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As a teenager, Louis Gornik helped fight fires in Ely when older members of the city’s fire crew went off to fight in World War II.
After his own military service, Gornik joined the Ely Fire Department and served for nearly a decade.
And long after he stopped fighting fires, Gornik maintained a connection with the department and had regular conversations with former fire chief Tom Erchull.
The ties between Gornik and the EFD were only strengthened, and figure to continue for decades, despite Gornik’s passing last August.
In an announcement that brought applause, and even a couple of gasps of shock inside City Hall, it was made public Tuesday that Gornik’s estate included a $550,000 gift to the fire department.
Bernie Palcher, the trustee for Gornik’s state, presented the check to Erchull and in front of the city council, current fire chief Dave Marshall and many of Ely’s firefighters.
“Louie remembered the fire department,” Palcher said during brief remarks at the startof the council session.
Palcher joked that “I should be wearing my Santa hat,” before announcing the gift.
Gornik, who worked for 37 years as the business manager for the Ely School District, passed away last year at the age of 98.
“At the time he was believed to be the last surviving World War II veteran born and remaining in Ely,” said Palcher.
Before joining the Navy, Gornik gained his first connection with the fire department as a teen.
“He was young, like 13 or 14 years old and he and some high school students came and helped fight fires during the war,” said Palcher. “So he’s got a little history with the fire department for sure.”
Gornik then went off to military service, working as a radio operator in the South Pacific, both during World War II and the Korean conflict.
Gornik formally joined the EFD in April of 1950 and was a member for nine-anda- half years.
He continued to maintain an interest in the department, long after hanging up his helmet.
Gornik had regular conversations with Erchull.
“Tom was a good friend to Louie,” said Palcher. “He took the time to visit with Louie and kept him in touch with department business.”
Both Erchull and another retired Ely fire chief - Gary Klun - were in attendance for the announcement along with members of the department.
A grateful Marshall spoke on behalf of the EFD.
“‘This kind of gift is a game changer for any sort of fire department, especially a volunteer department in a small town,” said Marshall. “This will have a tremendous impact.”
Marshall credited Erchull “for the time he spent with Louie. That kind of connection certainly impacted this decision.”
Gornik’s gift is earmarked for equipment and training, and Marshall promised to keep the Gornik estate up to speed about how the money will be spent.
“‘We recognize as the benefactor that there’s some responsibility that comes with this as well,” said Marshall. “We’ll be sure to communicate with you as we make decisions.”
