He’s been a linchpin of the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company for five decades.

A half-century after he began his tenure, Kevin Lilly was recently honored for 50 years of membership and service to the fire company and community.

Franklin Township Fire Chief Lynn Diehl said he can only remember two other members who have reached the active 50-year milestone.

“Kevin is recuperating from some medical issues now, but he will be back in it soon,” Diehl said. “We need to get him all fixed up so we can get another 50 years out of him.”

Lilly, who is assistant fire chief of the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, received the distinction during the fire company’s Valentine’s Dance.

At that time, a years of service award plaque was presented to him by fire department Captain Eric Lilly.

Contacted after the banquet, Kevin Lilly said he was surprised to receive the plaque.

“I didn’t expect ... I’m not there for that reason,” Lilly said. “It was a great feeling, and I was thankful.”

Carbon County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, whom Lilly has known for 50 years as a member of the Lehighton Fire Department, also spoke at the banquet.

“It was just a good time that they (other fire companies) were there,” he said. “Not just Franklin as being a family, it’s throughout the whole fire service; I’ve met a lot of people throughout the years who I just became friends with.” Lilly noted that things have evolved quite a bit over the course of the past 50 years, from the upgrades in equipment and in gear, to the point where they now have really good protective clothing.

“It’s just been to me, awesome; it’s been fun throughout my whole career,” he said. “It’s more like a close-knit family; just like with families you have your times of struggle, but it’s been always good, guys looking out for each other.”

Lilly explained that he moved up the ranks in the fire department from captain to assistant chief to fire chief, adding that he’s enjoying his current stint as assistant fire chief.

“Me and Lynn work great together; we’ve been good friends in school and throughout (life),” he said. “I enjoyed a lot.”

Lilly said there’s a brotherhood that exists within the fire department, and stressed the importance of being there for each other.

“I seen a lot of stuff that most people would never want to see, we had the fatalities we just had with the kids and stuff (last year’s house fire on Willow Street),” he said. “It’s very hard to get through, but since we have that close-knit group, we work through those trials.”

Overall, Lilly said it’s been great.

“People coming up to you and thanking you; to me it’s good feeling to be able to help someone,” he said. “Most days that we’re there, it’s probably the worst days of their lives.”

But, Lilly cautioned that with firefighting, “it’s not for everyone because of the stuff we see.

“Some people just can’t handle that,” he said. “God gave me the wisdom and the knowledge to do this, and be able to do this to the best of my abilities.”

Lilly said he’s optimistic he still has a few more years left in him to continue doing what he’s done for the past half century.

“50 years, it puts a lot on your family,” he said, adding that he’s grateful for the support he’s received from his wife, Chris, and two daughters. “The support they gave me; I missed a lot of family time because of it, but I think God gave me that to do this, and I try to do it the best of my ability.”

Lilly stressed that’s been “because of the help of my family and their support. I couldn’t have did it without that.”

“I have two grandsons; maybe I can pass it on to them (about), helping the community, getting good friendships that last forever,” he said. “Firefighting is so neat; it shows you a lot, teaches you a lot in life how to help others, put yourself (out there) for other people.”

Lilly said his experience as a firefighter is one he wouldn’t trade for anything.

“It’s been a great run,” he said. “It’s just been a really good ride throughout.”