Fred L. Rossiter, 78, longtime Deming resident and former Fire Chief passed away Sunday October 23, 2016 in the comfort of his home with his family at his side.

Fred or "Chief" as most called him was born April 19, 1938 to Fred and Florence "Toots" Rossiter. Fred was their only child.

He was born in Hot Springs, New Mexico, now known as Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

He moved to Hatch, New Mexico at the age of six.

He attended both elementary and Hatch High School. During those years he spent his summers with his grandparents, Jack and Ella Bruton at the ranch and also helped his dad with Standard Oil deliveries to the farms along the river.

During those years his dad was Fire Chief for the Village of Hatch, and it was then that Fred got his love for the Fire Department.

He attended Western New Mexico University where he met Becky Cross, a Deming girl and they were united in marriage in September 1957, this year being 59 years of marriage. They had a son, Gary Rossiter who was born in Las Cruces where Fred was working for Mountain Bell. When an opening came up in Albuquerque for a firefighter in 1960 they moved there for a year. There came a call from Deming, they needed a fireman and they soon were on their way back home, closer to both of Fred and Becky's parents and friends.

At one time, Fred was Deming's only paid fireman and stayed at the Fire Station for 30 days and nights. At retirement in 2000, Deming had 22 firemen.
In 1962 Fred's daughter Bonnie was born and in 1966 he became Fire Chief, a position he held until his retirement.

Deming was among the first in the state to have EMT's and ambulances. Fred has honored with several awards during his career. He was nominated Chief of the Year for the State of New Mexico in 1987 and in working for the Office of Medical Examiners was the Medical Examiner of the Year in 2000. Fred was a Medical Examiner for 32 years.

He served on the Fire Academy board to help get a Fire Academy in Socorro which was centrally located in our state. This was one of his great joys to see it completed and in use.

Fred was a member of Bethel Baptist church, Masonic Lodge #12 AF & AM, he served on the Board of Regions II, affiliated with the American Red Cross and Toastmasters.

Their son Gary is married to Shirley. Gary had one child, Justin and Justin has two children, Lucas and Taylor who all live in Gillette, Wyoming. Their daughter Bonnie married Steve Granado in 1979 and they have one daughter, Misty Torres. Misty has one daughter, Stevie Torres and they all live in Odessa, TX.

A memorial service will be this Friday, October 28, 2016 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at Baca's Funeral Chapel. Inurnment will follow at Mt. View Cemetery.