Chief Russell A. Lancaster, II

Dear Hall of Fame Committee Members:

  The Deale Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad would like to nominate Russell “Russ” A. Lancaster, II to the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame. Russ joined the Deale Volunteer Fire Department in 1987. He is currently a Firefighter II with FADO, and is an EMTB.

  Russ was Deale’s Chief and Station Commander in 2004 to 2005. Assuming the Chief’s position was not an easy job because he was the first Chief to replace our beloved Chief Thomas Manifold following his death. The company was experiencing a time of loss and needed a strong personality to “take over the reins” of the Department. Russ was able to accomplish this, bringing cohesiveness to the company and starting us on a new course. He was the training officer in charge of organizing and holding drills along with advising new members on appropriate training courses. Russ facilitated the arrangements for AED/CPR and EMTB training the members required. He currently serves and has held the position for many years as the LOSAP chairman for the Department and is the Department’s liaison to the AAVFA LOSAP committee. This position requires numerous hours to compile each member’s data for entry into the Anne Arundel County LOSAP program.

  Russ served on the Deale Volunteer Fire Department’s Board of Directors for five years and in his position as a member of the Board of Directors he provided guidance, direction and participated in decisions on administrative and personnel matters for the Department. He was a member of the apparatus committee facilitating Deale’s purchase of the ladder truck and the 1250gpm fire engine. Russ has given his time and support for all of our fundraising events, such as the annual carnival, oyster roasts and haunted house to raise funds to pay for much needed equipment. He served on the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association’s Convention Committee when Deale hosted the annual convention. Russ is currently one of Deale’s Delegates to the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association and to the Maryland State Firemen’s Association annual convention and has served in this capacity for many years.

  We request your favorable consideration for Russell A. Lancaster, II as an inductee into the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame.

  Yours in the Fire Service,
  Gayle Moreland, President

Russell A. Lancaster, II
Date of Birth: July 4, 1954
Date of Death: August 2, 2020

Russell Andrew "Russ" Lancaster II, 66, of Socastee, SC, passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2020 from complications of COVID. Born July 4, 1954 in Frostburg, MD he was the son of Emory and Doris (Nicol) Lancaster. Russ graduated from Beall High School in 1972 and soon after began computer training at the Computer Learning Center in Virginia. Following his training, Russ spent the next several decades as a government contractor for NOAA working as a systems administrator. Russ recently moved to Myrtle Beach, SC after living in southern Anne Arundel County for over 30 years. Russ is preceded in death by his daughter, Dayna Lancaster. He is survived by his wife Claire Lancaster, daughter Jaclyn Sheckells (Bobby), son Russell Lancaster III (Becky), stepsons Thomas and Paul Sparacino, grandchildren Hannah, Kyle, Haley, Leonard, Trinity, Hayden, Keegan, Layla, Natalie, and Thomas as well as four great-grandchildren Brooklyn, Amora, Oakley, and Savannah. He is also survived by both parents as well as brother Dayne Lancaster (Bev), sister Lennie Stevens (Wayne), sister Perri Taylor (Jim). Russ was a life member of the Deale Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. He joined in 1987 where he earned the Rookie of the Year Award that same year. He held many positions during his time with the department such as Lieutenant, Chief, Board of Directors, and LOSAP Coordinator. He was inducted into the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Fire Fighters Association Hall of Fame in 2006, as well as many other accolades during his time of service. He was recently appointed as Secretary for American Legion Post 178 and a member of the Son's of Legion Riders in S.C. In his spare time, he enjoyed visiting his family, and childhood friends in Frostburg, riding his bike, Maybelline, listening to country music, golfing, line dancing, eating good, making new friends, and spending quality time with his beloved dog, Piper. A celebration of life is still being planned at this time.