Local crews to honor Swan Lake fire chief Saturday

Community members and local fire departments will pay respects to one of their longest serving fire chiefs Saturday, May 29, at a memorial service in Bigfork.

George "Sonny" Michael Kahn Jr., who held the position of chief of the Swan Lake Volunteer Fire Department for 45 years, will be remembered through a service at 11 a.m. at Lone Pine Cemetery in Bigfork.

Kahn, 76, died in February from a stroke.

Kahn joined the department in 1960. After five years as a firefighter, he became chief and served in that capacity until his death. Mark Brady was appointed to the position in March.

"[Sonny] had a love for the department and the qualified men in it," said Carla Toycen Kahn, his wife of 52 years. "Safety was very important to Sonny. He never missed training, even in other areas of the state."

The firefighters he worked with remember him for his spirit and the way he ran the department.

"He ran it by example, you always felt like he was taking care of his men," said Larry Braillard, a firefighter who worked with Sonny Kahn. "There wasn't a time that he didn't have safety on his mind and his men were first… He always treated me like I was already a fireman even though I was definitely a golfer."

Leon Ostrowski, another firefighter, recalls a three-week stint at a fire camp at Trout Creek, and how despite their size and older equipment Sonny helped prove that his team and his water tenderer could be "the yellow engine that did."

"It was his love for others no matter what and his courage as a man that helped me to be a better man," Ostrowski said.

Joyce Lawrence and her husband Joe celebrated their wedding anniversaries with Carla and Sonny Kahn each year for 50 years, since they were within days of each other. Joyce remembers Sonny for his friendship and his spirit.

"Teasing was the name of the game, and we got along well in that regard," said Joyce, who joined the fire department in 1974. "Sonny always politely looked out for me, being the only woman involved at the time. It didn't mean that I wasn't to pull my weight and do the same things everyone else had to do, but he was always there to make sure that I was OK."

After five decades in the department, Kahn's absence has been apparent, members say.

"Sonny's passing has left us with a huge hole in our department, our community and our hearts," firefighter Randy Gordon said.

Fellow firefighter Kyle Luckow acknowledged that Kahn's attitude of service will be missed.

"His worn out fire boots will be hard to fill," Luckow said.

Kahn was born in Hinsdale and grew up in the Flathead Valley. He graduated from Flathead High School in 1952.

Outside of the fire department, Kahn served in a high school seat on the Bigfork School Board when his daughter Kelly was in high school in the 1970s.

Kahn was also known for being seen in the winter out plowing the driveways and private roads of community members with his Ford tractor.

"Whatever needed to be done, they called on Sonny," Carla said. "Anybody else who needed a helping hand, he was there."

He was also known for having a sharp eye and solid shot. At age 15, he won a first place medal as a sharp shooter.

"He was an excellent marksman all his life," Carla said.

The skills served him well during his years in the U.S. Navy on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock in the 1950s. Later in his life, as a hunter, he was known for his "one shot." Hunting was what he looked forward to, Carla said. He tried for 47 years for a moose permit and never got one.

Kahn was a woodsman, whether it was logging or fighting fires.

He worked for Royal Logging and then Plumb Creek for 30 years.

Even after retiring, he bought his own equipment and piled brush for private owners and Plum Creek.

He often said, "I'm tough — I'm a logger."

Chiefs of neighboring departments who worked with Kahn recall his skills as a firefighter and a chief.

"All the years I've known him, he was a good fireman. He had a firefighter's heart," said Marv Eaves, chief of the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department. "For me on a personal level, he was a good friend and mentor."

His fellow firefighters plan to honor him at the memorial service Saturday. A number of departments including Bigfork, Creston, Ferndale, Polson, Swan Lake and West Valley as well as members of the Montana Department of Natural Resources are planning to be present for the memorial.

"He was one of our brothers and our family," said Wayne Loeffler, chief of the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department. "We're going to be part of the process to honor his family. He's going to be missed."

Following the graveside service, a celebration of his life will be held at the Swan Lake Community Hall. Lunch will be served.

Kahn left behind his wife, as well as his daughter Kelly, son-in-law Doug Grant and two grandchildren.

"We love and miss him so much every day," Carla said of her husband. "When an old man dies, a library is gone forever."