| JUNE 3, 2013 -- Lawrence “Larry” Hurlbut, who served for more than 60 years as the chief of the Winchester Volunteer Fire Department, died Sunday morning. He was 97.
Hurlbut was a founding member of the Winchester department and its first chief. He retired from the position in 2010 after 64 years of service. Hurlbut was also a member of the Winchester Grange for several decades and was recognized in 2010, his 75th year of membership.
Hurlbut was a member of the Winchester Congregational Church, where his wife Jean, serves as organist and choir director. He and his wife raised six children, four sons and two daughters.
In addition to volunteering ti the fire department, Hurlbut worked for the town’s public works department for several years.
According to the Winchester Fire Department’s history, written by department historian David Battista, Hurlbut and his brothers, Phil and Elmer, helped the department in 1948.
The brothers and other town residents realized that the more than 30-minute trip, in those days, from Winsted or Torrington, was too long.
Hurlbut later became director of a state-owned regional fire training school in Burville that opened in the 1960s.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized. |
