| From www.westwoodfire.com
On Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 current Assistant Chief and Past Fire Chief Chester A. Taylor, Jr. passed away following a brief illness.
Chief Taylor first joined the Fire Company in 1969, and quickly rose through the ranks.
Chief Taylor served as a Chief Officer longer than any member in our Fire Company history.
Beginning in 1977, he served as Assistant Chief under Chief Scott.
In 1979 and 1980, he was the Fire Chief; following in his father's footsteps. His father, Chester A. Taylor, Sr. was a founding charter member of the Company and our first Fire Chief.
The Honey Brook Fire Company offers its sincere condolences to the Taylor family and Westwood Fire Company.
From 1981-1983 he served as an Assistant Chief under Chief Murray.
He served as Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, and Battalion Chief for Chief Gathercole from 1984-1999, including the two years of 1989-1990 under Chief Criswell.
He then served under Chief DiLuigi as his Assistant Chief from 2000-2003.
Once again, he served as an Assistant Chief to Chief Scott in 2004.
From 2005-2007, he was the Assistant Chief to Chief Sly.
At the time of his passing, he was still holding the office of Assistant Chief under current Chief McWilliams. Chief Taylor was also in his second year of a three year term as Company Trustee.
Chief Taylor was also a Life Member of the West End Fire Company of Coatesville, a Life Member of the Thorndale Fire Company, a Life Member of the Pomeroy Fire Company, and a member of the Parkesburg Fire Company.
His son, Chester A. Taylor, III is currently a Junior Firefighter with the Company and will uphold the legacy set forth by his father and grandfather.
Arrangements will be forthcoming.
Chief Taylor was a fixture in our Fire Company history; often found responding to emergencies, mowing our grass, fixing our plumbing, or doing anything possible to help the Fire Company and community in need. This is a very difficult loss for our Company, and one that will be noted for many years to come.
We would like to thank the members of the Cochranville and Modena Fire Companies for their immediate assistance this evening, and to all those who we will undoubtably forget to thank during our time of mourning. |
