IN MEMORIAL

The National Board was saddened to learn of the passing of Past President Robert Ward on May 23, 2008.  Bob was a long-time member of SPAAMFAA and will be remembered for his constant good nature and vast knowledge of antique fire apparatus, particularly Ahrens-Fox. 

Just wanted to pass on to all the members of SPAAMFAA that our father, Robert L. Ward Sr. passed away on Friday, May 23, 2008 at the age of 88. We wanted to thank all the members of SPAAMFAA for all the support, friendship and good times you gave our parents Bob and Marie Ward during their time with SPAAMFAA. Our parents always enjoyed the times with their friends from SPAAMFAA. -- Cynthia L. Witman - daughter & Robert L. Ward Jr. - son.

ROBERT L. WARD SR. - POLICE OFFICER, WWII VETERAN

Robert L. Ward, Sr., 88, husband of the late Marie M. (Kelso) Ward, formerly of Sanatoga Ridge, Lower Pottsgrove Twp., and Neiffer Rd., Limerick Twp., died Friday, at Manatawny Manor, East Coventry Twp., Pottstown, Pa.

Mr. Ward was born on February 17, 1920, in Bridgeport, Pa. and was the son of the late Raymond S. and Christina S. (McCleery) Ward. He was a 1938 graduate of Upper Merion High School.

Mr. Ward retired in 1974, from the State Correctional Institution At Graterford, where he was a corrections kitchen steward for 29 years. He also was a Limerick Twp. police officer for 23 years.

During World War Two, Mr. Ward served as a sergeant and B-24 radio operator, with the US Army Air Corps, in China-Burma-India theater of operations, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice and the Air Medal three times. He was a member of the China-Burma-India Veterans Assn., the China-Burma-India Hump Pilots Assn., and the Distinguished Flying Cross Society.

Mr. Ward was interested in fire fighting and owned several antique fire trucks. He was a life member and past-president of the New Hanover Twp. Fire Co., a member and past-president of the Society For The Preservation And Appreciation Of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus In America (SPAAMFAA), and a life member of the Union Fire Historical Society, Allentown, Pa.

Mr. Ward also was a member of the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society Of PA, a charter member and former secretary-treasurer of the Auto License Plate Collectors Assn. (ALPCA), a member of the Spring-Ford Philatelic Society, and a member of the Gablesville Athletic Assn.

Mr. Ward is survived by his daughter, Cynthia L. Witman, Robesonia; his son, Robert L. Ward, Jr. husband of Julie A. (Horn) Ward, New Hanover Twp.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his dear friend, Gloria Wyda, Pottstown.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 at the Holcombe Funeral Home, Inc., 21 Main St., Trappe, Pa. Burial will be in Limerick Garden Of Memories, Limerick Twp. Friends may call from 10:00 to 10:45 AM, Wednesday at the funeral home.
 

Richard J. Gergel

Age 73, of Laurel, MD, formerly of Mt. Laurel, NJ, passed away Friday, September 7, 2007 at Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Springs, MD. He was born on December 14, 1933 in Lebanon, PA, son of the late John and Anna Gergel of Athens, PA. After serving in the Army, "Dick" went to work for Ward LaFrance, from 1952 to 1980. He started as a draftsmen and in 1973 became President of the company. Before retiring in 1997 Richard spent many years working for various fire truck companies including, Mack Trucks, Allentown, PA and Pemberton Fabricators, Rancocas, NJ.  Richard had many accomplishments in his long career with fire apparatus and trucks including selling the first "lime-green" truck.  In his days of retirement he wrote and published three books on fire apparatus.

Surviving Richard of 11 years is companion Wenru Liang, Laurel, MD. Sons, Brian Gergel, Corning, NY, David Gergel, Elmira, NY, daughters, Anne Katz, Taunton, MA, Lynnette "LuLu" Gergel, Horseheads, NY and former wife B. Marie Gergel, Horseheads, NY, a sister Annette Tinkham, Athens, PA, brother Dennis and wife Shirley, Bradenton, FL, sister-in-law Phyllis Gergel, Troy, PA, grandchildren, Jessica Katz, Boston, MA, Nathan Katz, Staten Island, NY, Eric Gergel, Elmira Heights, NY. He is also survived by uncles, John Bohus and wife Lucy, Steve Bohus and wife Marie, Bethlehem, PA, and aunt, Catherine Capkovic, Allentown, PA and numerous nieces and nephews. His brother John Gergel, Troy, PA, pre-deceased him in 2006.

