MANSFIELD — Mansfield assistant fire chief Jim Bishop is now relieved of his obligation to buy ice cream for the station when he appears on television or in the local news.
He said he doesn’t think the longstanding tradition for fire departments applies to retirement parties.
“At 6:30 a.m. (Thursday), they’re kicking me out,” he said. “I’ve really loved working with everyone here for the past 33 years.”
Bishop celebrated his retirement on Wednesday with co-workers, family members and city leaders.
The 1982 Mansfield Senior High graduate played quarterback for the Tygers and for Wilmington College. He started a sales job for AK Steel after graduating college and took his civil service entrance exam when his brother Bill kept suggesting it.
“He’s down in Columbus, but there’s something special about working for your hometown,” Bishop said. “I always wore Mansfield across my chest as a quarterback, and I did as a firefighter as well.
“I wanted to do this job to make a difference, and I think I have.”
Bishop’s son Bryce is now a firefighter in Delaware, Ohio.
“It’s fun to follow in his footsteps, I definitely spent a lot of time in the station growing up,” Bryce said.
Bishop’s daughter-in-law sent him a video of his 5-year-old granddaughter Ivy wishing him a happy retirement Wednesday. He has three grandchildren.
Bishop plans more boating, volunteer work in retirement
Bishop is one of the volunteers for the Miss Ohio stage crew, spending more than 30 years behind the scenes of the Renaissance Theatre event.
His wife Sandy said the couple is currently renovating their house and has plenty of activities to fill their time. Jim Bishop plans to work as an electrician part-time while his wife continues her career in the City of Mansfield’s Clerk of courts office. Their daughter Paige is a deputy clerk.
Mayor Jodie Perry and Fire Chief Dan Crow have requested legislation for the April 16 city council meeting to honor Bishop’s service.
“Assistant chief Jim Bishop set the bar high for both himself and his co-workers,” the proposed legislation reads.
“The City of Mansfield would like to thank you and your family for your service and your selfless dedication to the safety of its citizens.”
Bishop started his career as a firefighter in June 1991, was promoted to captain in 1999, and later assistant chief. The 60-year-old has been an assistant chief in Mansfield for 18 years.
“I’ll do the same things I’ve always done besides coming into work,” he said. “We live near Pleasant Hill Lake, so I’ll try to go boating more.
“Now it’s my turn to be a little concerned about Bryce now. My wife and daughter went through it with me, and now we all get to do that with him. But he knows what he’s doing.”
