By Natalie BazinetStaff Writer
LIMESTONE — Volunteer firefighter Gary J. Gendreau, 33, of Caswell, has been with the Limestone Fire Department (LFD) for two years; prior to volunteering with LFD, he was previously with the Grand Isle Fire Department for 12 years.
Even when he was working his way through Scouting from a Cub Scout to an Eagle Scout, Gendreau always knew that he wanted to be a firefighter.
“Being a firefighter is an honor,” he said. “You get to help people and even save their lives.”
Gendreau and his wife, Tracy Land-Gendreau, hope to have children someday, but for now, Gendreau likes to spend his time with his wife and cats or four wheeling.
His favorite foods are pizza, lasagna, Chinese food and anything home cooked, unless it’s home cooked Southern style like boiled peanuts, okra and grits, which are his least favorite foods.
Outside of the department, Gendreau is a seasonal driver for Lanes Construction Corp., a full-time employee for Northeast Packaging of Caribou and a part-time employee at McDonalds of Presque Isle.
Even though firefighters risk their lives for the good of the community, “firefighters are not high and mighty; they’re just people too,” he said adding that there’s more to being a firefighter than rescuing people and putting out fires, such as participating in charitable fund-raisers like Toys for Tots, participating with parades and managing fireworks events.
