HOMER, NY (607NewsNow) – You can pay your respects to a pillar of the Southern Tier firefighting community on Friday.

Calling hours for Former Chief Mahlon Irish Jr. will be held Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Homer Fire Department from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Irish, who served for 50 years in Homer, Ithaca, and as a state fire instructor, passed away last week at age 69.

Parking and shuttle services are available at Homer High School and Homer Intermediate School for people attending calling hours. Use Homer Elementary School for overflow parking.

Additionally, Homer Fire Chief Jay Riley says funeral services will be held at the Homer Fire Department on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 10 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at the Cortland Elks Lodge.