Page 44 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch July 12, 2013 County Commissioner Enters Firefighters Hall Of Fame By TRAVIS BROWN STAFF WRITER POCOMOKE – When he’s not busy working behind a desk as Pocomoke’s County Commissioner, Merrill Lockfaw can likely be found behind the wheel of a fire truck serving as a volunteer firefighter for the community. With more than four decades of service under his belt, Lockfaw has been recognized for his efforts and recently inducted into the Firefighters Historical Foundation of Delmarva Hall of Fame. “When I found out that I had been selected, I was very excited and pleased,” he said. “It’s been 41 years. I’ve had a lot of enjoyment in the fire company and I think that it’s one of the most worthwhile things a person can do. And to be recognized was just very exciting.” During his tenure with the Pocomoke Fire Company (PFC), Lockfaw has worn a lot of different hats, or in this case, helmets. He currently serves as recording secretary for the company, operates trucks and still responds to field calls. Lockfaw also served as chief of the company from 1986 to 1990. “I don’t pull hose or climb ladders and things like that as much as I did when I was younger, but I still drive the trucks and serve as secretary,” he said. While he admits that “you can’t make [every call] unless you live right there in the firehouse 24-7,” Lockfaw maintains a high response percentage, despite being a County Commissioner and being involved with a variety of community projects such as 4-H, the Fraternal Order of Master Masons, and playing an active role in his church. Before Lockfaw signed on as a volunteer firefighter in 1972, he said that he had a neighbor who participated and introduced him into the company. “I had always admired the firemen, especially in Pocomoke, and I knew a lot of them growing up,” said the commissioner. It’s harder today to get people interested in volunteer firefighting, said Lockfaw. He attributed the cooling off to the fact that young people today seem to be caught in more of a runaround with school, work, jobs, families and other obligations. However, there are still new recruits who find the time to volunteer and Lockfaw said that he is impressed by them and tries to mentor those who are just starting. “I like working with the young guys that are just coming along,” he said. One such cadet is Lockfaw’s 16year-old grandson. “My oldest grandson now, who is 16, he’s following in my footsteps and is a cadet. So I’m watching him and I’m seeing myself when I was many years younger,” the commissioner said. Obituaries He is preceded in death by his OCEAN CITY – Thomas “Tom- father, Thomas James Geoghegan my” James Geoghegan, Jr., 44, a Sr., and his grandfathers, James three-year resident of Ocean City Sullivan and William Geoghegan. He is survived by his companion, and previously of Annapolis, died Jessica Schmucker of Ocean City; June 30 in Ocean City due to an airhis mother, Maureen Sullivan Geoplane crash. Born November 13, 1969 in ghegan of Annapolis; both grandCheverly, Tommy attended Broad- mothers, Lorriane Sullivan of Annaneck High School, the University of polis and Thelma Geoghegan of Maryland Baltimore County and Salisbury; two brothers, Bryan (and received his Bachelors of Criminal his wife Erin) Geoghegan of Arnold and Chris Geoghegan of Justice from the University Alexandria, Va.; two nieces; of Baltimore. He was a seaand two nephews. sonal police officer of the Visitation at the Taylor Ocean City Police DepartFuneral Home at 147 Duke ment (1991, 2002-2013) of Gloucester St. in Annaand the owner of Infosys polis was held yesterday. Networks (1993-2013). The funeral service will be In January 2013, Tomat 11 a.m. on Friday, July my was awarded a Bronze 12 at the Evangelical PresStar during the Ocean City byterian Church, 710 RidNeighborhood Watch ProTHOMAS gely Ave., Annapolis. A secgram's annual OCPD OfGEOGHEGAN JR. ond visitation and service ficer of the Year banquet and was among a handful of officers will be held at The Community to “receive commendations for dis- Church at Ocean Pines, 11227 tinguishing his or herself by per- Racetrack Rd., Berlin with viewing forming extraordinary physical acts from 4 p.m. until service beginning or rendering life saving techniques at 6 p.m., Saturday, July 13. In lieu of flowers, the family to aid in the preservation of human request that donations be made in life.” Tommy was a member of Sigma Tommy's name to the Juvenile Alpha Epsilon (SAE) and the Red Diabetes Foundation (JDF). Star Pilots Association. Online condolences may be He enjoyed flying, diving, sailing made to www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com. and traveling. Thomas Geoghegan Jr.