Townspeople gather to celebrate 60 years of service

By Joel Howard
Interviewing Ed Kelley is akin to a roller coaster ride into Norfolk’s past. On the occasion of 60 years of service with the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Department, memories came fast and sharp.

Under the guise of a holiday party, the department lured Kelley to the station house in early December. There was indeed a party, except it had not a thing to do with the yuletide season. Kelley was being feted with a surprise gathering to celebrate his years of service to the community.

And was he surprised? “Oh, yes. Oh, sure. God, yes. And surprised to see so many of the young cadets showed up,” he allowed in a voice filled with affection.
With all fire apparatus moved outside, some 50 guests took their seats at tables set up especially for the occasion. A quick grace from Reverend Erick Olsen set the tone for the evening. As Olsen finished a quick tribute to Kelley, he jokingly asked that everyone “be given the strength to keep putting up with Ed.”

Ed Kelley celebrates 60 years of service to the Norfolk Fire Department

Now working mostly in traffic control during fire calls, Kelley reroutes vehicles, as needed, on some calls. Robust at 81 years of age, he will likely be directing traffic for some years to come. His “regular” job finds him at Norfolk’s Old Newgate Coon Club, where he and his wife have worked together for 33 years.
While volunteering is rich in personal rewards, six decades of being on the scene of accidents and fires means that it is not unusual to see the face of a friend in distress. “A place the size of Norfolk, you’re gonna come across people you know,” Kelley says, his voice a bit softer. He spoke of the emotional weight of dealing with tragedy.
Remembering a bad automobile accident of several years ago, when he was doing a stint as a volunteer EMT, Kelley recalls, “I knew the young lady. Knew her family. She was in a bad way and I didn’t know if she’d make it.” Years later, with her father deceased, that same accident victim was walked down the wedding aisle by the very doctor who saved her life. “Something good that I never expected to see,” he remarks.
The party in Kelley’s honor was attended by many members of his family, and brought out the jovial side of the octogenarian. His two grandsons, both following in their grandfather’s tradition of volunteering with the department, did some playful sparring with him just before the meal was served.
As for the day he’ll stop volunteering, Kelley chuckles and keeps it simple, saying he’ll continue to give of his time “until my health gives out.”

Photo By Jonathan Barbagallo