IN MEMORIAL
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.