BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

POTSDAM — West Stockholm Fire Chief Robert White died Thursday night doing what he had done thousands of times before, helping others.

White collapsed last evening after responding to a fire that destroyed a house at 415 State Highway 11B.

“He lived near the home so he responded quickly,” said St. Lawrence County Coroner June Wood.

After White collapsed, he was taken by ambulance to the hospital where attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. She said White was pronounced dead in the Canton-Potsdam Hospital emergency room.

“He was a pillar in the community,” Wood said.

White was not only the West Stockholm fire chief, he also served as deputy fire coordinator for District 3, ran the Potsdam Youth Baseball Association for many years and was always helping others.

“He was dedicated to fire service and was a wonderful man,” Wood said. “He will be missed by a lot of people.”