By BILL O'GUREK wogurek@tnonline.com
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BILL O'GUREK/TIMES NEWS Shawn Hoben, Summit Hill fire chief, will receive the Shamrock Award from the Panther Valley Irish-American Association during the 61st annual dinner planned for St. Patrick's Day in Lansford. |
The Panther Valley Irish-American Association will honor longtime Summit Hill Fire Chief Shawn Hoben when it holds its 61st Annual St. Patty's Day Dinner and Program on Monday, March 17, at the AMVETS Post Home, Lansford.
Hoben, 39, will be named "Irishman of the Year" when he accepts the Shamrock Award from PVIAA president Cory McCarroll.
"I'm stunned; I guess that's the word," he said.
"Stunned" may be putting it mildly for the modest fire chief. In fact, when his brother Tim, a member of the association, asked him if he would accept the honor, Shawn asked, "Is this a joke?"
"I look at that program every year, because it's great to see volunteers recognized. But I never thought I would ever be nominated for something like that," he said. "I look at past recipients, and wonder, where do I belong? There must be a lot more Irish-Americans who better fit the bill of unsung hero than me."
When he accepts the honor, Hoben said, he will do so as a testimony to all firefighters. He explained, "It's a big-time honor, but it's not just about me. It (the honor) tells a lot about volunteer firemen. Hopefully, any recognition that comes out of this will be a boost for firefighters in general. Without volunteers and the network underneath you, we couldn't accomplish what we do."
He added, "In the fire service, you always hear firemen referred to as 'brother.' And that is certainly the case. Every one of the members of our company is like a brother to me. It's one big family. I consider all of them my brothers. Everybody who surrounds me is the reason why we are successful. One person doesn't make a difference. We have good line officers, good firemen, good families."
Hoben added, "First, and foremost, I have to thank my wife (the former Judy O'Donnell). She has been wonderful, and if it wasn't for her, I couldn't do the things that I do, especially with three kids at home."
Born in Coaldale, he is a son of the late Leonard and Catherine (O'Donnell) Hoben. His late mother's birthday was St. Patty's Day. His father worked for Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, before being transferred to New Jersey, causing the family to relocate there. Shawn and his twin brother (Tim) went to elementary school in New Jersey, before enrolling at Panther Valley High School as freshmen when their father took an early retirement from Mack and the family relocated to the Panther Valley.
"My mom always loved the area and wanted to come back, and so we did," Shawn said.
At PVHS, he played football, basketball and baseball before graduating in 1986. In his senior year, he was a member of the Panthers' Schuylkill League and District 11 cage championship team that made it all the way to the Eastern Final before bowing to Wilkes-Barre GAR.
He enrolled at Penn State University, where he pursued a degree in electrical engineering while working part-time for the United Parcel Service. He eventually gained full-time employment with the firm, for which he is now in his 21st year.
Shawn initially lived in Lansford, and was encouraged by two friends, Frank Juracka and Steve Mau, to join the fire company.
"I never realized how much the fire company becomes involved in a community until I became a member," he said. "It was an eye-opening experience."
Hoben said former Summit Hill Fire Chief George Davis "set the foundation" for a solid fire service. "I'll always remember during the company's 100th anniversary, he said, 'It (fire service volunteerism) gets in your blood and doesn't go away,'" Hoben said of Davis.
About his fire company endeavors, Hoben said, "I never wanted to be an officer; I just wanted to volunteer and get involved to help the community." As officers stepped aside, he said, "the transition afforded me a chance, and so I eventually took a leadership position."
He initially served as an assistant engineer and assistant chief, before succeeding Michael Beshock as the chief in 1997.
Now in his 11th year as head of Diligence Fire Company No. 1, he commented, "It went pretty quick. I never really thought about it (the leadership required to head the company), but now this (the honor) comes along. It's overwhelming a little bit."
He and his wife were married in 1999. They have three children, Abigail, 7, and Shawn, 6, students at Panther Valley Elementary School, and Riley, 3.
Hoben comes from a family steeped in Irish heritage. Not only was his mother born on St. Patty's Day, but "she loved her great Irish heritage," Shawn said. "She loved St. Patty's Day and loved her nationality. All of her children took pride in that as well."
He is one of five children, the others being Leonard Jr., and his wife, Martha, of Whitehall (incidentally, they were married on St. Patty's Day); Patty, wife of David Langton of Middlesex, N.J.; Terry, and his wife, Sally, of Boundbrook, N.J.; and Tim, and his wife, Mary, of Coaldale.
Shawn said he and his brothers Len, who is involved in the fire service, and Terry, who is employed in emergency services, "constantly talk about the fire and emergency services." He added, "We trade information all the time, and that sort of thing makes us better in our roles, and our departments better too. I leaned on Terry countless times. But both of them have helped me to develop my own skills."
The fire chief is a member of the Four-County Firemen's Association, a delegate to the Carbon County Firemen's Association; member of the Standard Operating Guidelines Committee of the Carbon County Fire Chiefs; and a former trustee of Diligent Fire Company.
He has earned numerous certifications in fire instructions from the state Fire Commissioner's office, including Firefighter I certification and qualifications in Vehicle Rescue Techniques and Haz-Mat Operations, among many others.
He and his family worship at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Summit Hill.
In his spare time, Shawn plans to be a T-ball coach in the Summit Hill Little League Association.
The banquet will begin with cocktail hour from 5-6 p.m., followed by the dinner and program. Tickets to the event can be obtained by contacting Emmett McCall, Lansford, (570) 645-2093; Robert Crampsie, Summit Hill, (570) 645-7621; Bob Ames, Coaldale, (570) 645-3587; and John Tracy, Tamaqua, (570) 668-4709.