It is with deep regret that the officers and members of the Lingohocken Fire Company announce the passing of Deputy Chief, and past Chief, Francis Gorski, who passed away on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010.

Francis M. Gorski joined the Lingohocken Fire Company on May 4, 1959 as a Junior Firefighter, following his father Joe, and his Uncle Jack into the fire service. Over the past 51 years, Fran served the Fire Company and community in a variety of elected and appointed offices. He served on, and chaired multiple committees. He served as Treasurer, Chief Engineer, Assistant Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, and Fire Chief, serving each position with fidelity and integrity. For the past two and a half decades, he served as the Deputy Fire Chief, a position in which he was well respected by fellow firefighters throughout the region. He was an expert with apparatus and machinery, with extensive experience in this area from his own business.

Among his many accomplishments were recent ones - he personally rescued a canoeist from floodwaters in the Neshaminy Creek on August 2, 2009, and he was a part of a team that has been awarded the 2010 Pennsylvania State Firemen's Association Valor award for the July 16, 2009 rescue at Hanson Aggregates on Swamp Road in Wrightstown Twp. Just a few weeks prior to his death, Fran served as the Manpower Officer on August 16, 2010 at the Stony Hill Road house fire assist to Midway Fire Co. Less than 24 hours before his death, Fran worked to extricate a driver involved in a fatal car accident in Upper Makefield Township, and later that night responded to a carbon monoxide detector activation at a residence in Buckingham Township. That is just the kind of guy Fran was.

So many people were touched by Fran's generosity, and his service to the community. Most of all, he was a good friend. He will be missed dearly.

Click here for a news article on Fran Gorski.