The Southwestern Association of Volunteer Firemen held their annual testimonial and installation of officers banquet at the Gowanda American Legion hall on Saturday, Oct. 16.

     Robert Coudrey, immediate past president of the SAVF, called the assemblage to order.

     The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sergeant-at-Arms Charles Green of the Maple Springs Fire Department.

     The invocation was given by Father Brennan of St. Bonaventure University.

     Past president Coudrey introduced Andrew Burr of Gowanda as the Master of Ceremonies, who did a superb job of leading the program for the evening.

     Burr introduced the following guests: Michael Wutz, first vice president of Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (F.A.S.N.Y.); Thomas Mooney, trustee to the Firemen’s Home on the Hudson in Hudson; Nick Crassi Jr., Gowanda Fire Department president; and Richard Klancer, mayor of the Village of Gowanda, who welcomed all the firefighters and their guests to this annual event.

     Michael Wutz installed the officers of the Southwestern Association for the year 2004-05. The officers are President Lyle Holland, Westfield Fire Department; Secretary Jim Pacanowski, Westfield Fire Department; Treasurer Steve Griffith, Westons Mills Fire Department; Sergeant-at-Arms Gerald Pietre, Orchard Park Fire Department; Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Edward Fohlman, Springville Fire Department; Historian LeRoy Harmon of Hamburg; and Assistant Historian Frank Wilczak of Cheektowaga.

     The vice presidents are Wayne Butts, Allegany County; Aaron Hackford, Erie County; Ken Eastman, Cattaraugus County; and Anthony Faso, Chautauqua County.

     The directors are Lane Baggett, Allegany County; Michael Gates, Erie County; Larry Schosek, Cattaraugus County; and Chuck Green, Chautauqua County.

     All of the past presidents in attendance were introduced by Bruce Isaman (1992). They are Leon Jacobs (1967), Don Woods Sr. (1981), Thomas Mooney (1990), Ron Wasmund (1991), Art Popiol (1995), Gary Wuethrick (1996), Douglas Wood (1997), Dan Pawlowski (1999), Robert Hintz (2000), Cliff Brown (2001), and Peter Casey (2003).

     Past President Coudrey was honored for all he has done for the Southwestern Association with several gifts of appreciation from visiting fire departments and other firefighters’ organizations.

     Coudrey’s family was in attendance, his wife of 45 years, Nancy; daughters and sons-in-law Michele and Victor Franco, and Linda and Frank Fonti; sister-in-law Alice Pfarner; and grandchildren Tory, Kara and Anna. His son Bob and daughter-in-law Jen were unable to attend.

     Michele and Linda gave some very touching words about their dad being a dedicated volunteer firefighter.