I'm soo sorry for your loss.. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

My first memory of Mr. Klafehn was of him staring angrily at me from his front yard, hands on his hips and a gaze of disapproval. I was disciplining my dog a bit too harshly for his liking it seemed, and he began to chastise me for my conduct. I barked some expletives and exclaimed that good neighbors minded their own business. He exclaimed he hoped we would not be neighbors for long. I let him know it was likely as I was buying the house. He walked away clearly perturbed and frustrated. Shortly thereafter I did purchase the home across from the Klafehn's and one day I approached Mr. Klafehn, asking if I could have a word. I told him that I wanted no animosity between us, I explained the situation with my dogs, and we shook hands. From this point on we were great neighbors and would always help each other. I would watch his dog and horse when he'd go camping or help him with his chimney, anything he needed he could call me. And likewise, if I needed to borrow a tool, or have him pick up my mower for me he was there. Mr. Klafehn was a good neighbor; I will miss him and I will always picture him out mowing his lawn which he absolutely loved to do. God bless you Mr. Klafehn.

We, of the Monroe County Volunteer Fire Police Association, are very saddened to learn of the passing of Chris. He was the first President of the Association, and served for five years as we were just getting started again. He also was an active member of VFPASNY, and drove over the western 12 counties of the State, spreading news about Fire Police, and ensuring that new laws, training and equipment were getting to all the Fire Police. As a young fire police captain in Clarendon, Chris was great in being a mentor to me and others in the "Battalion II" fire police Association.

Men like Chris, who had life long committments to his wife and family, the volunteer fire service, and his church, are as rare as diamonds nowadays. We know the current membership in Fire Police is never going to be matched, as more and more departments are going paid.

We had hoped Chris could attend our last banquet-celebrating 35 years, but sadly we never heard back from him. We want the family to know our Association would never have gotten off the ground again, if it wasn't for Chris' strong leadership. We send our heartfelt sympathy to his family, and his Walker Fire Dept. family.