Timothy “Tim” Joseph McClanahan passed away on Monday, July 11, 2016 following a rescue training accident. He was training to do what he loved most, protect and serve our community. Tim was born on June 29, 1970 at Sibley Hospital in Washington D.C. He and his family lived in Vienna, VA until 1986 when they moved to Lewes, DE. Tim graduated from Cape Henlopen High School with the Class of 1988 and then continued his studies at Delaware Technical Community College. Tim was a master of many trades and worked at several local businesses in his life: Best Ace Hardware, Rehoboth Beach Police Department, Grand Rental Station, North American Homes, Snap on Tools, Snookies Speed Parts, Schagrin Gas, WMF Watersports, the Delaware State Fire Marshall’s Office, Priority One Air Rescue, Baker’s Petroleum, Delaware State Fire School, and Bay Shore Small Engine Repairs with his father. Tim could fix absolutely anything. He was the youngest Briggs and Stratton certified master mechanic in Delaware and could tune a small engine only by its sound. Tim was also an exemplary teacher. He was patient and understanding and could explain the smallest details with ease. Tim started his lifelong dedication to emergency service in 1991. He was a past member of Milton and Rehoboth Beach Fire Departments and a current member of the Lewes Fire Department where he achieved the rank of Assistant Chief. He had a true passion for rescue. Tim joined DART (Delaware Air Rescue Team) in 2010, a partnership with the Delaware State Police. DART is an exclusive and highly trained group of men dedicated to responding to emergencies across the state. He led the Build the Boat Campaign in 2008 which resulted in a state of the art Lewes Fire Boat, a vessel he designed. Tim was instrumental in the development of the Lewes Fire Department water rescue program. He was a highly decorated and hardworking fire fighter dedicated to the mission of public safety. Tim will be hard to replace. Tim was a loving, compassionate and dedicated father, a caring son, fiancé’, brother, uncle and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He never met a stranger.