Pictured, from left, Fire Coordinator John Scott and First Assistant Chief Jim Morris hold the fire service marker that will adorn Kenneth Wolff’s grave upon burial. They are pictured inside Croton Hose Co. #3’s station in the Flats, where members gathered on Sunday to render the “Last Call” to Wolff. (Photos by Wendy Post)
The wreath that hung on Croton Hose Co. #3’s station in the Flats in honor of the fallen Kenneth Wolff is placed on a fire truck as members of the company prepare to render the “Last Call”. Pictured, department member Earl Hartman looks on.
Fire department members from Croton Hose Co. #3 walk in formation behind a fire truck on Sunday as they proceed to the home of the late Kenneth Wolff, an active department member for 75 years. The members stopped just down the road at the home of Kenneth Wolff to render the “Last Call” to his family, who gathered in front of the home.
Family members of Kenneth Wolff are pictured outside of the family’s home on Sunday as members from Croton Hose Co. #3 in the Flats arrived to render the “Last Call” in honor of the late Kenneth Wolff.
Kenneth Wolff’s widow, Jeana, is pictured with her sons Edgar and Kenneth Jr. outside of the family’s home on Sunday as members from Croton Hose Co. #3 in the Flats arrive to render the “Last Call”, and to honor their former department member.
Earl Hartman offers a fire department marker to Kenneth Wolff’s widow, Jeana. The marker will adorn Wolff’s grave upon his burial.
On Feb. 14, firefighters from Owego’s Croton Hose Co. #3 in the Flats paid tribute to one of their firefighters by rendering the “Last Call”, an honorary fire department tradition. Long-time member Ken Wolff passed away on Jan. 18 of this year at the age of 92, and following 75 years as an active member with the fire department.
The temperatures were well into the single digits on Sunday, as department members readied the fire truck, and placed a wreath that represents the fallen on its side. Once ready, members followed the truck down Talcott Street, and stopped at the home of the late Kenneth Wolff to render the “Last Call” to his family.
Once there, and with the family members outside to receive the call, a voice came over the radio in the truck, and the bells and sirens rang, signifying the “Last Call” in the line of duty.
In this emotion provoking tribute, the bell ringing recalls a time when the fire bell rang to call firefighters to an alarm and then, again, to signal that the alarm had ended.
For the “Last Call”, the radio replicates the events of the firefighter’s last call.
A tearful Jeana Wolff, Kenneth’s widow, following the “Last Call”, was handed a fire department marker that will adorn his grave upon burial. Alongside Jeana were her sons, Wolfgang (Skip) and Kenneth Jr.
Kenneth Wolff was very deserving of this honor as he spent his entire life serving the fire department, as well as the community. According to Earl Hartman, volunteer firefighter, Wolff served at one time as a fire chief and fire coordinator, and was responsible for establishing 911 in Tioga County.
Dick Franz, also a longtime fire department member, talked of Wolff’s service to the community, as well as to his country. According to Franz, Wolff served five years in the Navy as a gunner in the Naval Air Force.
“His combat stories were great,” said Franz on Sunday.
Franz also described Wolff as one of the most unifying guys they ever had, and that he served in all offices.
Judy Hartman, also a volunteer firefighter, arrived to honor their longtime member. Hartman has been a member of the department for a much shorter time than Wolff, but explained that she feels like a life member as her dad, Harold Baker, was in Croton Hose Co. #3.
“I grew up in this station,” said Judy.
And the camaraderie could be felt as fellow members braved the cold temperatures on Sunday to honor Wolff.
John Loftus, a department member, described Wolff as having a positive attitude.
“He’s always been an active community member,” described Loftus, who added that Wolff served as Republican Chairman and was active in politics, behind the scenes. He was also the veteran’s administrator at one time.
But most of all, according to Loftus, Wolff was active in the fire department.
“He was deep in fire service,” said Loftus.
Kenneth Wolff will be buried at a later time. The “Last Call”, on the other hand, paid honor and tribute to the service that Wolff gave to his community – without asking for anything in return.
A wreath, signifying fallen department members, adorns the Croton Hose Co. #3’s station on Talcott Street in honor of the late Kenneth Wolff.
