LISBON – About 40 Lisbon firefighters in full dress uniform, including the fire department color guard unit, gathered on the grounds of the Lisbon Falls fire company, Saturday morning for a monument dedication service in memory of Capt. William Risska, the only Lisbon firefighter to lose his life in the line of duty.

Capt. Risska died 70 years ago, on Oct. 4, 1936, when a firetruck accidentally backed over him during a fire. He was 58 years old.

Deputy Chief Mike Robitaille, who coordinated the event, welcomed six members of the Risska family, several of whom came from out of state for the ceremony. Robitaille said most of the firefighters had been unaware until recent years that one of their own had lost his life in the line of duty, and wanted to honor him with a permanent memorial.

“He was dedicated to doing what he loved the best, ” Robitaille to the group.

Family members attending were Risska’s grandson, M. William Stewich; great grandson; William Stewich, grand granddaugther; Karen Stewich, great-great granddaughter Alex Stewich and Capt. Risska’s nephew, Rolvin Risska, and his wife, Marge., all from of Massachusetts or New Hampshire.

The engraved monument was installed in a small flower garden at the base of the flag pole outside the fire station.

in addition to the permanent monument, stickers have been made that have been put on every Lisbon firetruck in memory of Risska, and will be put on all future fire equipment, Robitaille said.

According to Francis Plummer’s “History of Lisbon,” Capt. Risska died when a firetruck accidentally back over him during a fire that destroyed Cowing’s Tavern, a once-famous hostelry, more commonly known in later years as the Brick Tavern. It was located about a half-mile out Main street in Lisbon Falls, along the old stagecoach road.

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