A 57-year member of the Diligence Fire Company in Summit Hill has been named as its Firefighter of the Year.

Rich Boyd, an engineer/driver, was presented with “Paul ‘Pauly’ Yuricheck Award” at the fire department’s annual Christmas party held in Hilltop Community Center.

The award is named after the late Paul Yuricheck, who was an active member of the fire company for years, including leading the annual fundraising drive, for nearly 50 years until his death in 2016.

Boyd was presented with the award by fire Chief Shawn Hoben.

Hoben said Boyd, who is retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, has taught many of the current members how to drive the apparatus, including himself.

Boyd joined the fire company in 1964 and was active for years.

Although he retained his membership, he had been less active for a few years but has since become busy with such functions as driving, serving as engineer, recruiting new members and assisting at fire scenes with such duties as dragging hoses and “doing whatever he can do to help.”

Ronald Yuricheck, assistant fire chief, said of Boyd, “He’s a good mentor for the young kids. He’s very deserving of the award.

“He sets a good example,” Hoben said. “He could just retire and sit in his chair,” noting that he had worked for PennDOT for many years until he retired.

Hoben said Boyd has devoted many hours in his retirement to volunteering at the fire company.

Boyd humbly thanked his fire company brotherhood for the award.

The fire chief praised all the volunteers for their time spent with the fire company. He said to them, “All of you deserve an award just for volunteering.”

Two other awards were presented.

Outgoing Summit Hill Mayor Paul McArdle was named Volunteer of the Year for his many years of serving as a member of the fire police.

He had been the captain of the fire police for many years.

PLS Deli was the recipient of Friend of the Firefighters award.