By Bryn Mickle
The Flint Journal
MT. MORRIS TWP. — After losing his home to a 1953 killer tornado, Bennie Zappa spent 45 years building up the Beecher Fire Department.
On Saturday, he’s getting his name on it.
Zappa, 88, retired four years ago after 33 years as head of Beecher’s fire station.
And while his memory is still fresh in the minds of the firefighters he trained, those at what is now called Mt. Morris Township Fire Station No. 3 wanted a more permanent tribute to their longtime chief.
“He was the one who took me to school and showed me the ropes,” Station No. 3 Fire Chief Steve Richardson said.
Zappa joined the then-Beecher Fire Department in 1960, seven years after his West Coldwater Road home was leveled by a tornado that killed 166 people and injured more than 800.
In the next four decades, Zappa was instrumental in turning the station from a one-truck building to what it is now, a four-bay building with two pumpers and two squad trucks, Richardson said.
The 25 paid on-call firefighters pitched in to buy the $1,200 dedication plaque that will be unveiled at Saturday’s ceremony.
Zappa said he is honored to have his name on the fire hall on Louis Avenue off SaginawRoad.
“I didn’t expect it,” said Zappa, who still looksup when he hears a firetruck go by and says he misses the action of a fire call.
But just a little bit.
“I don’t miss getting up at 2 in the morning ... especially in January and February,” he said.
Zappa’s son Dan said it’s fitting recognitionfor a man who put the safey of Beecher residents first.
“It was community first, family second,” Dan Zappa said.
Mt. Morris Township Supervisor Larry Green said Bennie Zappa deserves the honor.
“He was very dedicated to the community,” Green said.
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