WAYNE TOWNSHIP — Rotary phones were the high-end technology when John Semai first joined the Wayne Township Fire Department in 1960.
A lot has changed in the five decades since that decision, but much has stayed the same in Semai’s commitment to his community.
“John is one who when he starts something he finishes it,” said Wayne Township Trustee Art Kuhns. He said he has known Semai since the early 1950s when he moved to the township as a 10-year-old boy and watched him give to his community for more than 50 years.
“I want to thank John on his 50 years of service,” said Ashtabula County Commissioner Joe Moroski. He said people like John often contribute to the community in more than one area of life.
Jeff Thompson, presently the Wayne Township Fire Chief, seconded that detailing Semai’s list of service that have included serving as a Boy Scout leader and deep involvement in the 4-H.
“In 50 years we’ve had 2,500 calls we could find documentation for,” Thompson said of the commitment needed to man a small volunteer department that presently has 17 members.
While Semai is no longer chief of the department, and doesn’t go rushing into burning buildings, he is not sitting on the sidelines either.
“Even 50 years later John is still answering the calls, sometimes by himself,” Thompson said. He said Semai is now an engineer on the department and provides training for many young firefighters and often drives the firetrucks to fires.
Thompson also credited Semai’s wife Shirley for all her efforts to help the fire department during the last 50 years while rearing six children.
Semai’s wife had to spill the beans on the surprise event Friday evening but he said he was still shocked about the event.
Semai said dedication to his community is what kept him going all these years. “Somebody’s got to do it,” he said of the fire department.
A commitment to his job was also a big part of Semai’s life working 47 years for Andover Industries leaving one month before it closed four years ago.
“I was 66 and a half when I retired. There were a lot of fond memories,” Semai said of his job as a molding foreman technician. He said former employees still gather for a meal the first Saturday of every month to renew acquaintances.
“It’s been a lot of good experiences and a lot of bad experiences,” Semai said of the highs and lows of firefighting that sometimes involve seeing death up close and personal.
He said it was gratifying to help people who were in need at traffic accidents and other emergencies.
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