Forestville Fire Chief Kyle Barthel told the OBSERVER that his department organized the effort with the blessing of Woolley’s family. Many other fire departments also helped put the day’s services together.

“It took a few days to put together as far as coordinating everything,” he said. “… And we had to find out who was coming.”

Barthel said he was thankful for members of the Chautauqua County Fire Police, who directed traffic and helped place the ladder trucks on Main Street; for Mayville and Fredonia fire departments, whose representatives brought their ladder trucks to flank Chestnut Street and who hung a giant American flag between the two extended ladders; Sheridan Fire Department for being on standby at the local station for calls; and for South Dayton Ambulance, whose first responders also covered for the Forestville Fire Department’s ambulance during the service.

But, the one who really put the day’s events into motion, Barthel said, was Woolley himself.

OBSERVER Photo by Rebecca Cuthbert Members of the Forestville Fire Department gather outside of the Riles & Woolley Funeral Home in Forestville, Thursday, along with friends and family, to help lay their brother to rest. The life of Capt. Jared Woolley, a 59-year member of the Forestville Fire Department and friend to all in need, was honored with a multi-fire department procession.

“About four years ago, I spoke with (Woolley) about what he wanted in case something happened to him,” Barthel remembered. “I try to do that with all of our (veteran) members. He said he wanted his final ride to be on top of (Forestville’s) newest engine. We do this for our brothers and sisters who pass away, as long as that’s what the family wants, as well.”

In this case, Woolley’s family was happy to have their loved one honored by the firefighters he spent his life working beside.

“They were very thankful for (the ceremony),” he said. “I can’t exactly put it into words.”

And that feeling was mutual.

“We just thank the Woolley family for letting us honor our fallen brother this way,” Barthel said on behalf of his department.

After Woolley’s funeral services, which took place, fittingly, at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home on Main Street, the casket was walked out to the fire engine between rows of firefighters in their dress blues. The casket was handed up to Barthel, emergency medical technicians Stephen Tooley and Capt. Andrew Montague, and Capt. Joseph Kohler. This only seemed right, since Tooley and Montague were the very EMTs who performed CPR on Woolley in his last moments.

The engine then drove through Forestville’s streets, followed by a long line of vehicles — there was the family in a limousine, countless emergency vehicles from neighboring districts, and then the cars and trucks of the rest of the mourners.

“We went around the block, then sent out a page over the radio,” said Barthel. “It said ‘KMB 262, to all Forestville home receivers, this is Captain Jared Woolley’s last alarm. Rest in peace, brother. We will take it from here. KMB 262 clear at 12:28 p.m., February 2, 2017.'”

The procession stopped by the fire hall, where the siren was sounded for Woolley’s last call. That was followed by a moment of silence before the procession drove down Chestnut  Street to Main, where they all passed beneath the arch created by the ladder trucks and flag. From there, the mourners headed to the cemetery to lay Woolley to rest.

“We held a luncheon at the fire hall,” added Barthel. “That was put together by several members of the community, including (those of) the (Order of) the Eastern Star.”

Other late firefighters who have been honored in a similar fashion include Chief Jeffrey Roberts and Ron Keddie, of the Sheridan Fire Department; and Mike Valvo, of the Forestville Fire Department.

Woolley was the oldest member of the Forestville Fire Department, and he’d also been active the longest. He held several positions there, and was a founding member of the Forestville Emergency Squad. He was also a member of the Forestville United Methodist Church, and many other local organizations.

He leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Martha L. (Radley) Woolley, whom he married Sept. 12, 1959, in Central Park Baptist Church, Buffalo; a daughter, June (James) Prince, of Forestville; two sons, James (Ellen) Woolley, of Belfast and Mark (Ann) Woolley, of Forestville.  Also surviving are six grandchildren, Jared (Valerie Buchnowski) Prince, Joshua (Tracy Knapp) Prince, Jessica (Alex) Murns, Robert Woolley, Michael Woolley and Lynanne Woolley; and four great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a great-granddaughter, Angela Woolley.

Friends who would like to make donations in Woolley’s memory may send them to Forestville Fire Dept. Emergency & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Forestville, NY 14062; to Villenova Grange 604, attn. Neva Woolley, Treas., 9239 Silver Creek/South Dayton Road, Forestville, NY 14062; or to the Forestville United Methodist Church, 3 Park Street, Forestville, NY 14062.

Comments on this article may be sent to rcuthbert@observertoday.com