A life member of the Lehighton Fire Department may have passed on, but the legacy he left behind will live on in the minds and hearts of those who knew him.

James Hauser Sr., 76, of Mahoning Township, passed away on Monday at St. Luke’s Lehighton Campus. He was the husband of Luciene B. (Minnich) Hauser, whom he was married to for 27 years last April 3.

Hauser spent over 20 years as a firefighter and scuba diver with the Lehighton Fire Department until his retirement.

In 2003, he received the VFW Firefighter of the Year award.

On Tuesday afternoon, the fire department applied black bunting above the bay doors and lowered the flag in Hauser’s honor.

Borough fire Chief Patrick Mriss said Hauser, “was always a kind and gentle individual who was always willing to help somebody, always willing to teach the younger individuals including myself when we came on board as firefighters.”

“Any time someone passes, it’s an unfortunate thing; especially in this time (when) you can’t honor the individual for their dedication and commitment they had to the community,” he said. “So, we’re trying to do the best we can and still honor and pay our respects to him.”

Before his retirement in 1995, Hauser was employed at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 32 years; served as a Carbon County certified deputy coroner for over 21 years; and served as a dispatcher for the Carbon County Communications Center.

Hauser was also a Lehighton ambulance crew member, and served with the EMA Department of Homeland Security.

A life member of Beaver Run Rod & Gun Club and the Lehigh Fire Co. No. 1, Hauser held a membership with Lehighton F&AM Lodge No. 621, and was a past president of The Jukebox Cruisers car club, Jim Thorpe. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, sports, fishing, racing, and spending time with his wife and family.