Calling hours were held at the Snowden Funeral Home in Rockville, MD on Thursday, September 13th from 9 to 11am.  A Mass followed at St. Jude's Church in Rockville, MD, followed by interment at Parklawn Memorial Park in Rockville, MD.  A memorial service was held Tuesday, September 18th at 11am at St. Joseph's Church in Athens, PA.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Richard's honor to the Elmira Heights Fire Department Emergency Vehicle Fund, c/o Elmira Heights Fire Department, 215 Elmwood Avenue, Elmira Heights, NY, 14903.

The National Board has learned of the sudden death of L. Murray Young, age 72 of Wakefield, Massachusetts on November 30, 2006.   Murray was a long time member of SPAAMFAA, the Box 52 Association and many other organizations.  Murray was the Wakefield Fire Department Historian and was a well known fire buff and collector.  The Board extends their condolences to Murray's family and friends.

The National Board regrets to announce the passing of two long time members.  Dr. Halbert E. Fillinger Jr. of Montgomery County died Sunday, June 11, 2006 at age 79 after a lengthy illness.  Please see details below.

Harriett Potter

Harriett Potter, of Cicero, NY, life member and wife of Past National President Robert Potter, passed away on June 14, 2006.  Funeral arrangements are below:

Link to obituary: http://obit.kruegerfuneralhome.com/obit-318591

Funeral arrangements for Harriett Potter:

Kruger Funeral Home
2619 Brewerton Road (Rt 11)
Mattydale, NY
Monday June 19, 2006 1PM to 3PM 7PM to 9PM

Memorial service from the funeral home Tuesday June 20, 2006 at 10AM.

A reception will be held at the Cicero American Legion Hall on Rt 31 West of Cicero following burial services,

Donations may be made to the:
North Area Volunteer Ambulance Corp.
P.O. Box 3
North Syracuse, NY 13212-0003
or
CNY Chapter of SPAAMFAA (NOTE) An error was made on
the earlier posting, contributions should be to Central New
York Chapter of SPAAMFAA, not the National.  Their address is:

Belle Isle Reserve Fire Company
PO Box 2433
Syracuse, NY 13220

Halbert E. Fillinger Jr. MD

NORRISTOWN – The Honorable Halbert E. Fillinger, Jr., MD, Coroner of Montgomery County, died Sunday after a long illness. He was 79.

During his 14 years as coroner of Montgomery County, Dr. Fillinger worked with many law enforcement agencies at the local, County, state and federal levels.

He was responsible for solving numerous high profile murder cases in his more than 40 years as a forensic pathologist. Prior to being elected as Montgomery County’s Coroner, Dr. Fillinger served for 28 years as an assistant medical examiner for the City of Philadelphia.

He was also an assistant professor at Temple University where he taught criminalistics, which encompassed all aspects of forensic pathology, evidence gathering and body chemistry. Dr. Fillinger was a guest lecturer many times for the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia as well as all branches of the Armed Forces. His work was so highly regarded that he was engaged as a consultant nationwide, including by the states of Texas, Michigan, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, and Colorado.

Born in Clinton, Indiana in 1926, Dr. Fillinger received his medical degree in 1955 from the University of Heidelberg in Heidelberg, Germany. He then served a pathology internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, and a fellowship at the nationally-renown Cleveland Clinic Foundation where he specialized in forensic pathology.

The regard that his peers had for him was evidenced by many accolades and recognition for his notable accomplishments.

To honor the passing of this outstanding public servant, Montgomery County Commissioners have ordered that all Montgomery County flags be flown at half-mast.

Dr. Fillinger is survived by his wife, Maggie (Mulhern) Fillinger; son Halbert E. Fillinger III, Harleysville and 2 daughters, Karen Thompson (Timothy) of Spotsylvania, VA and Elizabeth Fillinger of Ambler; 2 grandchildren; 1 brother, Earl Fillinger (Phyllis) of Monticello, IN and 2 sisters: Eva Goetz of Sarasota, FL and Mary Schilling of Indianapolis and nieces and nephews.


Services will be Friday, June 16 at 11AM at the Hatboro Baptist Church, 32 N. York Road, Hatboro followed by internment in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ambler. Friends may call Thursday evening 7-9:30 PM at Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, 701 Derstine Ave., Lansdale or Friday at the church 9:30 to 10:30AM.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations in memory of Dr. Hal Fillinger to the Nurse Development Fund at Abington Memorial Hospital Foundation, 1200 Old York Road, Abington, PA 19001.