Thursday, August 4, 2022
Chuck was a definate part of my wonderful experiences in the Taunton Fire Dept, especially back in the 1970's. I was just a young firefighter then but his leadership and his personality were a draw to a firefighter of any age. I had so so many laughs with him at social events, pushball, parades, dinners or just training at the fire station. I remember him as one of the most trusted and dependable drivers of our rigs (all standards) and worked with him through pump operators. One other thing, when Station Two was built in 1976, the department contracted out to Popeye to paint the interior. The engine room walls were two tone, a light tan and a darker brown. I remember watching him freehand by brush the entire length of the wall, straight as an arrow the divide.
There is no way I can ever forget two thing's about "Popeye" as we called him and that was his signature sound when he would say hello, not sure how to spell it, but it's like; Ehhhh Hehhh in a gravley voice and of course his quite often green tinted tongue and lips from his fav cocktail.
God Rest your Soul Popeye!
Gordy
3180 Bellevue Avenue