By Gary Taylor
Orlando Sentinel (Florida)
Copyright 2007 Sentinel Communications Co.
WINTER SRPING, Fla. — Timothy James Lallathin truly started at the bottom and worked his way to the top.
Lallathin joined the Winter Springs Fire Department in March 1974 as a volunteer firefighter and, about two years later, became just the fifth paid firefighter in the city. His first paycheck: $301.67, and that was for two weeks’ work.
Lallathin was promoted to four different positions before becoming chief in December 1991.
With a yearlong battle with cancer drawing to a close, Lallathin, 49, retired May 4. He died at his home Thursday, with his family at his bedside.
“He was just an outstanding individual,” said Winter Springs police Chief Daniel Kerr. “He was a great fire chief, family man and friend.”
Lallathin was diagnosed with colon cancer in early 2006, and by that time, it also had spread to his liver, family said.
Few people could have dealt with the situation the way Lallathin did, Kerr said. “He handled it with grace and dignity and strength.”
Lallathin was well-respected throughout the fire service in Central Florida.
“What a prince of a guy,” said Gary Kaiser, public-safety director in Lake County. “Tim personified the term `public service.’ ”
Winter Springs Mayor John Bush last month delivered a proclamation to Lallathin after city commissioners voted to name the city’s main fire station in his honor.
And in a show of respect not often given to members of management, the Fire Department’s union presented him with a ceremonial fire ax in recognition of his career.
“They loved him so much as a chief,” said Deputy fire Chief Dave O’Brien. “He was a fireman’s fireman.” Because he had come up through the ranks, Lallathin “knew what it was all about,” he said.
Lallathin worked up until shortly before his health forced him to retire.
“He was there before we got there in the morning,” O’Brien said.
Lallathin will have a traditional firefighter’s funeral Tuesday, with a service at 10:30 a.m. at Metro Church on State Road 434, near S.R. 417 in Winter Springs, followed by a procession to All Faiths Memorial Park in Casselberry with the coffin transported atop a firetruck.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Pam; one son, T.J. Jr.; one daughter, Tiffany Lallathin; his parents, the Rev. Jacob A. and Ruby Lallathin; three brothers, Mickey, Danny and Phillip, all of Winter Springs; and one sister, Debbie Hodges of Kissimmee.
Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Oaklawn Chapel, Sanford, is handling arrangements.