remembered for his ready smile While Chief D. Scott Warthman (chief ret.) will always be remembered for his spirit of volunteerism with the Brockport Fire Department and his skill in working with gold leaf and hand painting fire truck logo and fire helmet shields. But it was his ready smile that was always mentioned when firefighters spoke of the fallen chief. He had been a member of the Capen Hose Company No. 4 since 1961 and was the department chief from 1979 to 1980. Chief Warthman, 60, and his mother-in-law, Helen Scholand, were killed in a car accident Saturday, December 13. His vehicle was struck when another driver failed to stop at a stop sign, was spun around into oncoming traffic and was hit by a second vehicle. More than 300 gathered on December 17 to watch his final ride aboard a fire truck during a department service and processional down Main Street in Brockport. The truck paused at the firefighters memorial monument. Fellow firefighters share memories Above all else, Chief Warthman will be remembered for his zeal in working to make the Brockport Firefighter's Memorial Monument a reality. "Scott was working (at the Democrat and Chronicle) and a picture came across the Associated Press wire and that was when he knew that the Brockport firemen needed to do something," BFD Public Information Officer Christopher Martin said. The "something" began with the department making a truck and crew available for New York City firefighters, but Martin said they never got the call to go and help. "Scotty got the idea to erect the monument and he followed the project through to completion." The monument is a life-size replica of the famous photograph of three firemen raising the flag in the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Brian Seeley, first lieutenant in the ambulance corps, said he would remember Chief Warthman as a "great guy who was always willing to share his stories and his knowledge with the crew." Chief Warthman was the department's historian and was instrumental in creating the fireman's museum. "I don't think people have any idea how far-reaching the loss of the chief is," Martin shared. Past Fire Chief Larry Vaughan shared that Chief Warthman was a "unique individual who got things done." Vaughan also said that when the troops got frustrated and wanted to throw in the towel, Scotty stayed with them and helped boost morale. "He was always smiling," Vaughan, who has been with the department since 1967, said. "He was the ultimate fire fighter," Martin said. "He had more heart and soul than three guys put together and if you asked his wife, she would say the department always came first."
In addition to spearheading the creation and realization of the monument, Chief Warthman was the man behind the design of the Brockport Fire Department logo. The logo features an 1876 Silsby Steamer with two white horses. The gold leaf, hand-painted logos on the trucks and the shields on the firefighter's helmets were individually painted by the chief. "They were all custom designed and hand-lettered," Martin said. "He would also design and hand-paint shields for other departments if he was asked." History Chief Warthman is survived by his wife, Bonnie; two daughters, Lynette (Mark) O'Dell and Mary Warthman; three stepchildren, Tammy (Mark) Reigelsperger, Kari Hill and Jay Smith; his mother and father, Earl and Sally; sister, Judi Nichols; brother, Ronald; and nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Memorial gifts can be made in his honor to the Brockport Fire Department Monument Fund. They may be addressed to P.O. Box 254, Brockport, NY 14420. "The chief will be remembered by the department and members of the community all over the tri-county region," Martin said. |
