Lifelong Bristol Twp. Firefighter Laid To Rest

Surrounded by a sea of firefighters in dress uniforms, Ed Margavich was laid to rest Saturday as his wife, Trudy, placed a final rose on his casket before burial.

The memorial service for the Third District Fire Company life member drew firefighters from across the region to honor Margavich, 80, whose passing was classified as a Line of Duty Death.

Ed Margavich. Credit: Third District Fire Company

While working a fire police call for an arson fire on Cedar Avenue, Margavich fell while stopping at the Croydon Fire Company station. He suffered a broken femur and died a week later from his injuries and ensuing sepsis.

Margavich’s dedication to public service began as a 16-year-old boy and lasted until the day he was hospitalized.

A past chief and active fire police member, he was a constant fixture at the Third District Fire Company station and on calls. He also served as a member of Bristol Borough’s Goodwill Hose Fire Company.

A truck driver by trade, Margavich was known for his knowledge of fire trucks and for keeping them running. He previously worked as a Bristol Township emergency dispatcher before Bucks County operated its 9-1-1 system and he sold fire trucks to stations around the region.

“The only position he didn’t hold in the fire company was president,” said Joe Gasper, a longtime fire company member. “He said he didn’t want the aggravation.”

For several generations, Margavich was a constant presence in the lives of his fellow members, who often left their children with Margavich and his wife as they went on calls. His passion for service was instilled by his parents, Ed Sr. and Jeanne, who were also members of the fire company.

“He liked to teach. He taught people the way he did things and why he did them,” said Alex Lloyd Gross, a fire police officer who was with Margavich on his last call. “And that was usually the right way and the safe way of getting things done.”

Alex Lloyd Gross speaking. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

A lifelong resident of Bristol Township, Margavich was remembered for his cheerful demeanor.

Just before his fall, he was in a good mood and speaking with fellow fire service members and a reporter covering the arson blaze.

Ed Margavich (right) on his final traffic police call on Aug. 8. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

Margavich was known for responding to as many calls as possible—whether they were at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., Gasper said.

The funeral procession from Harry S. Truman High School to Bristol Cemetery was lined with ladder trucks holding American flags, a show of respect from fire companies in Bucks County, Philadelphia, and Montgomery County.

The funeral procession traveling down Bath Road. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

At the cemetery, Margavich was buried as the first line-of-duty death for the Third District Fire Company, which he joined in 1960.

Third District Fire Chief Howard McGoldrick, Margavich’s nephew, led the final radio dispatch to retire his uncle’s radio identifier.

“Bucks County to all fire companies, radio identifier FP14 and badge 24 are out of service on a final call of duty,” a dispatcher broadcast countywide. “They shall not respond again.”