In Memoriam

Kim Elick started with Dolan’s Fire in August of 2006 and spent the last 17 years as an integral part of the company’s growth and success. As Operations Manager, Kim performed just about every job at Dolan’s at one time or another – an accomplishment of which she was fiercely proud. In Kim’s unique way she used this as a motivational tool for colleagues – reminding them that she could easily do their jobs (and her own) if the work wasn’t up to par! Kim was afraid of no task and would do whatever was needed to keep Dolan’s running smoothly. She relished having a clean, organized office and warehouse and wasn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves to ensure our facilities were always in order. She also assumed the role of office mom – stocking the fridge with water and Coke, dispensing Advil when necessary, and listening to her co-worker’s problems.

Most of our customers and vendors interacted with Kim at some point or another. At any time, Kim could be found entering a customer order while also calling a vendor to check on the status of a purchase order – her multitasking skills serving her well. Kim was old fashioned – always preferring the personal touch of a phone call over an email. And for those of you who spoke with her on the phone you knew she was always willing to listen and trade a good story or two. In fact, many customers were regular callers at the end of the day when they knew Kim would be available to take their order and have a few laughs.

Kim was a fighter – literally and figuratively – something of which she would also remind her colleagues! But her illness snuck up on her quickly. She beat cancer two times with the third time proving too much for our tough but big-hearted co-worker. We will miss Kim tremendously but consider ourselves lucky to have known her as a great co-worker, and an even greater friend. Rest in Peace, Kim.

Paul Decker worked at Dolan’s Fire from 2009 to 2018. Paul was our second full time employee in order fulfillment. Having worked for himself in the construction / carting business, Paul quickly learned the business under the tutelage of his colleague, Ken Barychko. Paul was hard working and nicely rounded out the fulfillment end of our growing business. A huge Eagles and Phillies fan, Paul loved to talk sports and playfully spar with any Giants or Yankee fan willing to listen. Paul left in 2018 to pursue other opportunities, but stayed in touch with the staff over the years, having built lasting friendships while at Dolan’s. Rest in Peace, Paul.

Ken Barychko was the first full time employee at Dolan’s Fire. Ken worked for the company from 2005 to 2018 in order fulfillment. Ken had worked for the US Postal Service in bulk distribution and brought many of the skills he had learned over the years to our fledgling supply business. Ken helped set up our first commercial warehouse and took pride in the early strides we made in building out our product line and stocking our shelves. Ken was a McGiver of sorts – always figuring out a way to fix something or a better way to do something. Ken’s box packing abilities were second-to-none, and he loved to educate new employees on the art of a properly packed box. His teaching instructions were nuanced. When taping a box you might have heard him say “… The tape – it likes to be rubbed.” Ken was one of a kind and a significant part of our story. Practices put in place under Ken’s direction 20 years ago are still used today and his name comes up frequently with an employee occasionally being overheard to say – “I don’t know – is that how Ken would have done it?” At the end of the day, Ken was right – “the tape likes to be rubbed.” Rest in Peace, Ken.

Gerry Straut was our first full time salesman at Dolan’s Fire. Gerry worked for the company from 2006 to 2017. Prior to joining Dolan’s, Gerry spent his career with Walter Kidde Company and then Badger Fire Protection selling fire extinguishers and pre-engineered systems to fire equipment distributors. Gerry was a natural fit for Dolan’s – building on his existing relationships with long time customers and helping us expand. Gerry was integral to our early growth.

Gerry was a salesman’s salesman, learning his trade when a sale was often secured during a card game under a cloud of smoke and the sale inked with a handshake. While Zoom and email may have replaced the card game and the handshake, Gerry’s salesmanship is still copied today. In fact, we have manufacturer sales representatives call on us today who tell us they learned by watching Gerry in action. Gerry lived by his word and his commitment to his customer – a foundation that served him well. Gerry was a legend in the business and is sorely missed. Rest in Peace, Gerry.