The skies had just barely cleared, with a glorious rainbow streaking the backdrop, as firefighters, the public and local dignitaries celebrated the life and service of Bristol Fire Police Captain David Wintz Sr.
Firefighters marched in unison from Bristol Fire Company 51 on Wood Street, as a lone bagpipe hummed while the group they headed towards the Bristol Borough Municipal Building on Pond Street for a ceremony to memorialize Bristol Fire Captain David Wintz.
Advertisements
Wintz, the third firefighter in the borough’s history to lose his life in the line of duty, was remembered for his dedication and commitment to the borough as a firefighter.
He died in the line of duty after a major fire at the Dow Chemical Plant on May 16, 2012.
“I hope that his will be the last name on there,” Merle Winslow, Bristol Borough emergency manager, said in his opening address.
Advertisements
State Rep. John Galloway reflected the mood of the ceremony by extending his thanks to the Wintz family, first-responders, and those families “dedicated to waking up when that call came” to do the work of protecting communities in times of crisis.
The procession of approximately 60 firefighters, started on Wood Street proceeded on to Market Street before making a right hand turn on to Pond Street. On Pond Street, the group came to rest for the ceremony outside of the borough hall and in front of Bristol Consolidated Fire Company, where Wintz’s name and spirit will remain engraved in the Julian R. Bley Memorial.
Advertisements
PHOTOS: Memorial Ceremony for Bristol Borough Fire Police Captain David Wintz Sr.
Bristol Fire Company Chief Herb Slack said after the ceremony that maybe some closure could happen for the family and alike but its been tough on everyone.
The ceremony, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, included addresses by Bristol Mayor Robert Lebo, Councilwoman Robyn Trunell and Stacey Mulholland, district director for Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick’s office.
Advertisements
Trunell who shared about a personal experience she had with Wintz called him a “quiet hero” and a good man.
The emotional pitch of the evening came when during the presentation to the Wintz family with the inscription of the firefighter who served for 50 years at area firehouse’s revealed.
Advertisements
“I just want to thanks to my Chief Herb Slack, my (fire) company and the community for recognizing my father with pride, dignity and the up-most respect. I’m sure my father is looking down upon all of us just thinking, ‘wow, they did all this for me when all I did was respond to a job that I so loved to do,” Sue Wintz Griscavage said after the ceremony.
The public was invited to the Bristol Borough Senior Center following the ceremony where friends and family exchanged memories and told stories about Wintz.
Advertisements
Wintz’s oldest son, a firefighter for the Vorhees Fire Company in New Jersey, said it was about time that the ceremony was held.
Advertisements
The following was read into the Congressional Record by Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick and read by Mulholland to the audience Friday night.
