Stovebolt.com Forums The Side Lot The Old Dominion Stovebolt Society (MD, VA, WV & DC) Sad news - Gary Callis passed

Billy, you have a good memory.


John's Saga - I never wanted to be a fireman is a fun story, that also covered some of Gary's wonderful qualities.

Right about then, at that particular junction along Life's path when you could most use one of Yoggi Berra's forks and all Life hands you is a dead end, "Slim" swaggered back in. "Slim" had taken the form of my ATHS friend and antique firetruck expert, Gary. I was fresh out of ideas, motivation, excitement or anything else that would move this scheme off top dead center and I needed a different perspective. So I called Gary.

"Let's go get it," Gary said matter of factly. Huh?

Go read the rest of it.

Just got home from the reception at the funeral home. Gary's casket was closed so I guess we can't call it a "viewing." But I was proud to see his casket properly covered with a casket flag as befitting his status as a U.S. Military veteran (Air Force).

My friend and coworker, Dale (whom many ODSS members know) had brought the Hollywood VFD parade truck (HVFD's 1st piece of equipment). Gary had been chief engineer of HVFD. Dale needed to take the truck back to the firehouse for the night and needed a ride back to the funeral home to get his POV. So I escorted him back to Hollywood.

As with a lot of antique truck adventures, this one also had its obstacles to overcome. We had a fuel issue with the truck ('47 IH). But with the assistance of our local DOT enforcement officer, we were back on the road and the truck was back in quarters in no time.

Gary is probably smiling at Dale's and my mini adventure! But not about a cop having to rescue a fireman ...

I can hear Gary now .... "Hmmmmph!"

We'll bury him tomorrow.

Yesterday went well enough and everything went smoothly. Pat had us at the funeral home at 0830 for a 0930 departure for the church. Mike and Dana caught up with us enroute so we had an actual Stovebolt in the escort for the arrival at the church.

Charlie stayed home on this one because Pat specifically wanted the Cornbolt ('73 1310 dump) to go with the Hollywood and Mechanicsville VFD's Parade Trucks which were both Internationals. Pat drove the 359 Pete and his brother Artie drove Mechanicsville's 23. Gary Mattingly drove Gary's '59 Reo and Dale Pilkerton, Sr was driving the Hollywood truck.

One of Gary's relatives drove a '31 Model A truck. Neither Gary's firetruck nor his Autocar dump truck were able to be there.

We had a medical emergency happen in the middle of the church service ... but ... with a room full of Firefighters/EMTs/1st responders, it was handled swiftly, professionally and successfully and the service continued.

For the graveside service, the Air Force sent two E-7's (Air Force rank insignia can be confusing ...) for taps (one of those electronic bugles )but they did a nice job of folding Gary's casket flag and presenting it to Gary's daughter, Trish.

Gary had a good send off.

It sure is hard to look at the Reo and not see Gary behind the wheel.

I think this will be my first trip to Macungie where Gary wasn't in the convoy. He always liked to "bring up the rear" and would talk to the truckers on his CB...normally just telling them it was OK to merge back over after passing him...

Mike B