Rockport dedicates newest firetruck to old friend, firefighter Ben Tolman
Ben Tolman’s family, from left to right: Nelson, Eric, Monica, Kit, Clay, Nate, Maynard (his father), Krista, Mark, Eric, Bristol, Ashley, Ruth (his mother), and dear friend Greg Rollins. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)
Krista Tolman, Ben’s wife, gets into the driver’s seat of the Ben Tolman truck. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)
The Rockport Fire Department, standing, from left to right: Ian Robertson, Deputy Fire Chief Todd Philbrook, Michael Robertson, Phil Brown, Chief Jason Peasley, Levi Rollins, Neil Bartley, John Sylvester, John Wickenden, Justin Ford, Allen Mitchell, Mike Eaton, Lt. Charles Pearson, Lt. William Lane, Chief Bruce Woodward and Charles Knight. Kneeling in front: Lt. David Leighton, Sam Leighton, Tyler Leighton, Lt. Greg Rollins and Michael Callaway. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)
Ben Tolman’s family, from left to right: Nelson, Eric, Monica, Kit, Clay, Nate, Maynard (his father), Krista, Mark, Eric, Bristol, Ashley, Ruth (his mother), and dear friend Greg Rollins. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)
Krista Tolman, Ben’s wife, gets into the driver’s seat of the Ben Tolman truck. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)
The Rockport Fire Department, standing, from left to right: Ian Robertson, Deputy Fire Chief Todd Philbrook, Michael Robertson, Phil Brown, Chief Jason Peasley, Levi Rollins, Neil Bartley, John Sylvester, John Wickenden, Justin Ford, Allen Mitchell, Mike Eaton, Lt. Charles Pearson, Lt. William Lane, Chief Bruce Woodward and Charles Knight. Kneeling in front: Lt. David Leighton, Sam Leighton, Tyler Leighton, Lt. Greg Rollins and Michael Callaway. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)
ROCKPORT — With a flourish, laughter and a few tears, firefighters and family gathered in the evening, July 23, at the West Rockport Fire Department to dedicate the town’s newest fire truck to Benjamin Tolman, a treasured friend and longtime volunteer firefighter, who died in May 2012.
“He was a good friend and a dedicated firefighter,” said Fire Chief Jason Peasley, describing a man who gave back to his community with enormous heart.
Ben Tolman died at age 50, leaving his wife, Krista, as well as a large family. Growing up in Rockport, with his brothers Eric and Nelson, and parents Maynard and Ruth, he was especially fond of West Rockport and the George A. Parker Fire Station, on the corner of routes 90 and 17.
Ben had graduated with the Class of 1980, Camden-Rockport High School, and served with the RNM Seabee 27 (Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 27) before returning to Rockport to work in the family business of Maynard E. Tolman, Inc., Builders, constructing many area homes, cottages and buildings.
Eventually, he became president of the business, and joined the Rockport Fire Department. In conjunction with his fire service, Ben trained and received his Red Card, giving him the ability to fight forest and wildland fires throughout the United States. He served as Rockport Fire Department’s representative to the Board of Directors of Knox County Fire Fighters Association.
When Engine 23 arrived earlier this summer, the Rockport Fire Department gathered and talked about dedicating its trucks to valued firefighters.
“I asked, who should we dedicate Engine 23 to,” said Peasley.
There was no hesitation.
“Ben Tolman,” a firefighter said.
That was followed by a quick second, and the matter was sealed.
The town’s newest truck was custom-made for West Rockport, with a powerful engine to climb the town’s steep hills, fully loaded with 1,000 gallons of water.
On July 23, the small ceremony at the West Rockport station at 6:30 p.m. drew admiration and smiles from commuters heading home, as the sun cast its summer light on the Ben Tolman truck. Adventure Advertising — Joe and Ginny Ryan — had donated the lettering on the truck and it stood out in gold against the red of the truck. As Krista opened the door to climb into the driver’s seat the sun got even warmer, and one could almost see the spirit of her husband jumping aboard, as well.
Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657
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