72 years old with 43 years of Service--Firefighter Retires

[captstanm1]

TBO.COM News


He Knows The Fire Drill
BY STEPHEN THOMPSON spthompson@tampatrib.com
Published: Sep 18, 2002


ST. PETERSBURG - When Cornealius F. ``Freddy'' Guy joined the St. Petersburg Fire Department, Dwight D. Eisenhower was president.
Firefighters had to hang their hoses in a tower to dry because they were made of cotton then and would rot if left wet.

And a common emergency was the grass fire - unimaginable now in most of Pinellas, the most densely-populated county in the state.

This month, after 43 years, Guy is retiring.

He's 72 years old.

``It's been a wonderful job, and I've had a wonderful life,'' said Guy, who's been married to his wife, Lois, even longer than he's been a firefighter, and who has four adult children and six grandchildren.

``And I'd do it all over again and stay another 40 years.''

Despite his age, Guy has not restricted himself as a firefighter, said his boss, Lt. G.B. Rockey. He goes out on all calls and does his share at Station 9 as well, usually washing dishes after the evening meal.

Three of the firefighters with whom he bunks at Station 9 were toddlers when Guy started out in the department; two others weren't born yet.

Still, he has more than kept up with them when they respond to a fire, accident or medical emergency, Rockey said.

``He's probably one of the few people I have to make go sit down,'' Rockey said. For instance, firefighters are supposed to rest after their 30- minute air bottles empty, but Guy will put on a new bottle and resume whatever he was doing, the lieutenant said.

Guy, on the other hand, has become aware of a certain deference on the part of his colleagues, with supervisors often replacing him with younger firefighters when he's inside a building or on a roof.

``I have sense enough to know that at 72 years old I need some help, and these guys give me all the help that I need,'' Guy said.

Many in the public safety field earn their pension after the 20- or 25-year mark and move on to another job to qualify for a second pension.

Guy considered doing that once. He just didn't think he would end up working this long. He's accumulated so much sick time, he said - 3,000 hours - that he could have taken more than a year off if he had to.

But back in 1959, Guy had his doubts when his wife showed him a newspaper advertisement placed by the fire department, now called Fire & Rescue, and encouraged him to apply. The Guys had moved to Florida from Toledo, Ohio, after he lost his job with a railroad.

``I never thought I would make it for one thing,'' Guy said. ``And I never thought I would like it.''

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 823-3303.

[SPIPER]

You could'nt get through crust like that with a jackhammer. Happy retirement Freddy!

[CJMinick390]

Maybe I can ride for another 20 years after all. Thanks Freddie. You're an inspiration to us all!

[Medic129]

You could'nt get through crust like that with a jackhammer.

- PRICELESS!! I'm still trying breathe I'm laughing so hard!

Seriously though,

I can only hope I last that long! Best of luck to Freddy in his retirement.

[StayBack500FT]

Right on, Freddy!!!!!!!

[SPFDRum]

Wow...a toast to a true crusty!

[dmsmith]

Crust tougher than concrete....Congrats on a sterling career Freddy!

[captstanm1]

I saw him on a new report on TV. They say that he is/was still a real ball of fire. Had to be ordered to sit and take a break. Not sure if he drove any, but all of the video footage I saw of him was getting into and out of the bucket. They listed some of the fires he had been on and showed some old video footage of them. He has probably done more jobs that most of us all put together.

Amazing career for sure.

[mtwaites]

GOOD WORK

You have to be proud of all of your accomplishments that you have had in the service for that long Good Work!