Past Commissioner and Department Chaplin Joseph During. (Photo from the Cortlandville Fire District).
Press release from the Cortlandville Fire District.
The Cortlandville Fire District announces the untimely passing of Past Commissioner and Department Chaplain Joseph During.
Commissioner During began his fire service career with the Mattydale Fire Department, in Onondaga County in September of 1971 where he served until May of 1981, when Commissioner During relocated to Cortland County.
In 1989, Commissioner During joined the Cortlandville Fire District where he served as Fire District Treasurer. The Cortlandville Fire District, having been founded in 1981,had limited funds and resources and had to rely on used and donated equipment. Commissioner During along with Commissioner Jack Harvey laid the ground work to update our facilities and apparatus fleet. Commissioner During established a financial plan to construct our headquarters station in 1999. Commissioner During was able to achieve this as well as updating our apparatus fleet with very little burden to our tax players.
Once Commissioner During felt he had put us on the right track, he retired from the Board of Fire Commissioners and pursued his next love, becoming a Deacon for the Catholic Church. Deacon Joe returned to the Cortlandville Fire Department and served as our Chaplain, as well as Chaplain for the Mattydale Fire Department until the time of his death.
Our thoughts are prayers are with the During Family during this difficult times.
Calling hours for Past Commissioner/Deacon Joe During will be held on Thursday from 4pm-630pm at St. Mary's Church, funeral will be Friday at 11pm.
