The town of Tyrone will not be the same without Bill O’Brien. A 57 year member of the Neptune Fire Company, O’Brien lost his battle with cancer on February 1, 2016.

O’Brien lived in Tyrone his entire life and served the Citizens and Neptune Fire Companies for many years. Bill knew where all fire hydrants were in Tyrone, and he knew every street. Bill was a driver and the Chief of the Neptune Fire Company. He was loved by many people of the community, including young people at Tyrone High School.

Sarah Wilson, a senior at TAHS, has been involved with the fire company for almost a year.

“I knew Bill my whole life but I really got to know him even better when I got involved with the fire company.  He was very smart, very funny.  He liked to joke.  When we would get back from calls he would just be there to chat. I remember when he would make fun of my height!”

“Knowing Bill meant you were somebody,” said Wilson, “Equally, Bill’s friends are testament to the man he was himself,” said Wilson.

“I personally will miss his joking around and laughs.  It will be hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember,” added Wilson.

Nick Riggleman, a junior at TAHS and a Neptune firefighter, also had many fond memories of O’Brien.

“I first met O’Brien when I was 16.  I went to the station and filed out an application and he was there.  Over the years I got to know him, I learned that he was an amazing guy,” said Riggleman, “He taught me so much during the time I’ve been involved in the fire company.  He was a great pump operator and made sure everyone was safe.”

“I’ll never forget his motto ‘the best thing an older firefighter can teach a young firefighter is how to be an old firefighter’,” said Riggleman.

Ben Weaver, TAHS freshman and volunteer firefighter in Bald Eagle, first met O’Brien hanging out at Fire Station 34.

“The pagers went off and all the members came rushing in and that’s when O’Brien came in and jumped the 31-21 engine. He fired it up wait for the firefighters to get in a take off like a bullet to whatever the emergency was,” said Weaver. “Bill knew everything there was to know about fire trucks he enjoyed teaching anyone who wanted to know. He’d go from top to bottom and front to back with you.”

I also spoke to several adults from the community and fire service who knew O’Brien well and were impacted by his life.

Tyrone Area School District Police Officer Bub Dick was a good friend of O’Brien.

“Bill was a great guy, a great firefighter, and a real good man. He would help anyone in need. You could ask Bill about anything and he’d try to answer to the best of his knowledge,” said Dick.

“Bill taught me to drive fire trucks. He and I spent a lot of time shoveling coal and carry ashes from the basement to the driveway in and out of the snow. The best memory of Bill was going to the Firemen’s Conventions together. We loved to play ping pong every chance we got,” said Calvin Brower, a retired member of Tyrone fire police.

Dan Snyder, A lieutenant at Neptune Fire Company also learned a lot from O’Brien. “The two things Bill taught me was when you’re at a call never get excited on the radio, stay calm keep normal tone of voice and when responding to alarm or a call don’t make another accident happen by rushing to the scene, drive smart,” said Snyder.

Bill might be gone, but he will never be forgotten.