On January 2‚ 2010‚ Lt. Joe McCafferty was the incident commander at the scene of a residential fire when he collapsed. He later succumbed at Ohio State Medical Center on January 16‚ 2010.
He was a 37-year veteran of the Lancaster Fire Department‚ where he loved‚ lived‚ and laughed. He was the longest serving veteran of the Lancaster Fire Department‚ and he is the only firefighter to have died in the line of duty on the Lancaster Fire Department. He started as an engineer and became one of the first medics to serve prior to his promotion to lieutenant in 1983.
Joe received the Knights of Columbus Blue Coat Award in 1986. He enjoyed serving and dedicated himself to the reading program at a local grade school. In addition to his service‚ Joe was a family man and a devoted father and grandfather. Those were the real loves of his life.
Married 39 years to his wife‚ Vicki‚ he raised three children‚ Amy Burwell‚ Farah (Michael) May‚ and Aaron (Megan) McCafferty. He also has eight grandchildren: Remington‚ Reese‚ Rafe‚ and Stella Burwell; Elijah‚ Chloe‚ and Joyceline May; and Levi McCafferty.
He was a man who lived simply and gave fully. He put God‚ family‚ friends‚ and job always before himself.
Greater love has no man than this‚ that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Joe’s was a life laid down for love.
I miss you grandpa
– StellaI love you and miss you hoppop
– StellaWe were so blessed to have you in our life and call you friend. You are missed. Loved you Joe!
– Anna HeskettHey he was a legend to be remember. He risked his life to save everyone else’s as they said before he put others before himself he fought fo what was right.
– Unknown