With deep, abiding sadness, the officers and members Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company announce the passing of long-time member Donald “Don” Owens on August 25, 2021.

Mr. Owens was an ardent booster, supporter, and cheerleader for our organization. He helped with many administrative activities, such as the different fund-raisers we host. He was especially dedicated to helping with BINGO, when we still hosted that activity. Although he lived in Betterton, he was one of our Fire Police. As his availability allowed, he would come out to help with traffic control, usually on the larger, more time-consuming incidents we occasionally handled. In addition, he would usually show-up when our Fire Police personnel were asked to help with community events.

Mr. Owens loved to joke, and always had a smile and encouraging word for everyone. This writer affectionately remembers something that happened with Mr. Owens back in the late-80’s. At the time, working as a 9-1-1 / Public Safety Dispatcher, this writer was working a night shift at the dispatch center in the basement of the Kent County Courthouse. It was winter and the county was exceptionally quiet. Around 3:30 – 4 am, a 9-1-1 call rang in. Answering it, Mr. Owens recognized this writer’s voice. He said… “Larry? It’s Don Owens! I’ve got three boats on fire down here at Great Oak!” (At the time, he was working security at Great Oak Marina.) With an impertinence this writer still finds remarkable, this writer replied “Oh, S***!” From then on, every time he saw this writer, he would teasingly bring it up, knowing it would elicit a mutual laugh. The last time he got to tease this writer about it was just two days before his untimely passing.

Please join us in remembering Mr. Don Owens, and offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and the many people whose lives he directly and indirectly made a positive impact on through his many and varied civic activities.

Arrangements were handled by the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech. The viewing was held Sunday, August 29 from 6 to 8 pm, then again on Monday August 30 from 11 am to 1 pm, there at the funeral home. Interment followed in the Still Pond Cemetery. The family suggested donations to the Betterton VFC.