Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Former Malvern fire chief succumbs
Paul Wilkins, who served the borough for 37 years, loses battle with cancer
Paul Wilkins, who began his career in fire service when he was a teen, died earlier this week after a two-year battle with colon cancer. He was 53.
Wilkins president and former chief of the Malvern Fire Co., who served the community for 37 year, was honored at a fundraiser Thursday at the Great American Pub in Paoli. The fundraiser was to help defray Wilkins’ medical expenses, but now will be used to help defray funeral expenses.
Christopher Gastwirth, chief of the Malvern Fire Co., recalled the first time he met Wilkins.
“I had come to the firehouse to get my application for membership,” he said. “Wilkins was leaning against the pool table in the lounge. He introduced himself, escorted me around the building , showed me the apparatus and told me about the fire school classes I would have to take.”
Later, recalled Gastwirth, “after I had gotten to know him well, I decided I wanted to be like him. He taught me how to be a leader: not to bark orders but to be part of the group, to listen, be approachable, show an interest in the person you’re talking to and, most of all, be a team player.”
Wilkins mentored hundreds of young aspiring firefigthers.
Although he was strict, he loosened up outside the firehouse, said Gastwirth. “When we got together at parades, picnics, birthday parties and other events, you could often count on him to be hooting and hollering with everybody else.”
It came as a shock to all the members of the company “when we learned about his illness.“Despite the seriousness of the situation, said Gastwirth, “his morale is good, his spirits are high and company members are regular visitors at his house.
Wilkins joined Malvern Fire Co. at the age of 16 as a junior firefighter. In subsequent years, he advanced from firefighter to lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and, from 2006 to 2012, as chief. He also served as administrative trustee and is currently in his third year as president.
One of his proudest moments occurred in August 2010 when he and then Assistant Chief Neil Vaughn accepted a plaque from the SPCA, commending their squad for outstanding bravery during a house fire in February 2009. At the time of the fire, the house was unoccupied except for two dogs, one of which was cowering behind furniture, when the firefighters entered the home and rescued them. An SPCA spokesperson said the situation was “pretty scary” and “you don’t see actions as heroic as what these gentlemen did for these dogs.”
Wilkins often would tell his fellow firefighters “A chief’s gear should be as dirty and stink just as much as his crews.”
In recent years, Wilkins worked in police administration in West Goshen Township.
He and Beth, his wife of over 30 years, have a 13-year-old daughter, Erin.
A viewing will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday at St. Joseph’s Church in Downingtown. Funeral services will be held at the church at 10 a.m. Friday.