The Tioga County community gathered to say a final farewell to Richford Fire Chief John Keener who passed away Thursday.
"I don't think you could go anywhere in Tioga County and not know who John Keener is," said his daughter Tracy.
Dozens gathered at McPherson Funeral Home to pay their respects to the person many described as the center of the community.
"He's always helped people, and he's instilled that value in his children, you know, most of us are in the fire department and we just help, you just don't not help. That's the motto he lived by," said Tracy.
Keener worked at the fire department for more than 25 years and became chief in 2010. Classmates described him as a simple man but a genuinely good guy.
His family says it's a tough loss, not only for themselves, but the entire community.