VIDEO: Lt. Lenny Adler died July 10, just three weeks after he was recognized by the Maine state Legislature for serving 60 years with the Otisfield Fire Department. Adler joined the department as a firefighter in 1965. He served as fire chief from 1982 to 1984. He also served as assistant chief, and the current chief, Kyle Jordan, credits Adler for purchasing the department’s first factory-built fire truck. Jordan referred to Adler as a pillar of the department. Otisfield firefighters are on call 24/7, and the chief explained they all work full-time jobs in addition to their duties with the department. Adler was a career mechanic, a town selectman, former road commissioner and health officer, a father, a friend, and a neighbor to many.
“He was hardworking, dedicated,” said Jordan. “He loved the town of Otisfield. He loved his neighboring communities. He loved to help. He loved to be involved.” Jordan said Adler had a passion for helping his community. That commitment was highlighted at the Maine State House on June 17 when Adler was recognized as a guest of Rep. Caldwell Jackson and Sen. Rick Bennett for his decades of service. Jordan recalled that moment and said, “Everybody there just made him feel so welcomed and loved hearing his story and kept congratulating him on his retirement. He’d say, ‘Oh no, no. I’m not retired. I’m not retired at all. I’m still doing this.'” Jordan could not estimate the number of hours Adler spent on the job in his lifetime, but commented, “To give up your family time and your personal time as much as he did over the course of 60 years is absolutely incredible. It’s almost unimaginable. It really is.”
As the fire department, the Otisfield community, and Adler’s family and friends mourn their loss, they hope the lessons they have learned from him carry on. “Lenny had a motto,” said Jordan. “‘We came into the room as friends and neighbors. When we leave, we leave as friends and neighbors.’ We can agree, we can disagree, but at the end of the day, we’re friends and neighbors. That has stuck with me for as long as I’ve heard him say that. I think that’s important in today’s day in age.” A funeral service was held at the Spurr’s Corner Fire Station on Saturday, July 19.
