Claysburg Mourns Long-Time Fire Chief

The Claysburg Volunteer Fire Company and the entire firefighting community is mourning the loss of one of its own.

Dennis L. Feathers, long-time chief and president of the Claysburg Volunteer Fire Company, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 2 at the age of 64 following an extended illness.

Feathers joined the Claysburg volunteers in 1970, serving as chief for 26 years of his half century of service. After stepping down as chief, he continued to serve the fire company as its president, a position he held at the time of his death.

Current Claysburg Fire Chief Scott Eicher said Feathers served as a friend and mentor to everyone in the company.

Eicher joined the fire company at the age of 14 as a junior firefighter and said Feathers welcomed him as a colleague and friend.

"As a kid, he treated me as an equal, not just a junior," Eicher said. "You could tell by his demeanor and by the way he handled himself and the people around him that he clicked with everybody."

When Eicher became chief, he said he would often go to Feathers for advice and that he was always willing to help him.

"Denny was always someone I could go to for advice," Eicher said. "He was a mentor. If you asked him something, he would tell you the good and the bad."

Eicher said Feathers served as a mentor to new recruits and not only made them feel welcome, but also impressed upon them the importance of the job they had in serving their community.

"For new recruits to learn from him was very beneficial," Eicher said. "For them to meet and talk with someone with his knowledge was huge. He went out of his way to

welcome new people and to make them feel comfortable."

The firefighting community is a brotherhood that reaches far beyond the home firehouse, and Feathers influence reached beyond Claysburg.

Freedom Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Ron Henry met Feathers when he became a junior firefighter and although they served different companies, he said Feathers was always willing to give him advice and encouragement.

"I met Denny when I was 14 years old and first joined the fire company," Henry said. "He became a friend and mentor. He treated me really well coming in."

Henry said Feathers led by example and was universally respected in the community.

"He meant a lot to the community," Henry said. "When you volunteer that means you are supposed to be there for your community, and Denny was there for his community."

Henry said Feathers never hesitated to help anyone and said he was especially valuable to new members as they began to learn what their responsibilities as a volunteer firefighter were.

"Denny brought a lot of knowledge with him and he passed that knowledge on down to the younger generation," Henry said. "Denny was a mentor to a lot of people."

Henry said Feathers dedication to the volunteer fire service extended beyond the doors of the fire station. Feathers owned NAPA Auto Parts in Claysburg and Henry said any time he needed parts for the fire trucks he would go the Feathers.

"If he didn't have it, he would get it," Henry said. "It was always a good time going into his store and just chatting with him."

Feathers passing comes just two years after the death of his brother Dale, who was also a dedicated member of the fire company.

Eicher said Feathers' death has left the company with a void that can't be filled. Eicher said the fire company is a family, and every member is mourning the loss of a friend, mentor and beloved family member.

"His loss has created a huge hole in our department," Eicher said. "It's a huge hole in our family's heart."

Feathers' is survived by two brothers, Robert and Donald. He was preceded in death by brothers Dale and Wayne.

Feathers' viewing will be held today, Jan. 9, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Claysburg Volunteer Fire Company fire hall. Services will be on Friday, Jan. 10, at 11 a.m.