Conference room dedicated to Ben Bragg Jr.

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 1/5/22

On New Years Day, the Highland Fire Commissioners named their meeting room the Benjamin A. Bragg Commissioners Conference Room in honor of his 52 years of service to the Highland Hose Company No 1 …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Conference room dedicated to Ben Bragg Jr.

Posted

On New Years Day, the Highland Fire Commissioners named their meeting room the Benjamin A. Bragg Commissioners Conference Room in honor of his 52 years of service to the Highland Hose Company No 1 from July 15, 1969 until September 13, 2021. A picture of the late Benjamin Bragg and a special plaque now hang in the Commissioner’s room that acknowledges his long service to the fire department and to the people of the Town of Lloyd.

Board Chairman Stephen DiLorenzo said, “In 1989 Ben started plans for the new firehouse and through his perseverance we got the building. In 1990 we got approval and started construction, which he oversaw for the entire year and it was dedicated in May 1992.”

Bragg also successfully lobbied to establish the community room inside the firehouse and initiated ambulance services at the building 24/7 since the mid 1990s. In 2005 he helped create a space for the Police Department at their site.

“This was his dream, an emergency services building that you see today,” DiLorenzo said. “Many departments throughout the Hudson Valley compliment what we have and most people want this but are unable to put it together but with Ben’s doing, support from the board and the taxpayers, we were able to do it.”

DiLorenzo said Bragg meant a lot to the members of the firehouse and to his family.

“He was very special to all of us and he’ll never be forgotten,” DiLorenzo said.

Kathy Bragg said, “I am very proud of my husband. We were married for 51 years and he got in [fire department] just before we got married.”

Kathy remembers that when he came to her house he also brought along his fire gear, should he need to break away for a fire call.

“He had a vision not only for the fire department but for his [electrical] business and for his children,” she said. “What he accomplished is amazing.”

Kathy recalled that many times Ben asked what she thought about a particular idea.

“I said, honey, you’ve done good so far, so if you think it will work, let’s do it,” she said. “He had a vision, he knew what he wanted for the town, for the people. He was a very caring person and he was all about people.”

Kathy said she was glad her family was able to attend the ceremony.

“They are all so proud of him,” she said.