for other prizes.

For more information or to request a registration form, send an email to mruse13@gmail.com.

Silent book club at the library on May 19

Southworth Library in Dryden will have its silent book club gathering at 6:30 p.m. May 19.

The club allows people to choose a free book from the library’s pile to read and take home. Participants can also bring a book to the gathering.

The club is for ages 16 and older. To register, go to southworthlibrary.org.