OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Pictured from left to right: Fredonia Firefighters Tim Winters, Ben Siracuse, Union President Dan Berg, and Mike Gustafson are shown wearing custom purple shirts to signify pancreatic cancer awareness. The number 5 displayed on their sleeves signifies Randy Butts’ badge number that he held before he died last November.

A year ago, the Fredonia Fire Department lost one of its most dedicated members when Randy Butts died from pancreatic cancer. Now a year later, his department has found a way to honor his memory.

The Fredonia Fire Department is participating in “Movember,” a tradition of growing mustaches throughout the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues. The Fire Department, in conjunction with the Fredonia Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 2931, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to collect donations for the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Randy’s name.

“It’s bittersweet. It’s tough because you wish he was still around, but I think this is a good way for us to honor him,” Fredonia Firefighter Ben Siracuse said.

Firefighters throughout the department, including Siracuse, Union President Dan Berg, and Fire Chief Joshua Myers, have participated in the event, also commonly referred to as “No Shave November.” Some who have not participated in the facial hair display have still offered their support by donning purple shirts with Randy’s badge number, 5, on their sleeve. The color purple is associated with raising pancreatic cancer awareness.

“I think it’s really nice. We all have decided to put the 5 on our sleeve to show, really, what the cause is,” Berg said. “Everyone we’ve talked to has been super excited that we’re able to do this to honor Randy.”

The department had discussed participating in “No Shave November” in previous years, and on a small scale, they began to participate on their own a year ago. The department started collecting donations amongst its members, as a few members started growing mustaches to participate. But as Movember participation spread throughout the department, Butts passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. At that point, unfortunately, the inspiration for the movement became clear.

A former mechanic before transferring to the Fire Department, Berg called Butts the “figurehead” for the whole department. As a member for over 30 years, he served as the paid lieutenant for the department before an official Fire Chief was appointed. He was one of the charter members when the union was established in the 1980s.

“He dedicated his life to this department. This place was his life, even after he retired,” Siracuse said. “He had some health issues but he never stopped.”

Siracuse got emotional remembering his “good friend,” who played the role of mentor in Siracuse’s career with the Fire Department.

Last year, shortly after his death, the department solicited donations from its members, along with the prize money for their annual fantasy football league, and donated it all to Roswell Park in Butts’ name. The donation was just shy of $1,200.

This year, the department’s “No Shave November” donation page set a goal of $1,500. From just 16 donors as of Wednesday afternoon, the group is already more than halfway there, with $845 raised – even before the planned Union matching contribution.

“If people feel so inclined to donate, it would be fantastic,” Siracuse said.

To donate, visit the Fredonia Fire Department on Facebook, search for Fredonia Fire Fighters No Shave November on GoFundMe.com, or follow the link below:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/fredonia-fire-fighters-no-shave-november