RYE, NH — Firefighters lined up on overpasses and by the side of the road spanning from Concord to Rye Sunday as the body of Rye Fire Lt. Charles Gallant was transported to Rye.
Firefighters and police from several towns lined up in front of Rye Fire Rescue on Washington Road and stood at attention, saluting as the hearse carrying Lt Gallant drove through town. Fire departments from New Hampshire communities and Maine provided station coverage so that Rye firefighters could be part of the procession. Lt. Charles (Chuck) Garrant was a 20-year veteran of Rye Fire Rescue, he passed away Friday at home after working an overtime shift
On the Rye Fire Rescue FaceBook page, the department wrote: “Chuck dedicated his career to helping others throughout the New Hampshire Seacoast, not only by responding to emergencies in Rye but also volunteering countless hours with the Rye Toy Bank, MDA, serving as the Local 4411 Union President, and so much more.”
In 2014, he was awarded the Paul W. Sypek Medal of Valor, given to a first responder for conspicuous bravery at extreme risk of life, for assisting in rescuing a brother firefighter at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Rye Chief Mark Cotreau said, “We extend our deepest condolences to Lt. Gallant’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time, we express our gratitude for his years of service and sacrifice.”
A walk-thru for fire service and other public safety personnel will be held from 2 to 3 PM on Thursday at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton.
Public visiting hours will follow from 3 to 6 PM. Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday at the Bethany Church, 500 Breakfast Hill Road, Greenland. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to a charity near and dear to Chuck’s heart, the Rye Toy Bank, PO Box 704, Rye, NH 03870.
Source: Patch.
