Barre honors firefighters at annual banquet

Staff Reports Posted 21 March 2016 at 12:00 am

Provided photos

BARRE – The Barre Volunteer Fire Company held its annual banquet and awards program on Saturday at the East Shelby Fire Hall.

The Barre Fire Company presented many awards, including the EMS Person of the Year to Amanda Dixon, left. She is pictured with James Neal, second from left; Jerry Bentley and Patrick Lamka, the EMS captain.

Mark Farone was named Firefighter of the Year.

Chris Flansburg won the Chief’s Award. Both Farone and Flansburg are dedicated volunteers for the Barre Fire Company.

Terry Bentley, right, accepts the President’s Award from Karl Driesel.

Womens Auxiliary officers include from left: Mora Curtis, Betty Hazel, Stephanie Spencer and Stephanie Corke.

Officers for 2016 include from left: Susan Driesel, Fire Police Captain; Nic Elliot, 4th Lieutenant; Ben Flansburg, Captain; Bert Mathes, 1st Lieutenant; James Neal, Assistant Chief; Chris Flansburg, 2nd Lieutenant; Doug Bentley, Mechanic; Jerry Bentley, Chief; Brian Bentley, Assistant Mechanic; and Patrick Lamka, EMS Captain. (Not pictured: John Egloff is 3rd Lieutenant.)

The banquet on Saturday included a special presentation recognizing four generations of the Bentley family for their volunteer service to the fire company. Family members have given 158 years of service to the Barre Fire Company, including 93 years in a leadership position.

The Fire Company marks its 55th year this year. Gerald Bentley, who passed away in 1996, was a charter member. His son Douglas Bentley joined in April 1972 and was chief in 1987-88 and has been mechanic since 1995.

The third generation of Bentleys started when Tom Bentley and Jerry Bentley both joined in March 1989. Tom has been assistant mechanic, lieutenant, assistant chief and chief from 2005-2010. Jerry has been lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, and chief from 1997 to 2004 and since 2015.

Terry Bentley joinedin August 1995 and has served as vice president, president, EMS captain and is currently secretary.

The fourth generation of Bentleys also has joined the Barre Volunteer Fire Company. Brian Bentley became a member in March 2012. He is the assistant mechanic for 2016. Kara Bentley joined in November 2015.