Please join Mayor Matt Tuerk and Fire Chief Efrain Agosto Jr. for the ribbon cutting ceremony of Allentown’s Fire Academy and Emergency Operations Center. We will also celebrate the dedication of the building to the late Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Kiskeravage who died June 9, 2023.
Kiskeravage lived a life of service dedicated to the community. He began his career as a volunteer with the Shenandoah Ambulance Corp in his teen years. Throughout his firefighting career, Kiskeravage was a member of the IAFF for Easton Fire Dept, an Assistant Chief for the Allentown Fire Dept, a member of the Lehigh County Special Operations team, PA USAR Co. #3, a beloved instructor at Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and Bucks County Community College, assisted in the development of the Allentown Fire Dept Technical Rescue team, and was South Whitehall Township’s first full-time Fire Commissioner. He passionately taught and trained firefighters around the world (traveling to Korea, Japan, Romania, and Italy as well as within the US) teaching EMT, fire suppression, Hazmat, and more. He donated his body to help find ways to make firefighting a safer job. As a leader, teacher, mentor, husband, father, and grandfather, he was loved by many. Kiskeravage’ s legacy will continue through his family and all whom he taught.
WHEN: Thursday August 24, 2023 at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: 1902 Lehigh Street (directly behind the Mack South Fire Station)
The community and media are invited to attend.
Johnathan “Big John” L. Pratt, 67, of Lower Macungie, passed away in his home on June 16, 2023. He was the husband of Kelly (Horton) Pratt and they celebrated 39 years of marriage. Born in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late John L. and Isabelle J. (Kelley) Pratt. John was a professional firefighter for the City of Allentown for 25 years until his retirement and he served in the U.S. Army.
Survivors: Wife; Daughters, Anneice and Savannah Pratt; Granddaughter, Sloane Pratt; Brothers, Michael Kelley and Skip Dunston.
Services: 11 AM Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Life Church, 1609 Trexlertown Road, Macungie. A viewing will be held from 9:30-11 AM Thursday in the church. Interment to follow at Highland Memorial Park, Allentown. Arrangements by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Homes, Allentown, www.BKRFH.com
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Johnathan “Big John” L. Pratt, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of retired Allentown Assistant Chief For Training Chris Kiskeravager.
Chris Kiskeravage, 56 of South Whitehall Twp. Formerly of Allentown and Shenandoah PA passed away Friday, June 9th, 2023. He was the husband of Andrea (Weber) Kiskeravage, celebrating 36 years of marriage on May 23rd. He was a 1985 graduate of Cardinal Brennan High School in Fountain Springs Pa.
Chris was a volunteer with Shenandoah Ambulance Corp as a teen and continued life as a career Firefighter and Paramedic. He worked at Cetronia Ambulance the former ALSS as a paramedic and a member of the I.A.F.F. for Easton Fire Department from 1989-1996, Allentown Fire Department from 1996-2019 retiring as Assistant Chief. He was a member of the Lehigh County Special Operations team, Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Co. #3. Chris was also a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Instructor. He was instrumental in the development of the Allentown Fire Department Technical Rescue team. After retiring from Allentown where he was in command of the fire academy, he was appointed as South Whitehall Townships’ first Fire Commissioner.
He trained firefighters across the globe with Bucks County Community College’s Fire and Public Safety. He had traveled to Korea, Japan, Italy, and Romania as well as across the United States teaching EMT, fire suppression, hazmat, and more. His passion for fire education and training was evident even in death as he chose to donate his body to science, in his words “to teach one more class.” Hoping to find ways to make the job safer for all who follow.
In his off hours, he enjoyed being on his pontoon boat in the Rehoboth Bay crabbing as well as Scuba Diving in Belize, Bonaire, Bermuda, and locally with the Allentown Fire Department Dive team.
Chris loved his family and was blessed with 3 children Theodore (Brianna) and granddaughter Natalia, Alexander (Felicity) grandson Warren, and daughter Kathryn.
He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, mother Regina (Jean) Kiskeravage, Foster son Brandon Franklin (Ashley), and their children Liam, Noah, and Makenzie. Cousins Stefan Kowalonek, Stefanie Meskunas, and Stacie Green along with their families.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Sienna 1825 Turner St Allentown PA on Wednesday, July 12th at noon. Calling hours are 10 am-12 pm.
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of retired Allentown Firefighter Thomas C. Fatzinger.
Thomas C. Fatzinger, 80, of Allentown, passed away peacefully in his home while holding the hand of his wife, Monday, September 5, 2022. He and his wife, Patricia A. (Freed), celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Charles E. and Geraldine K. (Seagreaves) Fatzinger. He was a member of Nativity Lutheran Church. A 1960 graduate of Allentown High School, he excelled in baseball and basketball. Tom served in the National Guard during the Vietnam War. Tom was employed by the city of Allentown as a firefighter for 30 years and was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 302. He also was employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Liquor Store for 25 years.
As a basketball and baseball star at Allen High School, Tom continued to love sports. His greatest joy was attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was the most loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend. When Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease his loved one’s feared his disappearance. And though his mind did fade, his strength, laughter, and love for life and those around him always remained.
Survivors: wife; daughters, Deana (Pete), Tricia Bernecker (husband, Derek); grandchildren, Keri (husband, Todd), Brad, Aly (Josh), Paige, Conner (Viv); brother, Dale (wife, Susan), sisters-in-laws, Susan (husband, John), Dorrie (Bob), bother-in-law, Robert (wife, Kathy), and many nieces, nephews, and children.
Services: `12:30 PM Saturday at STEPHENS FUNERAL HOME, INC. 274 N. Krocks Rd. Call 11:30 AM until service time. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery. (www.stephensfuneral.com)
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org and/or Pennsylvania Perimeter Ride Against Cancer at ppracride.org.
We regret to inform you that retired Deputy Chief of Training – John E Ott has passed away. John served in the AFD from 3/27/72 – 12/22/2001.
John E. Ott, 79, of Allentown, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Wichita, Kansas, he was the son of the late John and Marjorie (Eastman) Ott. John is survived by his loving wife, Carmela Ott, the two shared their 53rd wedding anniversary this past June.
John served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He retired from the Allentown Fire Department as Deputy Chief after almost 30 years of service. He also taught basic rescue and other fire related courses at LCCC and Northampton Community College. John was a certified NIMS instructor and on the EMS and Hazmat Team. After his retirement, he worked part-time as the NIMS Coordinator for Lehigh County.
In addition to his wife, Carmela, he is lovingly remembered by his daughters: Margaret-Beth Gallagher, wife of Dr. Francis Gallagher, and Stephanie Ott; grandson: Franky Gallagher; brothers: William D. Ott and David Ott, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Jon-Anthony Ott, and a brother, Michael Ott.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, July 14th from 8:30 AM-9:30 AM at Weber Funeral Home, 1619 Hamilton St. Allentown, PA 18102. Mass of Christian burial to follow at 10AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 1046 W Cedar St, Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s memory to AFD Local 302, 723 Chew St. 2nd Floor Allentown, PA 18102.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of John E. Ott, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
I.A.F.F. Local 302
