Tolland Mourning Loss Of Fire Department's 'Captain Zeke'

TOLLAND, CT — A longtime public servant to the town of Tolland has died.

Tolland Fire Department officials Tuesday announced the passing of Honorary Member Dale “Captain Zeke” Zahner. He was 79 and passed away Monday.

Zahner was a combat medic during the Vietnam War. He started off as a volunteer EMT in 1980 with the Tolland Volunteer Ambulance Association. Eight years later, he was hired as a public safety officer/firefighter/EMT in Tolland and was promoted to fire captain in the Tolland Fire Department in 1989.

Zahner taught many classes including CPR, First Aid, and babysitting classes for the community, fire officials said. He also served as a mentor for newer firefighters and EMTs, especially when it came to driving.

"Many current and former members can remember him trying to teach them his driving skills of shifting a non-synchronized transmission without using the clutch in Rescue 240 (the 1978 Mack Recuse Truck) and in ET-140 and ET-240 (the American LaFrance Fire Trucks)," fire officials said.

He was a founding member of the Tolland IAFF Local 3954.

In 2003, Zahner retired from the town of Tolland and Tolland Fire Department after 23 years of service.

After retiring from Tolland, he continued to use his medical skills working as an ER Tech at Rockville General Hospital.

"Captain Zeke, may you rest in peace and we thank you for your service to the Tolland community," fire officials said.

See his full obituary here.