FAIRFIELD — George Gomperts is a man of many hats.

He was an undertaker (and is still licensed), an exterminator, a bus driver, a U.S. Army Reserves combat engineer and master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. On Friday, at age 65, Gomperts hung up his last hat — a firefighter's helmet — after 39 years with the town's Fire Department. He has been a provisional captain for the past year.

"I'm almost sad to leave, because the job gives you structure," Gomperts said.

But, he added, he plans some kind of volunteer service after doing some work around his house in Fairfield.

After working as an undertaker for six years, the 26-year-old Gomperts became a firefighter on Oct. 31, 1966, a career he switched to because he likes helping people.

He joined a department that had 32 firefighters at the time. Oxygen tanks were then optional and the pay was $1.91 an hour.

"That was one of the criteria — the ability to take smoke," he said of the tanks. "A lot of the old-timers, they went in without them."

A young lieutenant named Richard Felner — destined to rise to chief 32 years later — was his supervisor.

Gomperts and his wife of two years, Barbara, lived in a $150-per month rented beach house in town with their infant daughter, Lisa, and had another child on the way.

To make ends meet, for 15 years he exterminated termites during the summer and drove a bus the rest of year.

"It was OK," Gomperts said of his firefighter salary. "But the guys in the shops were making more."

At the same time, he was also in the Army and Air Force Reserves.

"It was always a balancing act," he said.

But his wife, now 66, was always supportive, and worked a part-time job herself, he added.

In the early 1970s, within his first several years on the department, Gomperts handled two big fires.

He helped to battle a huge blaze at Fairfield Lumber on the Post Road in 1970 and fought a burning gasoline tanker on Interstate 95 a few years later.

In the winter of 1994, he rescued one of several Fairfield University students whose canoe had capsized in Long Island Sound. He was honored for that rescue.

Gomperts' tenure places him among the top five senior firefighters, with Felner at the top with about 47 years. Felner has been chief for the last seven years.

In that time, Gomperts has seen the department — which now has 98 firefighters — become a first-responder to local emergencies and medical calls.

The department logged about 9,200 calls last year, including fires and medical emergencies.

Firefighters even delivered several babies last year, said Fire Capt. Stephen B. Curry, one of Gomperts' colleagues and himself a 20-year veteran.

Gomperts' firefighting colleagues remember his wit and reliability.

Gomperts had "millions" of funny stories, Curry said. "He always had unique, very funny jokes. Whenever I had the choice or opportunity, I was happy to work with him."

The provisional captain served in all parts of the department except administration, said Capt. Christopher Day.

"He was very active in my training," Day said. "He was an excellent instructor.

"He was easy to get along with, fun to work with."

Felner said, "He's going to be missed by everyone."

Although he's leaving work, Gomperts said he'll stay in town as long as he can afford it.

Meanwhile, he plans to spend more time with his children, Lisa Gomperts, 40, and Tracy Siciliano, 38, both of Georgia; and Eric, 36, of the Southport section of town.

He also has one grandson, 14-month-old Jackson Anthony Siciliano, who is just learning to walk. "I'm very proud of him," Gomperts said of the toddler.

Aaron Leo, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6222.