Frank Calarco was more than a firefighter.
“He wanted to make things better for people,” his daughter Christina said. “He was a hero to us.”
Frank, a 34-year veteran and former chief of the Auburn Fire Department died Wednesday from cancer. He was 71.
Better known to many as “Chubby,” Frank joined the fire department in 1960 and served as chief from 1986 until his retirement in 1994.
Christina said a special moment for her father was when his son Michael joined the fire department in February 2005.
“He was really proud that someone in the family would want to do that, also. He pinned the badge on (Michael) when he graduated from the academy,” Christina said. “He was proud of all of us, but that was really special for him.”
In addition to working with the fire department, Frank was involved in his church, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Heart Association, the Knights of Columbus, Auburn and Cayuga County Democrats and the Sons of Italy.
Christina said that part of what drove her father to become involved in community service was that he genuinely cared about people.
“He didn't do things for himself,” she said. “He was just really loving and tried to be a father to not just us (his children) but anybody who needed him.”
Auburn Fire Department Assistant Chief Terry Winslow remembers Frank as a firefighter who rose up through the ranks and was “well-liked and well-respected by everyone around him.”
Winslow said Frank's leadership was instrumental during the Dec. 19, 1993 Dunn and McCarthy factory fire.
“That was a huge blaze that we battled for days.” Winslow said. Frank, Winslow said, coordinated the entire department - and several volunteers - at one time.“
Frank lived on lower Orchard Street his entire life and worked with community groups to help make the neighborhood a better place.
C.J. Calarco laughed as he recalled his father often saying “Don't do stupid things.”
“That was pretty much his motto,” C.J. said. “He liked to say that a lot.”
Christina said that her father felt free to speak his mind. “He was never one to tiptoe around things,” she said.
Winslow agreed. “He didn't rule (the fire department) with an iron hand, but you knew he was in charge,” he said.
Before becoming chief, he served on the Cayuga County Legislature as a Democrat before being defeated in a 1987 race that was so close it was decided by absentee ballots.
Robert Calarco said his father touched a great many lives in Auburn and Cayuga County. “He's going to be missed,” he said.
Frank is survived by his wife of 31 years, Deborah, and five children: Christina, Michael, Robert, C.J. and Victoria.
Frank, a 34-year veteran and former chief of the Auburn Fire Department died Wednesday from cancer. He was 71.
Better known to many as “Chubby,” Frank joined the fire department in 1960 and served as chief from 1986 until his retirement in 1994.
Christina said a special moment for her father was when his son Michael joined the fire department in February 2005.
“He was really proud that someone in the family would want to do that, also. He pinned the badge on (Michael) when he graduated from the academy,” Christina said. “He was proud of all of us, but that was really special for him.”
In addition to working with the fire department, Frank was involved in his church, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Heart Association, the Knights of Columbus, Auburn and Cayuga County Democrats and the Sons of Italy.
Christina said that part of what drove her father to become involved in community service was that he genuinely cared about people.
“He didn't do things for himself,” she said. “He was just really loving and tried to be a father to not just us (his children) but anybody who needed him.”
Auburn Fire Department Assistant Chief Terry Winslow remembers Frank as a firefighter who rose up through the ranks and was “well-liked and well-respected by everyone around him.”
Winslow said Frank's leadership was instrumental during the Dec. 19, 1993 Dunn and McCarthy factory fire.
“That was a huge blaze that we battled for days.” Winslow said. Frank, Winslow said, coordinated the entire department - and several volunteers - at one time.“
Frank lived on lower Orchard Street his entire life and worked with community groups to help make the neighborhood a better place.
C.J. Calarco laughed as he recalled his father often saying “Don't do stupid things.”
“That was pretty much his motto,” C.J. said. “He liked to say that a lot.”
Christina said that her father felt free to speak his mind. “He was never one to tiptoe around things,” she said.
Winslow agreed. “He didn't rule (the fire department) with an iron hand, but you knew he was in charge,” he said.
Before becoming chief, he served on the Cayuga County Legislature as a Democrat before being defeated in a 1987 race that was so close it was decided by absentee ballots.
Robert Calarco said his father touched a great many lives in Auburn and Cayuga County. “He's going to be missed,” he said.
Frank is survived by his wife of 31 years, Deborah, and five children: Christina, Michael, Robert, C.J. and Victoria.