-- Joseph Czerw --
A Dedicated Volunteer Fire Fighter and Line Officer who lost his Life in the Line of Duty Protecting the Life and Property of the Citizens of Taylor
March 17, 1953-February 27 1982
Joseph P. Czerw was a member of Taylor Hose and Engine Company No. 1 in Taylor, PA. At the time of his death he was a foreman at the Hose Company. He was fighting a structure fire on February 27, 1982, and was 28 when he died – leaving behind a wife, Helene, and a son, Joey – age 2.
Joe was very active in the Hose Company and other organizations in the community. He was very big on camping and outdoor sports. We had a camper that went on the back of our truck, and after work on Friday we would pack up and go for the weekend. Even when Joey was born we took him. Joey even got a trophy at one campsite for being the youngest camper there. Joe loved fishing – especially ice fishing. He was also in a number of bowling leagues, and the LA Dodgers was his favorite baseball team.
Joe was well liked by everyone and never had a bad word for anyone. When he died, the Hose Company was very supporting to me and Joey. In front of the Hose Company is a monument in memory of Joe, given by the Ladies Auxiliary of Taylor Hose and Engine Company. It was donated by Robert and Nancy Thomas who were also Hose Company members. The Hose Company dedicated the truck in his honor and has a plaque hanging on the wall in the Hose Company. They go every year in uniform and trucks to the cemetery on Memorial Day and place a flower and a flag in his honor at his gravesite. They have been doing this for 25 years straight. Some of the junior firemen weren’t even born when Joe died. This year marks the 25th anniversary of his death, and they are rededicating the truck and naming a street in the Boro of Taylor after him. |
