June 5, 2006 Lets all take a minute and remember Dennis Gast. He was a loving brother and friend to everyone in the fire service. We lost someone special. Let's honor him on Thursday.
June 6, 2006 Dennis, your kindness and good nature will never be forgotten. It will be remembered by us all and will be passed on to future generations of firefighters. You will be missed!
June 7, 2006 Dennis, it's me, Tully. I was just remembering when we came on the job together in '63. Seems like it was yesterday. We've seen some stuff since then haven't we? You were a good friend on and off the job and a true professional fire fighter. You'll be missed and remembered and you can rest in peace knowing you were loved, admired and respected by everyone.
Farewell Brother. Well done
June 7, 2006 RIP brother !
June 8, 2006 Dennis was one of my first friends when I joined the department in 78'. He taught me a lot about what was worth worrying about and what wasn't on the job. I have never met anyone with Dennis' ability to remain absolutely free of controversy whatsoever. I've never heard a bad thing said about him by anyone. Ever. For a firefighter, that alone is quite an accomplishment. He could do anything, and do it well. If it was done by Dennis, it was done right.
I doubt that Dennis ever really knew, or even thought about what made him so beloved, so special. I think I might know. Dennis saw the good in everyone. If Dennis met someone that he had heard
nothing but bad about, someone who was said to be useless, self serving, or any other negative quality that firefighters might find offensive... Dennis had the ability to look past all the negative and find something worthwhile that most others had missed. It was impossible to poison the character of anyone to Dennis, because he always reserved the right to have his own opinion. And that opinion was consistently centered around the best qualities of others.
You can learn to fight fire, drive an engine, or cook from a lot of people. But if you were interested in learning how to earn respect from others by respecting them first, Dennis was the guy to go to.
For that, and many other reasons, I am proud to have loved Dennis as my friend for the many years
that I did. At his service today it was said that lives end, but relationships do not. That made me feel a little better. There will be many times in my remaining years that I smile or laugh while thinking about something Dennis did or said. It's not the same as having Dennis here with us, but it's something that no accident can ever take away.
Dennis, you were the best of all of us. My career has been a lot more fun because of you, and I'm a
better man for having known you.
David Fraser
June 8, 2006
June 11, 2006
Dennis,
A true gentleman, friend, firefighter, and all round nice guy. The years I was at the Master Station, I could always count on a kind word from Dennis in the morning. He was almost always upbeat and I cannot recall anyone ever saying anything negative about him! Times when I had some concerns at work, he offered his counsel to me. He will be missed. His good nature went beyond the fire house. His love of tractors is well known. When my son was young, he gave him a ride at one of the events he so loved to participate in.
You are the best of all of us. Rest in Peace Brother...
John Barfield
June 15, 2006 DENNIS WAS A GREAT GUY - ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP A BROTHER IN NEED - WHETHER HE WAS ASKED TO OR NOT. HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.
