Longtime call firefighter, chaplain Ron Lachapelle, 'Mr. Rochester,' dies at 81

Ron Lachapelle (Courtesy photo/Rochester Fire Facebook page)

ROCHESTER - A pillar of the city of Rochester and a legend within its Fire Department has died.

Retired Call Force Deputy Chief Ron Lachapelle served with Rochester Fire for 55 years, some 40 years as a call firefighter and 15 as its chaplain.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Retired Call Force Deputy Chief Ron Lachapelle," a post today noted on Rochester Fire's Facebook page. "Ron passed at home after a lengthy illness."

Lachapelle also served many years as Rochester Police Department Commissioner as well as its chaplain, too.

Lachapelle was known as "Mr. Rochester" for all of his service to the city's fire and police departments as well as his extensive community service over the years.

Lachapelle retired in January of last year at the age of 80.

Lachapelle began his career as a call firefighter in 1962. He also served 30 years as a city police commissioner from 1975-2005.

No exact date of Lachapelle's death was released.

This story will be updated.