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Tim Sanborn\nA local section of US-127 will soon bear the name Tim Sanborn Memorial Highway, after legislation authored by state Rep. Tom Leonard cleared the state House and Senate.
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Leonard introduced House Bill 4936 to honor the memory of local firefighter Tim Sanborn, who served with Clinton Area Fire and Rescue (CAFR) from 2002 to 2007. In 2007, Sanborn tragically died in the line of duty while fighting a house fire in Victor Township.\n\u201cThere is no act large enough to acknowledge the great loss of Tim from this community, but at least by enacting this tribute in his name we can honor his family and those he served with. I hope that as we all drive this part of 127, seeing Tim\u2019s name will serve as a reminder of the sacrifices our first responders make each and every day,\u201d said Leonard, R-DeWitt Township.
\nThe \u201cTim Sanborn Memorial Highway\u201d will cover the portion of US-127 in Clinton County beginning at the intersection of Colony Road and extending north to M-57. Portions of state highways are only named after a native Michigander whose contributions were of significance to the state.
\nTim’s firefighting career started in the early 1980s with the Birch Run Fire Department in Birch Run\u201a Michigan. In 2002\u201a he joined Clinton Area Fire and Rescue as a volunteer firefighter in St. John’s\u201a Michigan. He was a third generation firefighter.
\nTim was known for his sense of humor\u201a hard work\u201a and dedication to his department\u201a job\u201a and his family. He was the kind of person that you could never forget; always made you smile\u201a and was never at a loss for words.
\nWhen he was going through his pre-certification classes\u201a his firefighting brothers and sisters dubbed him Grandpa\u201a because of his gray hair and being the oldest in the class. He took great pride in his new name.
\nSadly\u201a on June 22\u201a 2007\u201a while fighting a house fire\u201a he suffered a massive heart attack. He passed away en route to the hospital at the age of 56. He left behind his wife of 31 years\u201a Marie; and three daughters\u201a Shannon (Tim) Freeland\u201a Lisa (Derek) Smith\u201a and Amy Sanborn.
\nAfter 34 years of service\u201a he had retired from General Motors the previous year and was looking forward to living the retired life\u201a playing lots of golf\u201a hunting\u201a traveling to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula\u201a and spending time with his wife\u201a who had also just recently retired.
\nIn July 2007 at the annual Clinton Area Fire and Rescue Steak Fry\u201a Tim was named Firefighter of the Year for 2006-2007 by his fellow firefighters\u201a for his outstanding courage\u201a bravery\u201a and dedication to serve and protect.
\nTim was very proud to be a member of the Clinton Area Fire and Rescue and the service that he provided to his community.
\nThe governor is expected to sign the bill into law later this month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"