Mourners March for Maben - Lance Wheeler Video скачать в хорошем качестве

Mourners March for Maben - Lance Wheeler Video

Many Turn Out to Mourn Firefighter By John Mason Columbia-Greene Media Ladder trucks from Stottville and Hudson's C.H. Evans fire companies formed an archway over the entrance to the Bates and Anderson Funeral Home in Hudson Saturday, as parking was prohibited and traffic controlled to allow a long procession of firefighters to march to a slow drumbeat up Green Street to Joseph "Gomer" Maben's calling hours. Many were wearing their dress uniforms, but one contingent of 25 or 30 people were all holding hands and wearing white T-shirts that said "In memory of Joe Maben" on the front and "Maben 11" on the back. This was the Hudson Fire Company's softball team, and 11 was Maben's usual number. In his young life, he had been an active member at different times of the Hudson, Greenport and Stottville companies. He died at age 36 Aug. 3 from a heart attack while playing in a firefighters' softball tournament Over a loudspeaker, Company Chaplain Paul Roemer read a proclamation to the throng gathered in the funeral home parking lot. "... the Hudson Fire Service has suffered the loss of an exemplary man and able firefighter," Roemer said. "We mourn the loss of our brother who was taken from us." To Maben's family, he sent "our expression of heartfelt love and sympathy. Our numbers have been diminished by the death of our friend. We can't imagine his cheerful (presence) will no longer be with us. When a firefighter dies, a piece of each of us dies with him." In conversations with people gathered in that parking lot, Maben was remembered over and over for the effect his kind and ebullient spirit had on others, and for the importance he placed on lifelong, enduring relationships. John Haywood was friends with Maben in high school. "He was a helluva guy," he said. "Just friendly — the nicest guy. He would do anything for you. The kind of guy who would literally give you the shirt off his back. No matter how bad your day was, he would make you smile.