A siren sounds in the middle of the night. Emergency vehicles speed through the darkness with flashing lights and blaring alarms. From the warmth of our homes, nestled under blankets, we glimpse the streak and follow the noise to its silence. We imagine a fire on a cold night like this, an accident, a family displaced, or injured. And we imagine those who have risen from the warmth of their homes to rapidly answer the call. On any given night, this sacrifice is unimaginable for many of us. And unimaginable that there are some among us who have responded in this way for their entire lives.
One of those volunteers is Noel Waite. “I have had the pleasure of working with Noel for 35 years. He’s one of the most dedicated men I know,” Chief Rich Schenk affirms. “Noel spends countless hours doing things most of us at the firehouse really don’t want to do. It is a running joke that he’s in it only for the glory!”
A life-long citizen of Hampton, Noel has been active in the town since he was a teenager, joining the ambulance corps and the fire department as soon as he became eligible, and even before. “Noel was involved with the fire department and the ambulance corps from an early age,” says Nancy Musial. “He used to ride around with Dave and Al before he was old enough to join!”
“I have known Noel all of his life. He joined the Fire Company at age 16 and before that as a ‘fire house brat’ with his mom and dad. We have been friends forever. There is no one else I would like to have at my side through thick and thin. I consider him my brother,” says Al Ameer, who is not alone in sharing these sentiments.
“The first thing that comes to mind about Noel is Dedication and Dependable,” says Dave and Dale Demontigny. “Noel has been involved in both the Hampton-Chaplin Ambulance Corps and the Hampton Fire Company from practically infancy due to attending calls and events with his parents who were staples in the departments. He has carried out this dedication to the townspeople since, becoming a Medical Response Technician and all officer positions up to Chief of the fire department.”
Noel comes from a formidable lineage of emergency volunteers. His grandfather, Jesse Burnham, was a charter member of the Fire Department. Noel’s parents, Helen and Bert, along with Eva Loew, initiated the Ambulance Corps, which began with a meeting in the Waite’s living room in 1955, a gathering of concerned citizens. Helen was the Corps’ first president and the first ambulance, a converted Bond Bread truck, was parked in the Waite’s driveway, the first alarm, a “red” telephone in their house, with Helen and Bert, literally, the first responders. Helen, who was one of the town’s first emergency technicians, also served with the Civil Air Patrol at Windham Airport and worked with the tri-town Public Health Nursing Agency. A veteran of World War II, Bert was a bus driver who demonstrated his courage in 1962 when he drove a group of integrationists from Hartford to Georgia where he met the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. who hosted a dinner and dined with the group.
Noel continued this tradition of courage, commitment, and dedication throughout his life, serving the fire company in all capacities — as Chief a couple of times, and as Captain. He is currently the department’s Deputy Chief and the town’s Fire Marshal. He also served with the Hampton-Chaplin Ambulance Corp, the Civil Air Patrol, and as a Selectman. This year, he assumed the role of “Santa Claus”.
“Noel furthered his dedication and knowledge in the fire service eventually becoming our town Fire Marshal as well as Coventry’s and other neighboring towns. He has since retired from the position in Coventry but continues his fire service in fire investigation,” the Demontignys note. “He was one of the major planners helping coordinate the building of the new fire house. He was a major player in finding and funding the return of our 1953 American LaFrance Engine 112 fire truck that was left in a warehouse. He has spent hours helping to restore the truck for parade use.”
When the original Engine 112 American La France was discovered and in need of restoration, Noel stepped up to help. The fire truck was a stalwart companion of the firemen and a familiar fixture in the Memorial Day Parade. Says Nancy, “When Noel was contacted about the original Engine 112 he didn’t need to think about it long. He brought the truck home and had it painted and up and running. I am very proud of him for doing this for Hampton. He cares.”
It was Joey Ameer’s idea to return the beloved engine to its home after the discovery that it wasn’t stored properly, coordinating the rescue effort with a couple of townsfolk. “My dad and Noel were best friends,” Joey relayed. “My whole life Noel has been around. I’ve always looked up to him. He was inspirational to many of us in the fire department. He knows just about everything there is in fire service and fire investigation He’s also very talented at construction and making things — when he wants to make something happen — it’s going to happen no matter what.” Joey recalled one of the construction projects. “I was pretty little when they built the addition on the back of the firehouse which is now considered the old part and I remember every single weekend going with Dad, probably being in the way most of the time, while they all tore that old section off and built up what is there now. I don’t know how long it took but I’m guessing it had to be the better part of at least a year for them to do it. You don’t see too many guys like that around anymore who have jobs and can stay as dedicated to the volunteer service as Noel has.”
Noel’s public persona is only one facet of his personality. Rich depicts a private side. “Noel can be intimidating in size and demeanor, but you may be surprised to know that a guy who can bull his way into a burning building, spit tobacco like a pro, drive a diesel pickup and can drink most of us under the table has the largest flock of hummingbirds in town. They fly over his water garden to get to his many waiting feeders. His garden is made up of beautiful flowers, yes – flowers, not squash or weeds. Last year he brought over some bulbs I thought were some kind of onion. Upon my quizzical look he informed me they were Gladiolas and said you bring them in the house in the winter. Oops — I think they are still waiting for me to do that,” Rich recalls. “Most recently Noel brought an old friend back into our house — our 1953 American LaFrance engine. With a strong but gentle hand, he has been getting it restored. In life there are people who don’t turn their back on an old friend. Noel is one of those people. I have the upmost respect for the man and am pleased to call him my friend.”
The Gazette’s selection was simple this year, as we unanimously supported the nominations for Noel Waite. As Al said, “The town should be very proud to have Noel. I am happy to see him get this honor.”
Dave and Dale agree. “Noel is very deserving of this Citizen of the Year reward. We thank him for his years of service and dedication. When he is home and we have a fire or accident he is one of the first responders, always keeping a calm approach, demonstrating efficient leadership. Always steady under stress.”
Simply put, says Joey, “Noel will always have your back when you need it.”