Funeral for retired Albany Fire Chief Larson
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Mourners gathered Monday morning to pay their respects to Former Albany Fire Department Chief James Larson who died last week. Larson spent 32 years with the Albany Fire Department, 13 years as chief.
“No one lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself” was a selected scripture passage during the Catholic funeral mass at the Parish of Mater Christi. The reading from Romans 14:7 was perhaps an eloquent summation of what it means to be a firefighter.
“In all those years I've only met two people who are larger than life, one of whom we've come here to honor today. This man, James Larson,” remarked Revered John Tallman. Larson died on April 16th. The fire department chaplain, ironically surnamed Tallman, recalled first meeting Larson who was large in stature and spirit.
“She finally said ‘The Chief will see you now’, so I got up and walked to the door. And as I got up to walk to the door of his office, all of a sudden this man appeared in the door and he filled the door! I was like oh my God look at this guy!" Tallman said to a laughing congregation.
The reverend gave some insight into what the chief would think of today’s services. “He said I don't really have much use for funerals. Oh, I said really? He said: you spend a lot of money for nothing. I said…you're talking to the wrong guy.” Tallman recalled to the again laughing congregation.
A hymn with an appropriate chorus of “All I ask from you is to forever remember me as loving you" was sung. Family and friends then gave an 'old' wooden cross bearing the chief’s name to the church’s wall — and exchanged it today for his 'crown' (his family walked off with his fireman's helmet).
“He lived out his faith by serving the people of Albany,” Tallman said of the chief. Larson leaves behind a wife, children, and grandchildren. He was 76 years old.