POTSDAM — West Stockholm Fire Chief Robert E. White, who died while responding to fire Dec. 5, will be honored by fellow firefighters and emergency service personnel.

Traffic congestion is expected on State Highway 11B as services for White are set to take place this morning.

There will be a large presence of fire and EMS apparatus on US 11B, and SUNY Potsdam’s Hosmer Hall.

Set up for the processions will begin around 9 a.m. with vehicles being parked on either side of SH 11B.

The funeral will take place at Hosmer Hall at SUNY Potsdam. The procession will be leaving campus around noon and proceeding up Main Street to Park Street to 11B.

The procession will move toward Chief White’s residence at 403 State Highway 11B.

It is planned that the funeral procession will move through Potsdam up 11B in the middle of the road.

“We ask that any unnecessary traffic avoid that area of Potsdam and to find an alternative route in regards to using US 11B. Thank you in advance for your cooperation,” a release from the department said.

A short ceremony is planned in front of White’s home with the West Stockholm Fire Department.

Traffic will be very heavy around the village at this time and anyone traveling in this area is urged to find a detour.

White collapsed Thursday evening after responding to the fire that destroyed a house at 415 State Highway 11B. The coronoer ruled his death to be of natural causes.

St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Detective Thomas Caringi confirmed that the recent fire where West Stockholm Fire Chief Robert White died was accidental. For more, see story here.

To read White’s obituary, click here.