Frank was a dedicated firefighter who rose to the rank of deputy fire chief and was the town’s fire marshal. He lost his life in a tragic car accident responding to his station, where his fellow brothers and sisters from the department bravely tried to save his life. He was very involved with different organizations within the fire department, including the welfare committee, rescue, fire police, and fundraising, to name a few. He was committed to his station, the Defiance Hose Company Engine 3 and 5, which he joined in 1993. In 2005, he ran a crew to bring the station back to its original format. He was very involved with the biannual clam boils and the firemen’s muster, winning the water battle a few times over the years.
Frank was a true Bristolian. He was raised there and lived there most of his life, briefly moving away in his 20s, only to move back because he loved his town. While in high school, he got involved in carpentry and loved it. He started as a carpenter and continued in that field until becoming the fire marshal in 2009.
When he joined the fire department, he got involved with all aspects of the station. He was captain when his station turned 100 and proudly gave out awards and badges to all the station’s personnel. Just before his death he applied for a grant to receive a Humvee to be used as the first forestry truck in Bristol. He dedicated a lot of time with various businesses to help him get the truck on the road. He was one of the instructors for the department. He enjoyed helping all the younger firefighters and watching them grow and was always there for them. He received many awards for his many accomplishments throughout the years.
His first love was always his family. He loved his son and his stepchildren. He loved visiting and playing with his grandchildren and was a great husband. We loved to travel together. For his 50th birthday, he wanted to go on a Disney cruise and go to Disney World. When we went, I was able to surprise him by having his close friend and his wife join us on the cruise. He was so surprised! Then, when we went to Disney World, our oldest grandchildren were able to join us. He went on every ride with them, and his favorite ride was Peter Pan. He was a lot like Peter Pan—a little boy in a man’s body, always playful and with a big sense of humor.
The world and I lost a true hero. He was my rock, and he touched a lot of lives. He will always be missed.
It still only seems like yesterday you left us and all of our hearts broke…
Everyday we miss you. Every call, we miss you. Every coffee run, every muster, water battle… we miss you. Your laughter was infectious. Your kindness even more. Everyday we miss you all the more. But each day that now passes, we know now we are one day closer to you. In the awesome reuniting at the end of this journey too.
God bless you, Frank. From all us, left here behind.
– Michael Iervolino