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Pennsylvania

Hundreds Say Goodbye to New Tripoli Firefighters Zachary Paris and Marvin Gruber

Almost every tribute has a story that pulls a smile out of the depths of bereavement. I shared a story about trying to stick a trap to my arm. The flashlight is loose.

“The result was a good laugh,” said Deputy Chief Marvin Gruber, head of New Tripoli’s community fire company and a firefighter who died in a house fire on Dec. 7, at a joint funeral in Paris on Saturday. Kunz, who gave the compliment, said: Located in Schuylkill County.

It was a remarkable twin loss for a community as tightly knit as a small town, despite being spread over miles of countryside. It was held in the Lehigh Middle School auditorium. This place is a few miles away from the fire station where Paris started volunteering in his 2010 and Gruber in her 2020.

Behind a flag-draped coffin on stage stood a uniformed portrait of a man: Paris, 36, sporting a bushy mustache like a firefighter from another era, Gruber, 59, on the right, has a warm smile, very familiar with the community his family has lived in for generations.

Shortly after 2pm, the fire brigade escort and pipe and drum squad marched into the auditorium to a large tattoo of drums and bagpipes playing an Irish song called “The Dawning of the Day.” Did.

The melancholy piercing sound of pipes filled the room, and a tearful family was ushered to their seats. When “America the Beautiful” followed “God Bless America”, a presentation of colors followed.”America the Beautiful” followed “God Bless America”. The sound of the drums died down as the corps formed a line.

Reverend Walter F. Frisch of the Ebenezer United Church of Christ, whose friend and high school classmate Gruber was a deacon, held the funeral with prayers and read “Blessed Blessings” from Matthew.

“God bless those who mourn,” he said. “They will be comforted.”

A 2005 graduate of Fleetwood High School in Berks County, Paris worked 24 hours a day as a firefighter in Frederick County, Maryland, and stayed home for two days off.

In addition to his parents and sister, he left behind a wife of 12 years, Elizabeth, and daughters, Lila and Amelia. The avid motorcyclist’s beloved Harley-Davidson Road His King stood outside the schoolhouse with his polling coat folded on the ground in front of it.

Gruber, who worked in the public safety department at Northampton Community College, celebrated his 35th wedding anniversary in June with his wife and high school sweetheart, Karen. His son Nick is the deputy head of the company. He also had his daughter Jordan and his three grandchildren who call him Pop Pop.

Among the dignitaries who attended the funeral were State Senator Jarrett Coleman, Pennsylvania Fire Chief Charles J. McGarvey, and Lehigh County Administrator Phil Armstrong, who expressed similar gratitude, sorrow and admiration. raised the

“Our local hero has decided to show up for us,” Coleman said, showing the crowd how first responders make their daily, sometimes ultimate, sacrifices. “I live in a safe Pennsylvania because of heroes like Marvin and Zachary. When people are fleeing, first responders rush to help.”

McGarvey shared condolences from Governor Tom Wolf and his wife and offered his own prayers for the firefighter’s family and friends.

He quoted the ancient Greek historian and general Thucydides.

“The two December 7th heroes did just that,” says McGarvey.

The 800-seat auditorium was full, and another 100 honor guards stood solemnly. More than 1,100 of his other people watched the service’s live stream on his YouTube.

Hundreds of people attended the public viewing, including firefighters, police officers, soldiers, bikers, clergymen, and ordinary dressed people whose occupation was not clear but whose purpose was clear. end.

Speaking after a solo guitar performance of “Kickstart My Heart” by heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, Kuntz said Paris and Gruber were known around the station as Zach and Marv. rice field.

“Two of the most laid back, kind souls I’ve ever met,” he said. “These two men were leaders, mentors, friends, volunteers, brothers. These two men gave their lives to protect others. These two men are heroes.” There is no need to doubt that

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Kunz said Paris was shy, even timid.

Gruber was a mentor to young firefighters. Kunz recalled that when the work around the fire station wasn’t satisfying, Gruber said, “We’re going to step up this one a little bit.”

The fire that struck Paris and Gruber broke out in a house in the village of Clamtown in West Penn Township. It was believed that someone was trapped inside. The fire brigade entered the house to search. After a while, the evacuation alarm sounded. A few minutes later, one of the men called out “Mayday” and he shouted three times before falling silent.

The supposedly trapped resident, Christopher Cummerdiner, was not home. He was found dead from self-inflicted injuries approximately 200 yards from his home.

The community grieves while authorities investigate. Kuntz said he and his firefighters will do what Gruber and Paris want.

“We pick up debris and move forward,” he said.

Wake-up Call reporter Daniel Patrick Sheehan can be reached at 610-820-6598 or dsheehan@mcall.com.

https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-firefighters-funerals-20221217-xo75x52dcjbizgcjhdnnlcdxgi-story.html#ed=rss_www.mcall.com/arcio/rss/category/news/local/ Hundreds Say Goodbye to New Tripoli Firefighters Zachary Paris and Marvin Gruber

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