On goodness

The rural character that everyone wants to preserve is more attitudinal than physical, and has little to do with cows and horses tastefully deployed on open space.  Self-reliance, neighborliness, and pitching in to help out define a community.

On February 27,Goochland lost a man, Garland N. “Pete” Gregory, Sr., longtime resident of Hickory Haven in Centerville, who personified rural character.

Pete lived according to the Ten Commandments, Golden Rule, common sense, with  a bit of mischief thrown in for good measure. He loved his family, neighbors, Centerville Volunteer Fire-Rescue Company 3, and St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church. He derived great joy from everything he did.

After moving to Goochland with Joyce, his wife of 63 years, in 1966, Pete soon joined Centerville Volunteer—then fire only—Company 3. Last fall, he was sworn in as an honorary chief of the department to commemorate more than 50 years of extraordinary service to fire-rescue and the community.

Family was Pete’s priority.  His moral compass was locked on true north. He lovingly set clear rules and boundaries for his kids and grandchildren that guided them well along life’s path.

He took great interest in his neighbors and was fondly known as “the mayor of Hickory Haven.” Pete helped out whenever and however he could from fixing  things to keeping an eye out for the safety of older people living alone.

A service to honor Pete’s memory filled St. Matthew’s on March 3. Old Glory flew from the ladder truck of Goochland Fire-Rescue, which joined Company 3 apparatus “staging” outside to honor him.

Goochland's ladder truck displays flag outside of St. Matthew's.

L. Franklin Wise, Jr. the last volunteer Chief of Goochland-Fire-Rescue, who joined Company 3 with Pete, shared memories of his old friend. Wise painted a picture of an organization that was a second family to its members, who united to serve the community they lived in and loved. They worked hard, performed a vital service, and had fun in the process.

Back then, the volunteers bought and maintained their own equipment. Pete used his mechanical ability and creativity to craft work-arounds to keep apparatus on the road, or rebuild pumps when they lacked to resources to have them fixed professionally. They sometimes combined mechanical aptitude with ingenuity to keep engines with faulty radiators from overheating on the way to fires.

Pete loved showing off Centerville fire trucks in parades and would often spend weeks polishing, painting, and preparing them to compete. The gracious plenty of trophies at the Company 3 station attest to his efforts.

Pete was a volunteer firefighter; a founder of the Centerville rescue squad; president of the Goochland Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Board; and guiding star for Company 3. He participated in several station renovations and built bunkbeds for Centerville and other stations.

A  granddaughter recalled that one of  his favorite tasks was cooking for Company 3’s annual Santa breakfast on the first Saturday of December, which also became a Gregory family ritual.

Cooking for the annual Company 3 Santa breakfast was an annual ritual for Pete Gregory

As the congregation recited the 23^rd Psalm, its words “…the valley of the shadow of death…” seemed to reference the workplace of firefighters. Current Goochland Fire-Rescue members in dress uniform lined the walls during the service, paying homage to a colleague, friend and role model.

D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr., Deputy Chief EMS for Goochland Fire-Rescue read The Firefighter’s Prayer:

When I am called to duty, God,

wherever flames may rage,

give me strength to save a life,

whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child

before it is too late,

or save an older person from

the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert,

and hear the weakest shout,

quickly and efficiently

to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling,

to give the best in me,

to guard my friend and neighbor,

and protect his property.

And if according to Your will

I must answer death's call,

bless with your protecting hand,

my family one and all.

Current Goochland Fire-Rescue Chief Bill MacKay conducted the “tolling of the bells” ceremony used by the fire service to mark the passing of a firefighter.

Rest in peace Pete, may you dance with the angels forever.