NORWICH – Few individuals are able to boast they’ve spent nearly 40 years in the same line of work. Even fewer can say they’ve spent those years serving the community in which they live, but that is exactly what retiring City of Norwich Fire Fighter Gary Cate was able to say on his last day of work.

On Wednesday, city officials, firefighters, friends and family gathered at the fire house to honor Cate for his years of service. Cate began his time at the fire house as a volunteer in 1964. By 1968, he was hired on as a paid firefighter, and he has been working at the station ever since.

“With Gary’s many years in the department, all the things he’s done for the city, there probably isn’t enough time to go through it all,” said Mayor Joseph Maiurano. The mayor expressed his appreciation of Cate, as he presented him with a certificate of recognition for more than 40 years of service to the City of Norwich. “Your high standard of community service set an example for others to follow,” Maiurano said. Cate will also receive a plaque from the city, once it arrives.