We are so sad to announce the passing of longtime Beacon Hose member Albert Beckwith this Sunday morning after an illness.

So many of us knew him as “Uncle Al,” a nickname he earned thanks to his friendliness and wisdom accumulated throughout his 52-year career as a member of Beacon Hose.

Al was a firefighter who for a time served as lieutenant, and he was also one of the first certified EMTs in Connecticut, serving for years as Beacon Hose’s ambulance coordinator. In that role, he was the leader of the committee that designed and purchased our first modern ambulance in 1979.

In the decades following his active service, Uncle Al remained a constant presence at our meetings and events. He was a parade enthusiast who not only helped prepare our apparatus, but also called commands in the line of march. He was also our honor guard commander who took special pride in helping us pay tribute to many departed members at their ceremonies.

Beacon Hose sadly announces the passing of longtime firefighter Tom O’Connell, who died Sept. 27 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Tom joined Beacon Hose as a firefighter in July 1995 after previously serving in the Oxford Center Fire Company. As a career truck driver, his driving expertise was second to none in the local fire service. Tom was also a skilled pumper who fought countless fires on Engine 2, which Beacon Hose acquired at around the same time that he joined. He pridefully drove Engine 2 through many parades, including the 2015 Connecticut State Firefighters Association Convention parade here in Beacon Falls.

For several decades, Tom was a staple at Beacon Hose events — especially behind the grill serving up sausage and peppers at our carnival. He was a good friend to many firefighters not just at Beacon Hose, but throughout the Valley, often representing our company at events.

Beacon Hose is saddened to announce the passing of 48-year member and past officer Arthur Norton, who died Wednesday after a long illness.

Artie joined Beacon Hose in February 1974 and was a fixture here for decades and served in many different roles over that time: firefighter, truck replacement committee member, mechanic, fire police lieutenant, jokester, and friend. He remained dedicated to our department into his later years, when he would often spend his afternoons with his fellow old-timers sharing stories with the younger generation.

Artie was also a great family man, which extended to us at Beacon Hose. His wife, Janet, became one of the first female members of Beacon Hose as a longtime EMT, and his granddaughter, Kirsten, was a social member for years.

We at Beacon Hose are sad and regretful to announce the passing of longtime member Peter Christensen, who died April 3 with family and friends by his side.

Pete joined Beacon Hose in January 1975 and held countless roles in our organization over the past 46 years. In addition to being a firefighter and an EMT, he was a past EMS director and the longtime chairperson of our scholarship committee, where he oversaw the awards of more than $100,000 to Beacon Falls students over the past few decades.