The Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company and Erie County Emergency services are mourning the loss of an irreplaceable colleague and friend.
Randy Rider, a two-term fire chief at Sheridan Park and an Erie County certified fire instructor, passed away suddenly Tuesday night, leaving behind a wife, children, and a legacy of training Western New York firefighters to be safe. "His passion was to make sure everyone went home safe,” said Tom Partridge, a New York State fire instructor and Rider’s close friend.
A fourth generation firefighter, Rider had a big footprint, both literally and figuratively and in the firefighting community.
"If you ever saw Randy he was a big man, but a gentle man. He always had a way with people that was unbelievable, and he had a passion for the fire service and for training,” Partridge said.
Rider’s passing has stunned the Sheridan Park Volunteer Fire Company, where both his father and brother are still active members.
Not only did he serve Tonawanda, but also all of Erie County as a county fire instructor.