POUGHKEEPSIE – Thousands of firefighters from across the region paid their respects to fallen city Firefighter Timothy Gunther, who died after fighting a house fire on May 4. Funeral services for Gunther were held Monday at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie to accommodate the thousands of mourners.
Gunther, 54, was a city fireman for 21 years.
Gunther given full honors by fellow firefighters
Poughkeepsie Mayor John Tkazyik said that Gunther will not only be remembered for being a hero but also, a model citizen.
“He will be remembered as a shining example of the best our city
offers: a courageous citizen, a leader of men, a kind soul, a man willing
to do a dangerous job under very dangerous conditions,” ”said
Tkazyik.
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro called Gunther “one of our bravest” and said, “As God welcomes Timothy home, we pray for the protection of Timothy’s fellow firefighters who will continue to answer the call to protect each and every one of us.”
County Legislature Chairman Robert Rolison, a volunteer firefighter who served for 14 years, said Gunther “devoted more than two decades to bravely serving the people of the City of Poughkeepsie, risking his life to protect others with each call.”
Rolison said Gunther “has answered the final bell. I join with my colleagues in mourning the loss of this selfless man and courageous firefighter, and offer my sincerest condolences to Firefighter Gunther’s family, friends, and colleagues.”
One of Gunther’s friends said he “had enough friends to populate villages.”
His friend from college, Joe Shea, attested to level of friendship people experienced from Gunther.
“If he was your friend, he was your friend for life,” ”said
Shea. “We’d see each other maybe once a year, or once every
other year and we’d pick up right where we left off. So, he always
made an effort to keep in touch with you and to send you emails or call
you or just to see how things were going. He’d drop by unannounced
to your house or your place of work; that’s the kind of guy he was.”
Gunther’s family, friends and colleagues said that he was a man of many interests: playwriting, gambling, music and that he was known for his sense of humor.
Gunther received his degree in English from SUNY Albany and wrote a play that will soon be in production where proceeds will go to his memorial scholarship fund. Gunther was also known for his many fundraisers and his unyielding effort to help his community.
Gunther is survived by his wife Christine, son Casey and daughter Tess.
