Loved ones, first response family grieve loss of leader

LEWIS | A heavy haze of grief settled over Essex County and beyond as family, friends, co-workers and a cadre of first responders throughout the region tried to come to grips with the loss of a leader. Essex County Office of Emergency Services (OES) Director Max Thwaits III died unexpectedly early Monday. He was 40 years old. Many were left reeling, lost for words, searching for the right way to offer condolences to Thwaits' family, including his parents, his life partner Lori Kilburn, adult children and their grandchildren. Thwaits spent his entire life serving others and the community. He first joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from AuSable Valley Senior High School in 2001, post 9/11. He served four years and one month as a Damage Controlman working in the Norfolk Virginia area. He became a public safety dispatcher for Essex County Emergency Services in 2007. In what became his life's work, Thwaits continued to grow and thrive with the OES as it moved into new headquarters in Lewis, becoming assistant director and 911 coordinator in 2019. Thwaits was named OES director last year, attaining his moniker: Car 1. It was a hire championed by first response agencies, EMS, firefighters and peers from all over Essex County and the State of New York. Through all of the years on dispatch, Thwaits continued to volunteer with area fire and ambulance companies in Ausable Forks and in Jay, where he lived. He was assistant chief with the Jay Volunteer Fire Department and named their Firefighter of the Year in 2015. He also earned his bachelor's degree from SUNY Empire College that year in Crisis, Disaster and Emergency Management. In 2016, then president of the AuSable Forks Ambulance Service, Thwaits received the regional leadership award for EMS. "Since Max has taken over as president, we have purchased new stair chairs, a new ambulance, increased our volunteer numbers and reduced our average response time from eight minutes to three minutes," the ambulance company said at the time. "During this time, Max also worked as an Essex County dispatcher, served as an Assistant Chief and President with the Jay Vol. Fire Dept, as a fire investigator and county fire coordinator, and earned his EMT certificate and a bachelor's degree in Emergency Management." He also served as an Intelligence Liaison Officer (ILO) for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Thwaits became county OES director upon the retirement of Don Jaquish, who searched for words Monday to process an immense sense of loss. "He worked his entire life to help others. He was a very kind man. He was one of the good ones," Jaquish told the Sun. A moment of silence was held at the Essex County Supervisors meeting Monday morning, Sept. 19, as department heads paid tribute to Thwaits' years of service. IN MEMORIAM The sentiment resounded as many first response agencies, friends, neighbors and colleagues shared tributes via social media. The Jay Volunteer Fire Department expressed shock and sadness with their loss via social media. "Today makes this no easy task as we try to comprehend what has happened. Today we mourn the loss of one of our own Max Thwaits lll. Max was a dedicated member of our department for many years along with his service in all of Essex County emergency services. Today we say goodbye to an honorable man, but that man we have a privilege to call our brother. Max your dedication to your community will definitely not go unnoticed. It was an honor to serve by your side, but now it is time to let us take it from here. You and Tristan can work together to watch our 6. RIP Brother we are gonna miss you." Friend and colleague Dale Nolan paid heartfelt, heartbreaking homage. "As I sit here and reflect on the tragic news of the passing of a genuinely caring man, I find myself grateful that some of us are born of such a loving family that teach that giving to and caring for others is a joy that you only experience when you have done it," Nolan wrote. "To give up countless hours to help your neighbor or a complete stranger with no expectation of thanks or reward. To miss Family events and Roast Beef Dinners only with the hope of helping a person in need," he said. "Some of us find a calling to take the next steps and be a leader in Emergency Service and bear the responsibility of saving lives and property. Max Thwaits III you filled those shoes with pride and honor," Nolan said. "Your caring and dedication to the people you have served will never be forgotten. ...We will never understand why your last bell has been sounded. Know that, because of your dedication and mentoring to the members of the Emergency Services, you will help save lives and property for generations to come. "As the tone of your last bell echoes in my heart, I want you to know you can rest easy. Your brothers and sisters in Emergency Services have it from here. God Bless You." Another colleague, county paramedic Michael Watts, said the entire emergency services family has lost a true asset. "Max Thwaits III was one of the first people that I had the pleasure to work with and learn from when I started working for the Office of Emergency Services as a dispatcher in 2017. Working with Max was always a great time, no matter what was happening, we would get things done and laugh and share our comments behind the headset." Having moved from OES to take a full-time EMS position, Watts said Thwaits reaction made him "feel incredibly proud of the work I had done and he asked me to stay on per-diem. ... A couple years later I called Max and told him that I was ready to come back to Essex County full time, but not as a dispatcher...instead as a Paramedic. "That has brought me into one of the greatest jobs I could have and a career I look forward to for a lifetime! Max," Watts wrote, "I sincerely appreciate the opportunities you have given me, all that you have taught me and done for me. Rest In Peace Brother, we have it from here." Dispatch colleague Shelby Davis spoke of the immense sense of loss. "Hearts are heavy in the ADKs today for an amazing man, gone entirely too soon. Veteran, public servant, leader, trainer, outdoorsman, firefighter, joker, and all around one of the good guys. Words can't even. My thoughts and heart are with my North Country First Responder family." She added one of Thwaits most repeated lessons: "There are no Os in dispatch, it's a zero." SERVICES BEING PLANNED Heidrick-Zaumetzer Funeral Home in Au Sable Forks is in charge of funeral arrangements. On Monday night, they lit their building in red lights, "For Max." Max's life partner Lori Kilburn saw the lights and responded with gratitude: "What a beautiful tribute. Thank you." The final services and memorial for Max Thwaits III have not yet been announced. But Heidrick-Zaumetzer planned a procession to take place today, Sept. 20, inviting colleagues, emergency response teams, departments and services to line Route 9N in the Hamlet of AuSable Forks at 11:30 a.m., just before noon. "Please come out and show your support to Max's family, friends, and colleagues. We will be traveling from Plattsburgh to the funeral home and are planning to arrive in Au Sable Forks around 11:30 a.m This time may be slightly earlier, or a bit later." The Sun will provide updates as further details are announced.

Signup for our newsletter

Loved ones, first response family grieve loss of leader

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS