The Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Fund (CFFMF) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization registered with the Ohio Secretary of State and the IRS.
If you have questions about how you can help contribute to our campaign, please fill out this form and a member of the Memorial Fund will respond to you as soon as possible.
Cleveland Fire Fighters Memorial Fund
c/o Cleveland Fire Department Headquarters
1645 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
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| NAME | NAME AND PLACE ON MEMORIAL | DATE OF
DEATH |
DATE OF INJURY | COMPANY | INCIDENT |
| Paul N. Aukens | Paul Aukins panel 1, number 1 |
2/27/1869 | 2/24/1869 | Engine Co. 1 | Died from injuries after being buried by falling debris at fire in the New England Block, 45 Broadway. |
| John C. Sturges | John C. Sturges panel 1 , number 2 |
8/25/1870 | 8/25/1870 | Engine Co. 5 | Accident with hose cart. Pinned up against left wheel of steamer while tending fire box. |
| Henry O. Loomis | Henry O. Loomis panel 1, number 3 |
2/14/1873 | 1/16/1873 | Captain Protection Co. |
Thrown from salvage wagon at St. Clair & Wood Streets while responding to an alarm.. |
| Samuel A. Fitch | Samuel Fitch panel 1, number 4 |
4/10/1879 | same date | Ladder Co. 2 | Thrown from apparatus in a collision with Pearl Street street car while responding to an alarm. |
| John F. Maher | John F. Maher panel 1, number 5 |
9/11/1879 | – – – – | Engine Co. 13 | Died from effects of consumption contracted in department service. |
| John T. Gillson | John T. Gillson panel 1, number 6 |
6/6/1882 | 4/10/1882 | Captain Ladder Co. 2 |
Died from the effects of inhaling sulfuric acid while working at a fire at Powell Tool Company at Winslow and Elm Streets in the Flats. |
| Henry C. Harmon, Jr. | Henry C. Harmon panel 1, number 7 |
1/15/1884 | 1/6/1884 | Engine Co. 12 | Died from complications from the cold and exposure while working at the Park Theater fire. |
| Henry Gensert | Henry Gensert panel 1, number 8 |
6/11/1887 | same date | Ladder Co. 2 | Thrown from Chemical B (manned by members of Ladder Co. 2) while en route to Box 125 |
| Timothy Graham | Timothy Graham panel 1, number 9 |
10/20/1888 | 10/17/1888 | Cadet in training | Died as a result of injuries from fall while training on newly acquired Pompier ladder. |
| Samuel Peace | Samuel Pease panel 1, number 10 |
5/18/1891 | – – – – | Engine Co. 5 | Died as a result of abscess caused from a fall from apparatus months earlier.. |
| Henry Ressler | Henry Ressler panel 1, number 15 |
10/26/1891 | same date | Lieutenant Ladder Co. 1 |
Died as a result of injuries suffered in a fall from a ladder during a drill. |
| John Grady | John Grady panel 1, number 11 |
11/15/1891 | same date | Captain Engine Co. 1 |
Injured while working at Scott & Foreman Co. fire downtown. |
| Michael J. Howley | Michael Howley panel 1, number 12 |
12/ 3/1891 | 11/15/1891 | Engine Co. 6 | Injured while fighting fire in Scott & Foreman Co. block on Frankfort Street that destroyed a total of 10 buildings. |
| Willis Hizer | Willis Hizer panel 1, number 13 |
9/29/1894 | same date | Ladder Co. 1 | Injured when thrown from ladder truck en route to Box 9 and died as a result of those injuries. |
| Michael Welch | Michael Walsh panel 1, number 14 |
9/12/1896 | 9/10/1896 | Engine Co. 1 | Fell from hose cart en route to a fire, taken to a hospital and died of those injuries. |
| William A. Reynolds | William A. Reynolds panel 1, number 16 |
8/15/1897 | same date | Captain
Engine Co. 8 |
Collapsed and died while working at a fire at 314 Starkweather Ave. |
| William B. MacFeeters | William B. MacFeeters panel 1, number 17 |
12/23/1897 | same date | Lieutenant
Engine Co. 1 |
Fell down open elevator shaft from fourth floor of Powers Block on Frankfort Street during a fire. |
| Sylvester Esterle | Sylvester Esterle panel 1, number 18 |
7/14/1898 | 7/1/1898 | Engine Co. 8 | Driver, thrown from steamer on Jefferson Street hill en route to alarm at Hemry Box Works, 132 Jefferson Street. |
| William H. Roth | William Roth panel 1, number 19 |
3/24/1899 | same date | Lieutenant
Engine Co. 7 |
Injured by collapse of floor at fire in the Cleveland Machine Screw Works, 325-89 Perkins Avenue. The fire started in Dangler Stove Works next door. |
| Sheldon Wright | Sheldon Wright panel 1, number 21 |
8/19/1901 | same date | Bat. Chief
Battalion 5 |
Collapsed after returning from fire at Cleveland Storage Co., Scranton and Girard. |
| Patrick H. Joyce | Patrick Joyce panel 1, number 22 |
12/ 4/1902 | same date | Engine Co. 14 | Trapped under falling walls at fire in factory of Likly & Rockett Case and Hamilton Streets. |
| Joseph L. Flaherty | Joseph L. Flaherty panel 1, number 20 |
4/20/1903 | 4/20/1903 | Hose Co. 2 | Tripped in dark in dormitory at Station 35 and fell down pole hole opening. |
| Robert Reid | Robert Reid panel 1, number 23 |
11/16/1903 | same date | Ladder Co. 2 | Trapped under collapse of building used as car barns, 1313 Pearl Street. Died at hospital. |
| Robert Duffy | Robert Duffy panel 1, number 24 |
11/16/1903 | same date | Ladder Co. 2 | Trapped under collapse of building used as car barns, 1313 Pearl Street. Killed instantly. |
| James Schweda | James Schweda panel ,1 number 25 |
11/16/1903 | same date | Ladder Co. 2 | Trapped under collapse of building used as car barns, 1313 Pearl Street. Killed instantly. |
| William D. Rowe | William D. Rowe panel 1, number 26 |
3/10/1906 | 3/ 9/1906 | Engine Co. 3 | Injured in accident with trolley car on Central Avenue opposite Station No. 3 |
| Herman David | Herman David panel 1, number 27 |
6/19/1911 | same date | Engine Co. 13 | Thrown from engine on Dille Road hill en route to fire at Grasselli Chemical Company. |
| James R. Killoran | James R. Killoran panel 1, number 28 |
10/26/1915 | same date | Captain
Hose Co. 6 |
Accident between apparatus and street car at East 43 and Central Avenue while responding to shed fire at 2418 E. 61st Street. Six men were injured and Captain Killoran died later of his injuries. |
| William P. Rush, Sr. | William P. Rush, Sr. panel 1, number 29 |
5/11/1917 | same date | Lieutenant
Engine Co. 27 |
Died of injuries suffered when thrown from horse drawn wagon of Engine 27 at Lakeside and West 3rd en route to alarm at West 3rd and the railroad crossing. |
| William J. Haley | William J. Haley panel 1, number 30 |
2/20/1921 | same date | Engine Co. 12 | Accident responding to 2223 West 61 Street (Box 878) . |
| Patrick H. Jordan | Patrick Jordan panel 1, number 31 |
6/3/1921 | same date | Captain Engine Co. 4 |
Died of injuries suffered by fall through pole hole at quarters. |
| Walter Reed | Walter Reed panel 1, number 32 |
10/23/1923 | same date | Bat. Chief Battalion 8 |
Died from effects of carbon monoxide poisoning after being overcome at fire in American Tent and Awning Co., 12006 Euclid Ave. |
| Richard Elwood | 11/30/1928 | 11/18/1928 | Ladder Co.5 | Died from injuries after falling through a floor at a fire at 3114 West 32nd St. | |
| Arthur E. Stanbury | Arthur Stansbury panel 1, number 33 |
12/26/1928 | same date | Ladder Co. 8 | Died of injuries when thrown from truck at E. 79th and Cedar after truck skidded into a pole en route to fire at 7713 Central Ave. |
| Daniel J. O’Laughlin | Daniel O’Laughlin panel 1, number 34 |
3/20/1932 | 3/16/1932 | Engine Co. 28 | Died as a result of exposure during a fire on March 16th at Century Power Building. |
| Michael Bolivar | Michael Bolivar panel 1, number 35 |
11/26/1932 | same date | Engine Co. 19 | Died as a result of injuries suffered in a vehicle accident en route to alarm on E. 77 Street. |
| Fred E. Brown | Fred Brown panel 1, number 36 |
2/ 8/1935 | same date | Lieutenant Engine Co. 13 |
Died of injuries sustained at fire in Atlas Steel Supply Co., 4401 Trumbull Avenue. |
| Leo A. Murphy | Leo Murphy panel 1, number 37 |
5/ 5/1935 | same date | Lieutenant Engine Co. 26 |
Died from injuries suffered when thrown from apparatus in accident at East 79th Street and Woodland en route to false alarm at 7600 Platt Avenue. |
| Roy Haylor | Roy Haylor panel 1, number 38 |
12/11/1938 | 12/11/1938 | Captain Engine Co. 10 |
Died of effects of chronic coronary thrombosis from fumes inhaled at the Luna Park Fire, Woodland Avenue and Woodland Road . |
| Charles W. Klocksen | Charles Klocksen panel 2, number 1 |
3/31/1943 | same date | Lieutenant Ladder Co. 6 |
Collapsed and died at fire in Oster Manufacturing Co., 2057 East 61st Street |
| Patrick J. Mangan | Patrick Mangan panel 2, number 2 |
3/11/1944 | same date | Engine Co. 20 | Trapped under collapsing wall in fire at Cleveland Union Stockyards, 3200 West 65th Street. |
| Norman H. Kitzerow | Norman Kitzerow panel 2, number 3 |
3/11/1944 | same date | Engine Co. 20 | Trapped under collapsing wall in fire at Cleveland Union Stockyards, 3200 West 65th Street. |
| James J. Cull | James J. Cull panel 2, number 4 |
4/19/1945 | 4/17/1945 | Engine Co. 34 | Driver of Engine Co. 34. Died of injuries when thrown from apparatus in vehicle accident. |
| Theodore P. Brenyas | Theodore Brenyas panel 2, number 5 |
3/26/1947 | same date | Captain Engine Co. 23 (serving as acting battalion chief) |
Trapped under falling debris and walls of Franklin Blvd. Methodist Church, West 32nd Street and Franklin Blvd. |
| Paul I. Green | Paul I. Green panel 2, number 6 |
1/16/1948 | same date | Hose Co. 2 | Trapped under collapsing structure at Russo Wine Co. fire, 2807 Lorain Avenue. |
| Harry H. Spencer | Harry Spencer panel 2, number 7 |
1/16/1948 | same date | Engine Co. 6 | Trapped under collapsing structure at Russo Wine Co. fire, 2807 Lorain Avenue. |
| John J. Kilbane | John J. Kilbane panel 2, number 8 |
5/12/1949 | same date | Engine Co. 19 | Collapsed at fire in Milmar Company, a furniture manufacturer, 5213 Euclid Ave. |
| Henry F. Lange | Henry F. Lange panel 2, number 9 |
7/ 9/1949 | same date | Lieutenant Ladder Co. 13 |
Collapsed from heart attack and died at small garage fire at 16326 St. Clair Ave. |
| Joseph W. Vlasty | Joseph Vlasaty panel 2 , number 10 |
2/25/1956 | same date | Engine Co. 24 | Died from a heart problem encountered at Saron Packaging Company, 3131 W. 31st. Street. |
| John W. Poe, Sr. | Jack W. Poe panel 2, number 11 |
9/27/1959 | same date | Captain Engine Co. 17 |
Overcome by smoke, collapsed, and died at Ideal Macaroni Company fire, East 20th Street and Scovill Avenue. |
| Charles A. Prymmer | Charles Prymmer panel 2, number 12 |
1/ 7/1960 | same date | Bureau of First Aid and Rescue |
Collapsed and died while working at three-story apartment building fire, 1846 East 90th Street. |
| Walter A. Kress | Walter Kress panel 2, number 13 |
12/ 1/1962 | same date | Captain Engine Co. 24 |
Collapsed and died as a result of a grass fire at W. 48 & Park. |
| John J. Finucan | John J. Finucan panel 2, number 14 |
2/ 8/1963 | same date | Engine Co. 29 | Overcome, collapsed, and died at fire in 2½ story dwelling at 10312 Somerset Avenue |
| Kenneth F. Jacklitz | Kenneth F. Jacklitz panel 2, number 15 |
2/ 9/1963 | same date | Lieutenant Engine Co. 7 |
Collapsed and died while working at fire in abandoned Penn Square Hotel, 1922 East 55th Street. |
| Robert J. Ternansky | Robert Ternansky panel 2, number 16 |
2/ 9/1963 | same date | Battalion 4 aide | Died from injuries incurred by falling concrete and section of coping and parapet at fire in 3 story apartment, 1706 East 85th Streets. |
| Edwin J. Hart | Edwin J. Hart panel 2, number 17 |
8/13/1963 | same date | Lieutenant Engine Co. 3 |
Trapped under debris at Avis Truck fire, 1204 Carnegie Avenue S.E. |
| John T. McKenna | John T. McKenna panel 2, number 18 |
8/13/1963 | same date | Engine Co. 14 | Blown into the street in explosion at Avis Truck Fire, 1204 Carnegie Avenue S.E. |
| Robert H. Jones | Robert H. Jones panel 2, number 19 |
8/15/1963 | 8/13/1963 | Engine Co. 3 | Died as a result of injuries suffered from flying debris from explosion at Avis Truck Fire, 1204 Carnegie Avenue S.E. |
| Robert L. Marquard | Robert L. Marquard panel 2, number 20 |
9/ 1/1963 | 8/13/1963 | Ladder Co. 7 | Died as a result of extensive burns from explosion at Avis Truck Fire, 1204 Carnegie Avenue S.E. |
| Ralph E. Simon | Ralph E. Simon panel 2, number 21 |
8/ 4/1966 | same date | Engine Co. 33 | Injured by explosion at Metallurgical, Inc., 9801 Walford Avenue S.W. |
| John A. Petz | John A. Petz panel 2, number 22 |
8/ 4/1966 | same date | Rescue Squad 2 |
Injured by explosion at Metallurgical, Inc., 9801 Walford Avenue S.W. |
| Charles G. Doehner | Charles G. Doehner panel 2, number 23 |
8/ 4/1966 | same date | Rescue Squad 2 |
Died from injuries suffered in explosion at Metallurgical, Inc., 9801 Walford Avenue S.W. |
| Joseph G. Toolis | Joseph G. Toolis panel 2, number 24 |
8/ 4/1966 | same date | Ladder Co. 12 | Injured by explosion at Metallurgical, Inc., 9801 Walford Avenue S.W. |
| Stanley W. Lawson, Sr. | Stanley Lawson panel 2, number 25 |
12/24/1966 | same date | Ladder Co. 5 | Collapsed at station after returning from fire in 3 story apartment, 2835 West 25th |
| David W. Hunger | David W. Hunger panel 2, number 26 |
10/14/1967 | same date | Engine Co. 7 | Injured in apparatus accident with auto at East 40th Street and Central Avenue en route to false alarm at East 61st Street and Central Avenue |
| Dennis J. Connors | Dennis J. Connors panel 2, number 27 |
12/15/1968 | same date | Lieutenant Ladder Co. 12 |
Died of injuries suffered when falling through floor at fire in dwelling at 12310 Erwin Avenue SW. |
| George J. Solloway | George J. Solloway panel 2, number 28 |
3/13/1969 | same date | Engine Co. 13 | Collapsed while working at a fire at Smerda Music House, 5800 Broadway. |
| John D. Ruszkowski | John D. Ruszkowski panel 1, number 39 |
4/15/1969 | 4/ 1/1969 | Engine Co. 11 | Collapsed at fire in commercial garage, 10200 Meech Avenue, and never regained consciousness. |
| John J. Gallagher | John J. Gallagher panel 1, number 40 |
6/ 2/1969 | same date | Captain Engine Co. 23 |
