Large turnout for Kelly; 60-year fire dept. member

DOVER PLAINS — A section of Route 22 in Dover Plains was blocked off last Friday afternoon, April 23, for a large funeral procession that made its way down the main street toward the Valley View Cemetery.

Representation from nearly a dozen fire departments, the armed forces, state police and the county sheriff’s office joined with the many community members to mourn the loss of Frank Kelly, a 60-year member and former officer of the J.H. Ketcham Hose Company and Rescue Squad in Dover Plains.

Kelly’s casket was laid in the back of a 1927 Seagrave firetruck, which he played an active role in restoring and often drove in fire company parades. The truck led the procession from Hufcut Funeral Home down Route 22 and Cemetery Road on its way to the burial site.

Fire departments from far and wide sent vehicles to pay tribute to Kelly, who served as fire chief, president and first and second vice president. He was also a charter member and the first EMS captain of the department’s rescue squad, a member of the Harlem Valley Fire Chiefs Association, the Dutchess County Fire Chiefs Council and the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. Many fire departments parked their vehicles along the side of the procession path, hanging flags from their rescue ladders and standing in salute as the casket passed.

Interment was emotional for many in attendance, no more so then when the traditional last alarm was toned out and dispatch sounded over the multitude of firefighter’s radios in attendance.

Kelly became a firefighter on Nov. 4, 1946.

Memorial contributions may be made to the J.H. Ketcham Rescue Squad, PO Box 911, Dover Plains, NY 12522 or the 1927 Seagrave Truck Fund, in care of J. H. Ketcham Hose Company, PO Box 706, Dover Plains, NY 12522.

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