SECRETARY - Paul Thomas Birch, 91, of Secretary, died Saturday, March 26, 2011, at his residence. Born April 23, 1919, in Ocean City, he was the son of the late Oscar Birch and Nellie Watson Birch. For many years he owned and operated the grocery store and laundromat in Secretary. He worked for the towns of Secretary, East New Market, and Preston as the town engineer, and he served as mayor in Secretary. He was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Secretary. Mr. Birch joined the Secretary Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. on June 7, 1941, just four years after its formation. He was elected fire chief in January of 1953 and held that position consecutively until 1983. He was a Past President of the Dorchester County Volunteer Firemen's Association, where he had served on numerous committees. He is also a member of the Dorchester, Delmarva, and Eastern Shore Volunteer Firemen's Association Hall of Fame for all of his hard work and dedication to advance fire service. He also received the Secretary VFC Life Member Award for his faithful and dedicated continuous service. Mr. Birch was very instrumental in obtaining the very first new fire engine, a 1967 American LaFrance pumper, as well as obtaining the design and necessary grant funding to construct a new facility. Because of his love and devotion to the fire company, Mr. Birch was honored on May 7, 2010, by the members with the street leading to the firehouse officially named Paul Birch Avenue. In March 2011 he was appointed Chief Emeritus to commemorate and honor all of his accomplishments and achievements as a seventy year member. Mr. Birch is survived by a son, Paul R. Birch of Secretary; two daughters, Madeline Marine of Secretary and Geraldine Larrimore of Secretary; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes C. Wanex Birch who died on June 4, 1994; two sons, Michael Birch and William Birch; a grandson, Mark Marine; a granddaughter, Gloria Ann Hansen; two brothers, Louis W. Birch, and Robert D. Birch; a sister, Betty B. Lewis. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 31, 2011, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zeller Funeral Home in East New Market. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 1, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Secretary. Rev. Stephen Lonek will be the celebrant Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Kevin Marine, Mike Larrimore, Brandon Christopher, Jason Burton, Jiro Okochi, Kirk White and members of the Secretary Volunteer Fire Company will serve as pallbearers. Memorial donations may be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury MD 21802 or to Secretary Volunteer Fire Company, P. O. Box 56, Secretary MD 21664.