SUMNER – When former volunteer firefighter Andy Rochester passed away this year, his brother wanted to establish a memorial fund to help the Sumner firefighters.

Fire Chief Robert Stewart said the department needed a thermal imaging camera, which helps firefighters find people in smoke-filled buildings and locate hot spots at a fire scene.

The memorial gift of $1,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Rochester was a timely one and other donations have recently been added to the fund. The Fire Department also received a grant from the Cole Foundation. This leaves only about $2,000 the Fire Department has to raise to pay for the camera, which will cost approximately $8,000.

They have 200 monthly calendars that will go on sale June 1 to raise the remainder of the money.

Rochester, who lived alone in a converted one-room schoolhouse in Sumner, enjoyed gardening and often shared his bounty of herbs with neighbors. He was known to greet newcomers by taking them potted herbs. Rosemary seemed to be his favorite.

He served many years as a firefighter, member of the Planning Board and in other civic capacities. He also was active in recruiting newcomers for civic duty as volunteer firefighter or to serve on one of the municipal committees. His friends and family say he will be remembered by this thermal imaging camera, which may save the lives of firefighters and be an asset in their work.