Collapsed at fire at St. Anthony Home for Boys, 8301 Detroit Avenue |
| Salvatore Mazzola Jr. | Salvatore Mazzola panel 1, number 41 |
1/15/1970 | same date | Engine Co. 36 | Collapsed and died in station after returning from fire in vacant dwelling, 3720 E. 131 Street. |
| Joseph A. DeCrane | Joseph A. DeCrane panel 1, number 42 |
7/22/1972 | same date | Ladder Co. 12 | Died from injuries suffered when thrown from ladder truck en route to alarm at S.S.Kresge Company, 2180 Brookpark Road. |
| Frank L. Bonacci | Frank L. Bonacci panel 1, number 43 |
10/10/1972 | same date | Engine Co. 6 | Collapsed while working at fire in apartment house, 18518 Harvard Ave. |
| Edward J. Gresky, Jr. | Edward J. Gresky panel 2, number 29 |
2/12/1974 | same date | Rescue Squad 1 |
Died from burns and injuries suffered after falling through floor at a fire in a vacant 4 story brick commercial building, 1430 West 9th Street. |
| John W. McNamee | John W. McNamee panel 2, number 30 |
12/ 7/1974 | same date | Rescue Squad 1 |
Overcome, collapsed, and died while involved in rescue operations at Hawley House hotel fire, 229 St. Clair Avenue |
| Richard F. Ward | Richard Ward panel 2, number 31 |
12/ 3/1983 | same date | Lieutenant Engine Co. 9 |
Collapsed in quarters after returning from a high rise drill. |
| Daniel R. Pescatrice | Daniel R. Pescatrice panel 2, number 32 |
12/31/1985 | same date | Engine Co. 22 | Trapped and overcome in fire at Milner Electric Company, 3804 St. Clair Avenue |
| Edward M. Carey | Edward M. Carey panel 2, number 33 |
6/18/1995 | 3/28/1979 | Captain Engine Co. 13 |
Was in a coma for 16 years as a result of oxygen deprivation following a fall caused by a rotten step while searching the basement of the Barkwell School, 5295 Barkwell.. |
| Panel, Number refers to name position on current monument in Willard Park
Research and compilation by the Western Reserve Fire Museum at Cleveland. Direct questions to museum (216 664 6312 museum). |
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The restoration of the Cleveland Firefighter Memorial figures is complete. The figures will be reinstalled on Tuesday March 12th. The work was overseen by ICA Art Conservation Group and completed by Thomarios, an Akron based company that specializes in coatings for everything from spacecraft to historic building restoration. We are excited about the finished work and look forward to many years of continued tribute to those Cleveland Firefighters who have made the supreme sacrifice.
This work would not have been possible without the generous donations of the members of the Cleveland Fire Department, its retirees and the generous donations of the late Mr. Sam Miller. We thank you for your continued support.
We will conducting a Re-Dedication of the memorial at the beginning of the annual St. Patrick’s Day memorial hosted by the Cleveland Firefighters Shamrock Club. We invite all members, retirees and their families to the event to both honor the fallen firefighters and to view the revitalized memorial. The ceremony begins at 12:30 on Sunday March 17th at the corner of Erieside Ave. and Lerner Way.
We still have some additional work to be completed on the memorial site that will occur over the coming months. Once completed we look forward to many years of tribute to the memory of those firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you all for your contributions and support which have made this possible. You embody the spirit to “Never Forget”.
CFD Memorial Committee
