Richard Rule honored for 50 years of service
Dan McClelland
Major milestone of committed service to the community
An impressive hand-made award sporting a commemorative fire ax and appropriate words depicting the hometown fire department's deep appreciation was given this weekend to Richard “Dick” Rule to mark his half-century of fire service to the community and its citizens. It was awarded at a banquet in his honor. Pictured flanking Dick were First Assistant Chief Nick Rolley, who is also first vice president of FASNY, Chief Royce Cole and Second Assistant Chief Joseph Arsenault. (photo provided)
by Phyllis Larabie
Tupper Lake Fire Department held a dinner to honor one of its own- Richard “Dick” Rule- at the VFW post on Saturday, January 26 in recognition of his 50 years of loyal and dedicated service on the Tupper Lake Fire Department.
Mr. Rule is a life time member of the community. He graduated from Tupper Lake schools and went to work after high school at Gionet-Sentry Hardware in 1967. He eventually purchased the business in 1978 and changed the name to Rule’s Hardware and Marine. This past year he semi-retired, selling his business to Paul Robert.
Richard is married to Linda Rule and they have five children.
He joined the Tupper Lake Fire Department in 1968 at the age of 22. During his 50 years of service in the fire department he has held the position of treasurer, Captain of Company 1 and for the past five years he has held the position of safety officer. He has received “Fireman of the Year” honors in the past.
The dinner in Dick's honor was attended by approximately 50 people, consisting of firefighters and their spouses and other community members.
Mr. Rule was presented with a fireman's axe plaque from the Tupper Lake Fire Department, a plaque from Village of Tupper Lake, along with a certificate of recognition from Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) and the Northern New York Firemen's Association. Mayor Paul Maroun also presented Mr. Rule with a letter of recognition.
Mr. Rule is still an active member of the Tupper Lake Fire Department.