Granville “Ted” Lingard has been a resident of Southport since 1990, serving as the town’s emergency management director until March 2016, when he retired and was replaced by Mike Ciccarelli.

He also served on the fire department, drawing on years of experience from when he lived in Manchester, Connecticut, where he served as both fire chief and fire marshal.

This year, Southport selectmen honored Lingard with the Spirit of America award presented to people, organizations, or groups for “commendable community service.”

“He was responsible for getting us two Mack fire trucks from his old department,” Selectman Gerry Gamage said. “When they bought new ones, we were able to purchase the old ones. He served for years on the fire department and as the emergency management director, and has been an important member of the Southport community.”

Lingard, who lives on Hendricks Hill Road, said he was “very pleased” to get the award.

“I’ve given almost 80 – well, not really 80, but close – years of service,” Lingard said in a phone interview. “They read the plaque and thanked me for my service. I’ve got it hanging over my fireplace.”

The selectmen meet every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall.