At 99.9 years old and long retired from the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department, Norman Hurlburt thought of his career as mostly unexceptional — a job he did well, but no more so than that of his fellow firefighters.
So he was surprised Tuesday to receive star treatment on the eve of his 100th birthday as a crowd of more than 40 people crammed into the Toledo Firefighters Museum in West Toledo to pay homage to his 34 years with the department and celebrate his upcoming centennial milestone.
Wearing his TFD dress uniform — while mostly ditching his uniform hat for a flat cap — Mr. Hurlburt spent most of the morning of his birthday eve making his way through the crowd of well wishers consisting of retired and active firefighters as well as his adult children and grandchildren.
“This turnout was amazing. I didn’t have any idea this was going to be so big and for so many people here who came to represent the fire department, for one,” he said. “And the fact that so many people thought of how important it was of what I did.”
While the once active runner and bicyclist now uses a walker, Mr. Hurlburt was all smiles as he made his way to different parts of the room to greet the party guests. And although he often sat while attendees took turns to talk with him, he stood when Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong presented him with newly minted department challenge coins that are given to those who have long worked or otherwise supported the department.
He also remained standing when he was was given a copy of a Toledo city council resolution honoring him, as well as to give a brief speech thanking the attendees.
And — of course — he stayed standing for the crowd’s singing of the “Happy Birthday” song.
“This is certainly a milestone for Mr. Hurlburt and, to be honest, having everybody celebrate with him is what the fire department does,” Chief Armstrong said. “We’re all very close-knit, and we love to celebrate and honor people who have served the department and the community.”
Few of those in attendance were old enough to recall working with Mr. Hurlburt, who retired Nov. 2, 1984. Larry Moorehead, at 89, and Gary Crane, 81, both recall Mr. Hurlburt as a hard worker and someone who kept a positive attitude and had the ability to get along with everyone.
Those last two qualities are the ones that can be most difficult to maintain when spending so much time confined at a fire station, Mr. Crane added.
Former Toledo fire chief Mike Wolever, who briefly worked with Mr. Hurlburt in the early 1980s, mostly recalls times spent running with Mr. Hurlburt outside of work, adding he frequently “ran circles” around him.
As he looked over at Mr. Hurlburt on Tuesday, the former chief marveled at his current good health and longevity, which Mr. Wolever attributes in part to his many years of staying active through running and cycling.
And while Mr. Hurlburt is now 100, his mental faculties belie his age, Mr. Wolever said, adding that when the two of them spoke Mr. Hurlburt was able to recall names and events from their shared past that the former chief could not.
“He convinces me that if you stay active, you live longer,” Mr. Wolever said. “And so it’s remarkable to see him at 100 years old.”
That’s in part because those who worked for the department during the decades of Mr. Hurlburt’s tenure didn’t have the protective equipment that firefighters do today. Back then, he said firefighters wore rubber suits instead of the more heat-resistant ones now. They also didn’t have access to the breathing apparatuses and face masks used now, so firefighters breathed in a lot more smoke.
As to what advice for others to live a long life, Mr. Hurlburt said he never thought about living a long time. Instead his advice is to focus on what you enjoy.
Throughout his lifetime, he said he’s worked many jobs, which include serving in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1943 to 1946, working in factories, and even as a driver’s education instructor — which he described as more stressful than fighting fires.
But through it all, he made time for what he enjoyed: spending time with family, running, biking, swimming. Even now, he said he’s anxiously awaiting the spring weather so he can get back to being outside while riding his Recumbent bike.
And, if one can, find a job they enjoy, as Mr. Hurlburt said he did when he became a firefighter in 1950.
“That way it isn’t work,” he said.
First Published March 21, 2023, 10:15 p.m.
