Dozens of Andover residents gathered recently at the newly named William T. Downs Fire Station in Ballardvale.
“He would have liked to be here a lot,” said Reginald “Buzz” Stapczynski, the former town manager Downs worked for. Downs died in 2019.
Stapczynski recalled Downs was always happy to take part in any town festivity and event, including the annual Santa Claus Parade, which Downs created with two other firefighters.
The fire station was named for Downs because of his commitment to the town, serving as a professional firefighter and volunteering in numerous capacities, said Town Manager Andrew Flanagan.
Downs’ family has also been an integral part of Andover, with his wife Bunny and two of his three daughters also working for the town, Stapczynski said, thanking them for their service as well.