It is with much regret that the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company announces the retirement of Lieutenant Greg Silpe who has served the citizens of Simsbury for over 16 years. Lieutenant Silpe has been a very active member of the department throughout the years. He served as an engineer on both Engine 2 and Ladder 11, and while a Lieutenant at Weatogue Station he was responsible for water and ice rescue apparatus and equipment. Greg Silpe also served as President of the Fire Company and chaired both the Raffle and Carnival Committees. For his efforts, Greg received the Chief's Award and President's award both multiple times. Upon his retirement Greg Silpe was bestowed Honorary Life status by the Fire Company.

Greg recalled the first day he wanted to become a fireman. "I could not have been more than six or seven years old and walking with my mom past a group of firefighters hanging out on the apron of the Main Station in Hartford. All the trucks were shining and the guys looked like there were having a great time hanging out at work. The brotherhood was, from the beginning, always an important part of the fire service to me. So when I was at Cornell rather than join a Greek fraternity I figured I would join the fraternal world of the fire service."

Not long after leaving college Greg Silpe built from scratch a very successful business in the beef industry, but recently sold the company and is retiring from the industry. His desire to be closer to the shore and his boat is what is leading him away from us. Greg says he is looking forward to spending a lot of time with his beautiful wife traveling and sailing the east coast to Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Besides his time with the Ithaca (NY) Fire Department and Simsbury, he also served part-time in the Winhall (VT) Volunteer Fire Company and the Noank (CT) Volunteer Fire Company. With his move to the Connecticut coast Greg will now be serving full-time with Noank.

The Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company thanks Greg Silpe for his many years of dedicated service to our organization and the Town of Simsbury. We wish him well and much success in his future endeavors.