We lost a good friend and wonderful guy to work with at the end of August when Bertram “Bert” E. Kelley, life member and fire police officer of both the Noank and Oakdale fire departments, died of cancer. Our lives will never be the same without him.

Bert held onto the down-east accent and dry wit from his formative years in Maine. He became a Navy sonar technician in 1947 and wed his “copilot,” Alice Gaudreault, in South Berwick, a few years later. Bert served in the Korean War and left the Navy in 1955. They set down roots close to Bert’s parents, who’d moved to Connecticut, and raised four kids in Montville.

When Bert’s parents passed away, he and Alice relocated to their home in Noank. The senior Kelleys were well known for their festive outdoor Christmas light display ... you couldn’t miss it from space! Not to be outdone, Bert added to the yard decorations and then turned his efforts inside with a large electric train set that took up half the living room.

Ed first worked with Bert when Ed was busy trying to control traffic for the Noank Fire Department’s centennial anniversary parade in 1995. The route included the village and ended at Esker Point Beach. Understandably, residents of Groton Long Point weren’t pleased about waiting. Bert jumped out of his car and asked if he could help. Though he’s a dozen years Ed’s senior, Bert bounced around like a young buck. They made quite the pair, Ed a lumbering Herman Munster lookalike, Bert a spry leprechaun. Ed used to kid Bert that his size made him harder for drivers to notice ... he needed to wave his arms. Bert would reply that he was the perfect height ... Ed made for a much larger, slower target, so he’d get hit first.

After 57 years of marriage, Alice passed away in 2007. Bert was crushed but kept right on enjoying life as best he could, continuing to also work full-time as a security guard, always on his feet walking around or supervising roads. He took his “vacation” days to walk around the mansions in Newport, R.I.

His son, Peter, and wife, Heidi, moved in to help around the house. Needless to say, the Christmas displays continued to expand inside and out. Bert stayed on with Noank Fire Police and adapted to newer equipment and modern regulations ... heavier tourist traffic kept him happily bustling about town.

We will always remember Bert for his indomitable spirit, friendly disposition and wry sense of humor. We know he is already sorely missed by his family, especially his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and, yes, great-great grandchildren who called him “Beepa.”

Bert fit a lot into 93 years on earth. Noank was lucky to have him as long as we did.

A memorial service for Bertram “Bert” E. Kelley will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Noank Baptist Church.

Ed Johnson and his daughter Lacy live in Noank.