Pentwater Fire Chief Paul Smith passes away.

Pentwater Fire Chief Paul Smith at the scene of a house fire last June.

Pentwater Fire Chief Paul Smith passes away.

PENTWATER — Pentwater Fire Chief Paul Smith passed away Tuesday, Nov. 16, at the age of 60. 

Chief Smith had served on the fire department for nearly 20 years. 

“Pentwater Fire Department regretfully announces the passing of Fire Chief Paul Smith late Tuesday night,” states a press release issued by the fire department. “Chief Smith had previously battled cancer that returned this past summer. 

“He began firefighting on Pentwater Fire Department in the fall of 2002 and worked his way up the ranks over the years. In 2006, he was promoted to lieutenant and, following the line-of-duty death of Captain John Sayles in 2012, Chief Smith was promoted to captain. 

“In 2014, he was the assistant fire chief until the retirement of longtime Fire Chief Terry Cluchey in 2018. Chief Smith had served as fire chief of Pentwater Fire Department since April of 2018. Over the years, he had also served the department as caretaker and dive team leader.  

“Chief Smith will be remembered by his fire department brothers as a someone that loved the camaraderie of firefighting. He loved serving his community as much as he loved aggressive interior attack inside structure fires. Chief Smith was a builder whose knowledge of construction aided in extinguishing building fires. Chief Smith leaves behind his wife Karen plus many children and grandchildren.”

The fire department will elect a permanent chief in February, said Assistant Fire Chief and Secretary Ray Hasil, who is serving as the interim chief.

Service arrangements will be announced soon.

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