Senate Resolution No. 2563
BY: Senator BORRELLO
HONORING Firefighter John R. Winterhalter upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 62 years of dedicated service to the Belmont
Fire Company
WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and
bravery every day in the course of their duties; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer Firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great
country; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Firefighter
John R. Winterhalter upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 62 years of dedicated service to the Belmont Fire
Company, celebrated at the Allegany County Volunteer Firemen's
Association's 104th Annual Convention on Wednesday, July 10, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Born to Frederick and Pearl Winterhalter on March 13, 1936,
in Belmont, New York, John R. Winterhalter, affectionately known as
Jack, graduated from Belmont Central School in 1954, before proudly
serving his country as a member of the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, John R. Winterhalter joined the Belmont Fire Company on
September 3, 1957; he quickly rose through the ranks and served as
Department Chief from 1970 to 1973; he also served as Company President
from 1979 to 1981; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to his community, John R. Winterhalter has
served the Village of Belmont in many capacities, including multiple
terms as Mayor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Helen, and their
three children, Mary Jo (Mike), Jeffrey (Christa) and Gregory (Ellen),
as well as eight grandchildren, David, Amber (Phillip), Devin (Wilson),
Megan, Dylan (Marissa), Alex, Joshua and Jacob, and one great-grandson,
Landyn; and
WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to
respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; and
WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help
others and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with
family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need;
John R. Winterhalter is one such firefighter; throughout 62 years of
devoted service, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond
the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Firefighter John R. Winterhalter upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition after 62 years of dedicated service
to the Belmont Fire Company; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Firefighter John R. Winterhalter.
