Livonia couple thankful for community, happy to be back home
One of my regular bi-weekly Owl delivery stops is the home of Tom and Virginia Sargeant, Richmond Mills Road in Livonia, NY. When I stopped by on Thursday, November 16th, I was shocked to see the front of their home blackened by fire, and several people working in the cold replacing damaged siding. Much to my relief, the Sargeant’s remained well after propane that had leaked from a buried tank caught on fire and exploded, singeing the siding black before flashing outward, away from their home. Amazingly, despite a “huge boom” that will leave them with a lasting memory of the day’s events, they not only escaped injury but also were able to move back home just a few days after the fire.
We caught up with them Saturday, November 18, 2017, the morning after they returned home, and they were overwhelmed with gratitude for the many people who assisted them at the time of the fire and in the days that followed.
The Sargeants wish to thank everyone that offered assistance and kind words after their recent house fire.
They are incredibly grateful to the Livonia Ambulance and Fire Departments for their rapid response, and for the fire department’s diligence in remaining on site overnight to safeguard their home.
They also wish to thank the Bill and Bethany, Chris and Molly Headley families and the employees at Leisure’s Restaurant (where the couple celebrated their wedding anniversary on October 19th) and The Roadway Inn in Livonia for their kindness and generosity, for finding a first floor room for them and for making them feel at home during their stay.
They are also thankful to the Red Cross for providing support immediately following the fire, including offsetting the cost of temporary housing.
The Sargeants were also appreciative of the support provided by Adam Doyle, Gordie Shephard and Larry Panipinto, who offered supplies, labor and/or assistance to repair the exterior of the couple’s home. These people, along with rapid responses from GrowmarkFS, LLC (propane) and National Grid enabled them to move back home within days.
Virginia also wished to thank Rhonda Coykendall Mosher for her very special act of kindness; it meant so much.
Finally, they wish to thank their daughter Amber Savage and their Grandaughter Patricia. The Sargeants are truly happy and feel blessed to be back home, and to live in such a generous caring community. Clearly they shared, ” we are meant to be here for a long time to come.”
