FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –

Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company announces the passing of Past Chief and Life Member Howard "Pete" James Link

Westminster, MD - Howard James Link, 85, of Westminster, Maryland, died Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the BridgingLife Dove House. Known to many as "Pete", he was born July 27, 1939, in Spangler, Pennsylvania. He was the second son of the late Albert James Link and Hilda Marie (Anna) Link and brother to the late Merle Albert Link, all of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.

After graduating from high school, he joined AT&T as a lineman and enjoyed a 43-year career with the company before retiring in 1999. As a master electrician, he did many, many "wiring jobs" for friends and family over the years. He also spent a few years operating a small engine repair business.

On January 10, 1963, then 23-year-old Howard submitted his application for membership to the Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company where for the next 62 years, he faithfully served the Company and Community in a variety of elected and appointed positions, most notably as Fire Chief, Fire Officer, and longtime Board Member.

In 1964, he completed his basic firefighter certification and then went on to complete the Carroll County Fire Chief's Basic Officers School in 1967. In 1968 he became a driver of Reese emergency apparatus. Over the years, Howard continued to add additional certifications to his vast and impressive resume which included Tactics, Pumps, Special Fires, Truck Ops, Firefighter III, Basic Rescue, Rescue Tech, Rural Water Supply, Arson Investigation for Officers and he was even certified as a BLS Provider in the 1980's. This was just the tip of the iceberg of knowledge and certifications that Howard had received as a first-class firefighter and emergency responder.

In 1977, Howard was appointed Assistant Chief and served alongside his dear friend and colleague Berlin "Jake" Caple, who served as Fire Chief from 1969 to 1980. It was then that Howard was elected Fire Chief of Reese from 1981 through 1983. After that, he served again as Assistant Chief under Chief Joseph Spangler, Sr, and Chief Marion "Jr" Davidson.

In 1966 he first served as a delegate to the Carroll County Volunteer Fireman's Association. He was first elected to the Board of Directors of Reese in 1969, where he served as a Trustee until 1980, a position he would again retain in 1984-1988 and again in 1991-1996. Howard served as the company's First Vice President in 1990.

Howard became a Life Member of Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company in 1988. He was inducted into the Carroll County Volunteer Fireman's Association Hall of Fame on May 15, 1999, and received the prestigious Firefighter of the Year Award from Reese in 2017. Howard was a trusted mentor and an extremely reliable volunteer at many fundraising events at Reese for over six decades.

Perhaps most notably, Howard served as the electrician for Reese's annual fireman's carnival and oversaw the maintenance and upkeep of Reese's emergency apparatus, building, and grounds until his "retirement" in 2023... But don't think for a moment that Howard wasn't keeping a watchful eye on things in and around the Station for the past two years.

Current Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company Fire Chief Andrew Wooden states "Throughout his decades of commitment, Chief Link embodied the values of courage, leadership, and selflessness. His contributions, both as a firefighter and as a trusted mentor to many, have shaped the foundation of our department and inspired generations of volunteers. His dedication to the safety and well-being of our community will never be forgotten."

Howard is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Mary Carol Link. He was devoted to his family which included their three children, Joyce Danzig (Neil) of Columbia, Maryland, Nancy Merrill (Brent) of Westminster, and Thomas Link (Diane) of Littlestown, Pennsylvania. He cherished their six grandchildren, Lauren Danzig (Bryan), Christopher Link (Nikki), Aaron Danzig, Evan Merrill (Colleen), Cara Link (Kyle), and Greg Merrill (Cameron), and their three great-grandchildren, Landon, Sophie, and Aubrey.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 4-7 P.M. at Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company, 1745 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster, MD 21157. At 7 P.M. a Fire Department Memorial Service will be held.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 17, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company. The interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company.

For more information about Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company, please visit our website www.reesevfc.org.

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