Laceyville's First Female Firefighter of the Year 2008

The first woman to be named Firefighter of the Year by Laceyville’s Good Will Fire Company was presented the prestigious award Saturday night at the company’s annual Appreciation and Awards Dinner.
Mary Bendock, a relatively new member of the company who is serving as treasurer, was honored by the company for the way she handled the difficult transition of replacing former treasurer and long-time fire company member, the late Joe Colegrove.

Assistant Chief Brad Fassett, who was named Fireman of the Year in 2005, presented the award. Fassett described the huge obstacles Bendock faced and said she was a “true godsend to our company.”

Emotions ran high as Fassett announced that Bendock was this year’s recipient of the company’s top award. “She has volunteered many, many hours in organizing the paperwork and everything else that goes with that position, as well as participating in firefighting training classes,” Fassett said.

He expressed the gratitude felt by the entire company for all of Bendock’s hard work and said, “We hope you stick around for a long, long time.”

Fassett was overwhelmed at one point when reminiscing about Joe Colegrove and said, “We all still feel the loss even now, over one year since his death.”

Bendock said the award was a complete surprise. “I was stunned,” she said. “These are great people, she said of her fellow firefighters. She also expressed thanks to the community. “I never knew there was so much community support out there.”

She was chosen to receive the award by a vote from her fellow firefighters.

Mary Bendock with GWF Officers

2007 Firefighter of the Year