pnbsppdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptspan stylefont-size 12ptLast year the Level Volunteer Fire Company said goodbye to charter member and past chief spanspan stylefont-size 12ptW. Carroll Craig Jr.nbspThe following is a copy of the eulogy delivered at Carrollrsquos fire department memorial service by past chief and president Gene Worthington.spandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5innbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptldquoTonight we are here to honor the memory of W. Carroll Craig Jr. and his many accomplishments for the Level Volunteer Fire Company.nbspIt is my honor to share this time with you and reflect back on some of the memories and achievements that Carroll contributed to our company. spandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5innbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptOn behalf of the fire company we extend our deepest sympathies to James Billy Robert and the family.nbspThere is no way possible to explain our loss here in a few minutes to what Carroll has given us over the past 55 years.nbspHe was one to lead by example he needed to be active and demonstrate his personal skills in a manner that all could understand and follow.nbspYour loss and our loss cannot be filled however his memories and achievements will be with us forever.spandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5innbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptAfter the Hoshall house fire had devastated the community the community called for a meeting at the Rock Run Church social hall to discuss the formation of a local fire company.nbspCarroll was at the meeting and thus became a Charter member.nbspThe decision was made quickly to organize.nbspThe first fire apparatus was purchased and plans were underway for a new building.nbspConstruction started in the fall and the building was completed in August 1954.nbspIt took the company members only nine months to construct.nbspCarroll Craig was a major player during this construction period.nbspFrom laying block to placing roof rafters Carroll was involved in all aspects of the build.nbspspandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5innbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptLet me share a personal story with you.nbspIt was during that construction when Carroll was backing the recently purchased fire engine towards the front of the building.nbspThe ladder was mounted on the top of the unit and stuck out about 3rsquo past the rear.nbspAfter he backed it up he quickly jumped out of the cab and noticed that the ladder was sticking through the overhead door window and broken glass was lying on the ground.nbspHe quickly pulled the engine forward went to his panel truck and got the necessary tools to remove the remaining glass.nbspAs he told the story he measured the window opening went to Vielersquos in Aberdeen to get the glass cut returned and replaced the new window pane.nbspspandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5innbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptCarroll had many wonderful qualities and he shared his time and talents with the fire company.nbspHe was a man that showed minimal emotion and seldom got upset no matter what the situation was.nbspAs you reflect on this consider he served many years in a leadership role and just never got harsh with his peers.nbspThis is a great lesson for all of us to learn.spandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5innbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptCarroll was first elected to the position of Fire Captain in 1954 and 55.nbspHe then changed to the administrative position of Vice President in 57 58 and 59.nbspAfter a year off he returned to the operational office of Assistant Chief for the next 13 consecutive years and then assumed the rank of Chief in 1974 and 75.nbspIn 1979 Carroll was elected to the Office of Director and served from 79 to 84 and 86 to 90.nbspThat would be his last year serving in an elected position however this did not diminish his role within the company as he regularly pulled weekly ambulance duty for nearly 40 years and would remain active in fire responses weekly cleanups and serving on numerous committees.nbspnbsp He was known for his mechanical ability as he often fixed or repaired items at the firehouse. spandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5innbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptCarroll was always actively involved in the fund raising activities of the company especially the ice cream festivals and Thanksgiving Day dinners held annually.nbspHe even designed a mechanical unit to make the ice cream.nbspHe took his garden tiller modified it to accept a shaft to replace the tongs set it up on a stand that he constructed to match the height of the freezer and then would sit and watch the ice cream freezer being turned at the envy of his peers.nbspCarroll would continue his fund raising activity by assisting the ladies with their catered events until his health would not allow.nbspHe was best known as the meat carver.nbspspandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5innbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptspan stylefont-size 12ptnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbsp Another true story we were at the Aberdeen Proving Ground for a county-wide drill and competition in the early 60rsquos.nbspOne of the competitions was the salvage of furniture within a burning structure. In a matter of minutes the assignment we were given was completed to perfection under the leadership of Carroll.nbspAs a matter of fact that exercise was video taped by the APG folks on 16mm tape and later shown during training classes.spandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptnbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptspan stylefont-size 12ptnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbsp It was 1974 and the fire company had voted to add a 12000 foot addition to the existing building.nbspCarroll would serve on that building committee and be responsible for the carpentry phase of the work.nbspAs many of you know this building was totally constructed by the membership.nbspspandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptnbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptAnother story during the construction Buddy Testerman and I were working on assembling some metal brackets that had to be bolted together in such a manner to create this corner where it tied into the existing building.nbspWe were having some difficulty and asked Carroll to look at the drawing.nbspAfter a few minutes he threw the brackets to the ground and said lets go eat the ladies have lunch ready.nbspAfter lunch as we were walking back to the work Carroll was standing there with a big smile on his face.nbspHe told us to hold the drawing toward the sun and view it from the back and there it was plain and simple. spandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5innbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptAnother story someone was hanging a door when Carroll came by to inspect his comments put a dime in that crack not 2 nickels.nbspAgain it was his way not to criticize your work.nbspThis construction project would go on in different phases for 8 years until the renovation of the old firehouse was completed.nbspspandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptnbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptspan stylefont-size 12ptnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbsp The story could not be complete without saying that Carrollrsquos wife Frances was also a charter member of the ladies auxiliary and served with them for some 54 years.nbspFrances and Carroll were a team the team that worked together played together and worshiped together.nbspThey enjoyed square dancing and would do so weekly.nbspThey enjoyed playing cards and would do so whenever the opportunity arose.nbspThey enjoyed working the garden and they enjoyed their family.nbspI can personally speak to that as I spent much time there playing and working with James and Billy.nbspspandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptnbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptspan stylefont-size 12ptnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbsp Carroll has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years from the fire company however none higher than being nominated and inducted into the Maryland State Firemenrsquos Association Hall of Fame.nbspspandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptnbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptspan stylefont-size 12ptnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbsp We hope that those who are able will continue the tradition that Carroll Craig and others have started by assisting the fire company with their time experience and knowledge whenever and wherever possible.nbspWe here at Level are blessed with many fine members and are proud to have been a friend of W. Carroll Craig Jr.nbspspandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptnbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptTonight we celebrate his life with the fire company again we extend our condolences to the family and we want to say thanks to James and Billy for sharing their Mom and Dad with us for over 55 years. spandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptnbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptspan stylefont-size 12ptnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbsp Now as we say goodbye the Level Volunteer Fire Company will pay honor to Carroll by giving him his last ride tomorrow his final call atop the old Dodge that he and other members built next door at Knightrsquos Garage.nbspspandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptnbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5inspan stylefont-size 12ptOur fire company is another home where everyone is family and we want you to know that Carroll will always be a part of our family.rdquospandivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-indent 0.5innbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptnbspdivdiv stylemargin 0in 0in 0ptspan stylefont-size 12ptThe Level Volunteer Fire Company is proud to dedicate the new Supply 181 to the memory of Chief W. Carroll Craig Jr.spandiv
