Submitted by his daughter

Jack Gazalie‚ a Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher and volunteer firefighter began early appreciating the hard work of those who served their community. Jack’s father paved his way by volunteering with the Strawpump Fire Department. When Jack was just 16 years old‚ he decided to follow in his fathers footsteps by volunteering himself as a Jr. Fireman.

As Jack got older‚ he moved on to Adamsburg Community Volunteer Fire Department. During his twenty years of service‚ he held the title of both Lieutenant and Captain. Within these twenty years‚ he also held the title as Captain with the Hempfield Township Fire Police and was a long time member and Captain of the Jeannette Auxiliary Police. For almost ten years‚ Jack had a career as a 911 Westmoreland County dispatcher where he did what he knew best ~ helping others through strenuous times.

In addition to serving his community. Jack was well loved by many people who he personally took the extra time and effort to help through difficult times. He would always have a joke or a up beat outlook to help ease tension in both family‚ friends and the citizens who were so very important to him.

Many people were saddened when the news broke the following morning‚ in the early morning of August 3‚ 2000‚ a terrible fire had broken out at Jack’s apartment. Jack was able to help his daughter Jackie and his mother Norma safely out of the house. As with normal routine for Jack‚ he thought of others before himself. Unfortunately‚ Jack was unable to protect himself before he was over taken by the smoke.

At an early age of 46‚ the community had lost a dear friend to something Jack fought so hard to protect others against. He was one Fallen Firefighter who is truly missed by all.