Obituary of Clifford C Colgan

Colgan, Clifford C. Retired Binghamton Fire Chief Clifford C. Colgan died peacefully July 9, 2012 at the age of 59. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Nadine; daughter, Courtney (Christopher) Ford; and grandson, Cole Francis Ford. Surviving him also are his mother, Iva Colgan; sister, Nancy Spisak and her children, Heidi, Eric and Cory Spisak; sisters-in-law, Carol Ann Zurenda, Darlene (Edward) Sneddon; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Clifford was predeceased by his father, Charles Colgan, in June. Chief Colgan began his career in 1971 as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for the Whitney Point Fire Dept. He continued his education, receiving numerous degrees and certificates of achievement from Broome Community College (Fire Protection Technology, 1980), NYS Fire Academy at Montour Falls, the NYC Fire Academy and the National Fire Academy at Emmitsburg, MD. He was appointed to the Binghamton Fire Department in 1977, retiring as Department Chief in 2007. Chief Colgan's many accomplishments included serving as a core participant in the development of the BFD Emergency Medical Services program in 1981 and as Chief, securing Department of Homeland Security Grants for equipment upgrades and fire department services advancement. He was the recipient of seven Meritorious Service Awards, EMT of the Year in 1987 and Broome County Firefighter of the Year in 1986 for having made a life saving rescue. Chief Colgan's professional affiliations included NYS Career Chiefs Association and Association of Fire Chiefs, Broome County Fire Advisory Board, Fire Chiefs Association and Local Emergency Planning Committee. He served as a Broome County Arson Investigator (1981 to 1994) and was a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators. He was a member of the Chenango Bridge Fire Dept., the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Dept., and the Franklin Township Lion's Club. In 1980, he established and operated Colgan Chimney Services until retiring in 2011. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Saturday July 21, 2012 at 11 AM and continue until the Final Bell for Chief Colgan at 2:30 p.m. Donations in Chief Colgan's name may be made to the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Dept. Co. #1, 2440 Fairyland Road, Lehighton, PA 18235. The proceeds will be used toward the purchase of a new rig. Chief "Whatever it Takes." Published in Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin from July 18 to July 20, 2012