A highly revered member of the Palmerton Fire Department left a lasting impression on all those who knew him.

Several borough officials shared their poignant remembrance of former borough fire Chief Joe Kercsmar at Thursday’s borough council meeting.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Councilwoman Holly Hausman Sell requested a moment of silence for Kercsmar, who passed away Feb. 20. He was 73 years old.

Sell noted that Kercsmar was employed by the borough for over 43 years, and a member of the Palmerton Fire Department for 57 years.

She said Kercsmar remained involved throughout the borough, and that the community was so lucky to have him.

“It’s a huge loss for our community,” said Sell, who added Kercsmar has left big shoes to fill. “He was an inspiration.”

Borough Mayor Don Herrmann thanked the Palmerton Fire Department for the memorial, which he said was a “touching tribute.”

Services for Kercsmar were held earlier in the day at Campton Funeral Home along Delaware Avenue.

Borough police Chief Tim Kromer said his department would also like to extend their condolences to Kercsmar’s family.

Council President Terry Costenbader mirrored that feeling.

“There’s no question we’re going to miss him,” Costenbader said.

Sell also thanked the police department for managing the streets to accommodate a number of big fire trucks.

She said Kercsmar’s wife, Joann, expressed to her, “I don’t know how I can thank everybody.”

“I talked to Joann,” Sell said. “She was extremely touched (by) the outpouring of support.”

A lifelong member of the Palmerton Volunteer Fire Company, he worked his way up from junior firefighter in 1968, to becoming fire chief of both Departments #1, and #2 West End.

Kercsmar also served as EMA coordinator for the borough.

Various local fire departments throughout the region recognized Kercsmar with tributes on social media.