For 52 years, Marshall “Mike” Beauchamp faithfully responded to fires and medical emergencies in Antrim and the surrounding communities. He spent 25 years as Antrim’s fire chief and was the driving force behind the creation of the Antrim-Bennington Rescue Squad, now known as Antrim Ambulance.
On Wednesday, Sept. 22, Beauchamp passed away at the age of 82 after a period of failing health.
Beauchamp was born Jan. 29, 1939 in Cheboygan, Michigan, one of eight Beauchamp children, which included his twin sister Marcia. He moved to Antrim in the late 1950s after his father Gerald got a job at Monadnock Paper Mills in Bennington. At the age of 19, Beauchamp also began working at Monadnock Paper Mills and spent a 50-year career at the local paper production company, retiring at the age of 70.
In 1966, Beachamp joined the Antrim Fire Department as a way to serve the town he called home.
“He was very dedicated to his community and he loved it,” said his daughter Bonnie Theriault. “It was something he always wanted to do, serve his community.”
By the early 1970s, Beauchamp saw a need in the community for those seeking immediate medical attention. It led to the purchase of a used ambulance from Hillsborough and the start of the Antrim-Bennington Rescue Squad in 1973.
In 1989, Beauchamp took over as chief of the Antrim Fire Department and proudly served in the capacity for a quarter century before officially retiring from the position in January of 2015. But even then, Beauchamp couldn’t completely step away, staying on the roster for almost three more years.
“It was extremely hard,” Theriault said of stepping away. “He would have stayed on as long as he could have.”
Antrim Fire Chief Marshall Gale took over the department’s head job in January of 2015, succeeding Beauchamp as fire chief. Gale has been on the department for 45 years and “most of that was with Mike.” They also worked together at Monadnock Paper Mills.
Gale served as deputy chief before taking over and called Beauchamp his mentor.
“The last few years he was chief, he took me under his wing so to speak,” Gale said. “He groomed me for the position. And even after he retired as chief, I’d reach out to him from time to time for advice.”
Gale said Beauchamp’s devotion to service was unmatched.
“He was always learning, taking classes,” Gale said. “It was his passion to serve the community and help people.”
While it’s not always easy to respond to every call, Gale said Beauchamp was always someone the department could count on.
“As long as I can remember it was pretty rare he’d miss a call,” Gale said. “It didn’t matter what time day or night, Mike was responding.”
Gale said Beauchamp’s vision to start Antrim Ambulance made a huge difference in the town.
“I think EMS was one of his great passions,” Gale said. “He’s the one who urged me to get into the EMS side. He said if you’re going to be chief some day, you need to know both sides.”
Gale said Beauchamp was one of those people who led by example.
“He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty,” he said.
Theriault remembers one day when a medical call came in for a neighbor, but instead of driving, her dad ran through the wood. “It was the quickest route,” she said.
Bob Edwards, who has lived in Antrim for 51 years, remembers Beauchamp as a selfless member of the community.
“I’ve always known him to give 100 percent of his effort and dedication to the town of Antrim,” Edwards said.
And on two occasions, Beauchamp responded to Edwards’ home for calls.
Once was when his five-year-old son was having a febrile seizure.
“He was the first one on the scene and was a great support during that time,” Edwards said.
The other time was when there was a situation with his fire alarm system that caused a false alarm during the wee hours of the morning. Edwards notified the department their services were not needed.
“Ten minutes later I noticed a flashlight in the yard and it was Marshall,” Edwards said. “He went above and beyond to make sure everything was okay.”
He remembers during his time as a selectman when Beauchamp was given an appreciation award during town meeting after his retirement.
“I can’t say enough good things about Chief Beauchamp,” Edwards said. “He was such a friend of the community that everyone knew him. We are certainly a thankful community.”
Theriault said her dad was one of those people who was above and beyond committed.
“He sacrificed and went on every call,” she said. “Birthdays he would go, Christmas he would go, every call he would go. It was his life. He loved fire and rescue.”
And his passion for service was passed on to his children. His daughter Barbra spent 40 years on the department and another daughter, Brenda Hennessy served 23 years with Antrim Ambulance.
Hennessy said her father urged her to become a certified EMT and join Antrim Ambulance. She spent many days responding to calls with him and “it made me proud to be beside him, honored to be next to him,” Hennessy said. “To share that same passion to help out the community. My dad was huge on serving the community.”
“He was old school and I was new school,” she said. “And we just worked really well together.” Sometimes Beauchamp would drive the ambulance, while he’d also get in the back to take care of patients with his daughter. “He made us so proud,” she said.
Hennessy has fond memories of her childhood being at the fire station and going to musters, as her dad showed all his children the importance of serving the community you live in.
“He was very dedicated, loved the community, loved the people, helping people and saving people,” Hennessy said.
Theriault said above everything else, Beauchamp’s passion was for his family.
“He was a true family man, the best father,” she said. He married the love of his life Joy, who called her husband her everything, on July 2, 1960 at St. Patrick’s Church in Bennington. Together, they had four daughters, Brenda, Barbra, Bonnie and Betsey, who passed away in 2002. They also had six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Beauchamp loved the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots and was an avid college football fan.
On Saturday, Oct. 2, services will be held for Beauchamp. The procession will begin at the Antrim Fire Department at 10 a.m. and proceed to Antrim Baptist Church for a community service at 10:30 a.m., with burial to follow at Maplewood Cemetery.
The family will host a celebration of life at the Hillsboro American Legion, Post 59 at the conclusion of services.