Hastings Pays Tribute to Former Resident, Deputy Fire Chief
Hastings Pays Tribute to Former Resident, Deputy Fire Chief
V. William “Bill” Gunther passed away peacefully on February 13, 2024 at age 91 1/2
by Janine Annett
Hastings-on-Hudson — On Saturday, April 13, Hastings paid tribute to former Deputy Fire Chief V. William “Bill” Gunther. A funeral mass was held at St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church in Hastings with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery in Putnam Valley. As part of the tribute to Gunther, a procession of fire trucks traveled through Hastings and a large American flag was displayed on Farragut Avenue.
Gunther was a 70-year member of the Hastings Volunteer Fire Department. Although he retired to Florida in 2004, he continued to serve as a mentor to his sons and grandsons still serving in the fire department.
According to his obituary, Bill Gunther passed away peacefully on Feb. 13 at age 91. Among his many achievements, he was a founding member of the Hastings Volunteer Ambulance Corps (founded in 1955), actively contributed to Uniontown Hose Co. #2, and served as fire department chief from 1985-1987.
Gunther is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol, and six children: Marty (Ann) Gunther, Nancy Palmieri, Maureen (Greg) Bassmann, Michael (Cathy) Gunther, Peter (Maria) Gunther, and Karen (Ike) Kuzio; 14 grandchildren: Justin, Olivia and Caroline Gunther, Robert and Max Palmieri, Amanda and Joey Bassmann, Bryan, Thomas, and Sean Gunther, Alyssa and Sophia Gunther, and Aiden and Ryan Kuzio; sisters-in-law AliceMarie Borash and Marilyn Gunther; and many nieces and nephews.
“Mr. Gunther, as I knew him growing up, served as chief with my father in the ‘80s, and it’s an amazing honor to have known him closely as a friend and mentor,” Hastings Fire Chief Brian Schnibbe said. He added that it was a privilege “to be able to have served as chief alongside Martin when I was an assistant, and now [with] Michael as an assistant while I am head chief. His impact on all of us will never be forgotten. The list of past chiefs in Hastings is long and incredibly distinguished but Mr. Gunther is no doubt on our Mount Rushmore.”
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests sending donations in Bill’s name to Blythedale Children’s Hospital, Attn: Development Department, 95 Bradhurst Avenue, Valhalla, NY 10595.
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