Firefighters and community members came together Wednesday to grieve and mourn over the loss of chaplain and firefighter Joseph Nealon, Jr.
Chaplain and firefighter Joseph Nealon, Jr. of the Newport Township Fire Department unexpectedly died Saturday while on duty. After working with several Luzerne County fire departments over the years, Nealon was someone who will never be forgotten as a large crowd waited outside of the Strish Funeral Home in Ashley Wednesday morning, honoring him and paying their respects.
“Joe was a good man. He was always front and center no matter what we needed. If someone else didn’t want to do it, Joe would do it,” Hanover Township Fire Department Chief Joe Temarantz said.
“Always there to help anybody out whenever in need. He was just a stand-up community guy. He spent most of his time helping the community, except I think when he was sleeping and eating,” Ashley Fire Department Chief Wes Saltz said.