Mercer County Firemen's Memorial Held in Lawrence

Fifty-two firefighters and rescue squad members from throughout Mercer County who died during the past year were remembered during the Mercer County Firemen’s Association’s 2011 Memorial Service that was hosted recently by the Slackwood Volunteer Fire Co. in Lawrence Township.

Fifteen members of various fire ladies auxiliary units from around the county were also remembered.

Among the deceased from Lawrence Township who were honored that night were:

• Bert V. Robbins, past chief, Slackwood Volunteer Fire Co.
• Jeffrey J. Knosky, Slackwood Volunteer Fire Co.
• Christopher M. Budzinski, Slackwood Volunteer Fire Co.
• Paul Ralph Heineman, Slackwood Volunteer Fire Co. & Lawrence Township First Aid Squad
• Robert B. Miller, Lawrence Road Volunteer Fire Co. & Lawrence Township First Aid Squad
• Pasquale J. Picarello, Lawrence Road Volunteer Fire Co.
• Filomena “Fay” Bianchini, Slackwood Volunteer Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary
• Evelyn Wright Kubilewicz, Slackwood Volunteer Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary

As the name of each person was read from the memorial roll, a bell was sounded and a flower was placed in the center of a large Maltese Cross, the traditional symbol of the fire service.

The ladies auxiliary roll was read by Lyle Kennedy, president of the Mercer County Firemen’s Association Ladies Auxiliary, while Mercer County First Assistant Fire Marshal Jim Greschak read the firefighter roll.

Pastor Nina Reeder from Lawrence Road Presbyterian Church gave the invocation and read scripture during the service, while the adult choir from St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church sang selections that included “On Eagle’s Wings” and “Amazing Grace.”

Slackwood Fire Chief Mike Oakley provided the welcome address. Lawrence Township Mayor Greg Puliti (himself a life member of Slackwood Volunteer Fire Co.) and Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes also spoke.