Former Cape firefighter dies

Longtime area firefighter Calvin Lynch died Thursday at the age of 78.

During his 40 years with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, he served as firefighter, fire captain and fire inspector. He retired from the department 19 years ago.

"He was a strong leader, very decisive. He took me into my first fire," said battalion chief Fred Vincel, who joined the department in 1982. "He was what's called a fireman's fireman, the guy that every fireman wants to be like. I learned a lot from him and consider myself fortunate to have served with him."

Lynch also owned Lynch's Fire Protection, which operates to this day under new ownership selling extinguishers, alarms and other safety equipment.

"He was a very colorful character," said battalion chief Bob Kembel. "... What he said, you did, because if you didn't do what Calvin asked you to do, he would show you how to toe the line."

Lynch served in the Merchant Marines during World War II.