ELLINGTON, N.Y. — A Chautauqua County firefighter was honored during the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial ceremony on Tuesday.
Niel G. “Skip” Frazier, Jr. was a 50 year member of the Ellington Volunteer Fire Department and was the fire commissioner before his death on September 5, 2021. He passed away that Sunday at UPMC Chautauqua.
Frazier was born in Jamestown in 1953 and graduated from Falconer High School. Soon after, he joined the Ellington Highway Department where he worked for over 30 years, according to his obituary.
Frazier is one of 32 firefighters being honored in the 27th annual New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial located in Albany.
“Let us take a moment to remember the 32 courageous firefighters whose lives were dedicated to protecting others. Their names, now forever honored on the Memorial Wall, symbolize the bravery and sacrifice that define our firefighting community,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said. “As we celebrate Firefighter Appreciation Day and Fire Prevention Week, let us not only express our gratitude but also commit ourselves to fire safety and the well-being of those who risk everything for us. Together, we uphold the legacy of these heroes and the values they instill in us all.”
The memorial was dedicated in 1998 as a permanent memorial to honor the memory and heroism of all NYS firefighters who died in the line of duty. As of October 2024, there are now 2,692 names on the wall, with the earliest name from 1811. The memory of fallen firefighters is commemorated during fire prevention week every year.
More information on the memorial and this years recipients can be found here.
