A Good Friend & Fellow Fire Buff Passes Away

[yfdgricker]

A Good Friend and Fellow Fire Buff, Ed Conricote, Passes Away

On February 23, 2004 at 16:11, the Liberty Fire Department was dispatched to 2790 Barth for a reported car on fire in the garage. Ed Conricote, a 15 year veteran, responded and began helping pull hose. Details are sketchy but it appears that Ed took a hard fall on the fireground. Despite numerous attempts to revive him, Ed was rushed to Saint Elizabeth's hospital and was pronounced dead a short time later. An autopsy is being performed to determine the exact cause of death but it appears that he died of a massive trauma to the head.

Since Ed was a child, he had always dreamed of becoming a firefighter. He grew up on the North side of Youngstown and later could often be found visiting neighborhood friends at Youngstown's Station 7. Ed was always glad to lend a hand. He went to seminary school to become a priest but left before completing the requirements. He then was a drug salesman in the Cleveland area. Ed moved to Liberty and worked for the Liberty Street Department and was a Volunteer for the Liberty Fire Department (http://www.libertytwp.com/fire.html) at the time of his passing.  

He was a founding member of FirePage Ohio (FPO/D323) and he was an avid fire and train buff. He was a good friend to many and always greeted you with a friendly smile. Any discussion you had with Ed was bound to elicit his catch phrase "very good" which was as contagious as his friendship. Ed passed away doing what he loved best, helping others. He will be deeply missed.

Ed was never married and is survived by his mother and brother who also resides in the Youngstown area and a sister in Canton. Ed was 55 years old.  

Ed was a great friend and we logged many hours talking about firefighting and about the Youngstown Fire Department. He was a wealth of knowledge and he was just an all around great guy.

Ed was a member of this message board. May he rest in peace.

(Updated 2/24/2003 20:10)

[yfdgricker]

Press Release from the Liberty Fire Department...

On Monday February 23, 2004 at 16:11 hours, 15-year veteran volunteer firefighter Eddie Conricote died in the line of duty. He was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Health Center. Further information will be released as soon as it is available.

[Bs918]

Let me add my deepest sympathy to Ed’s family and friends. When I heard the news last night I just could not believe it. I had the privilege of meeting Ed many years ago when I was the Chief Communications Officer at the YFD. Ed spent many hours in the old “Alarm Room” and would listen to dispatches and talk with all the firefighters. Ed would often go out on runs and was a very familiar face at our fire scenes and at all of the Fire Houses in Youngstown.

Ed always greeted you with a smile and a good word. Ed loved the fire service and especially the YFD; I was looking forward to seeing Ed up at the Cleveland show in a few weeks. I could not agree with Greg more when he said Ed went out doing what he loved, I will miss my old friend, but I will never forget him.

[yfd4]

shocked
what else can we feel at this time of disbelief along with a rude awakening that yes even the war horses of fire buffing are in fact mortals
thanx to greg ricker for getting to know ed a gentle giant/teddy bear type harmless soul

very grieved

[yfdgricker]

From the Warren Tribune Chronicle 2/24/2004...
http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/news/story/0224202004_new001Libertyfire24.asp

Volunteer Firefighter Dies After Fire Call

JOE GORMAN and ANGELIQUE McKOWAN
Courtesy of Tribune-Chronicle

LIBERTY - A township volunteer firefighter died at St. Elizabeth Health Center after he was hurt about 4:15 p.m. Monday at the scene of a house fire on Barth Avenue, fire Chief Michael Durkin said.

The Trumbull County coroner is investigating the cause of 55-year-old Eddie Conricote's death, Durkin said.

Conricote had been a volunteer with the department for 15 years.

NewsChannel 33 reported that firefighters were called to the home because a car in the garage caught on fire. Two cars in the garage were damaged, as well as a room above the garage.

Conricote also worked for the township Road Department and previously had worked for the Park Department.

Trustee W. Gary Litch said Conricote enjoyed his job with the Fire Department.

''He was a good employee,'' Litch said. ''He was a good person. It's unfortunate.''

Tim Monroe, Conricote's supervisor on the Road Department, said he worked with Conricote for the last 10 years.

''Eddie was a great guy,'' Monroe said. ''He loved the work he did. He loved being a volunteer firefighter.

''He was a very intelligent guy. A good guy to be around. He was never angry. He always had a smile on his face.''

Monroe said Conricote's brother and mother both live in the area, and his mother was at the hospital when Conricote was brought in. Monroe also said Conricote had a sister who lives in Canton who also was heading here when she learned of her brother's death.

''It's very sad. It's very unexpected,'' Monroe said. ''It puts everything in perspective when someone you work with is gone. It makes you take a step back and re-examine what your relationships are with your friends and the people you work with.''

The incident recalled the July 29, 1981, fire in which five Warren firefighters were seriously burned. One of them, Joseph Rich, died of a heart attack about four years later after taking early retirement.

[yfdgricker]

From the WKBN Channel 27 Web Site...

Trumbull County
Died While Battling A Fire

A community is grieving, over the loss of a dedicated and longtime firefighter.

(2/24/04) 55-year-old Edward Conricote fell and died at the scene of a fire in Liberty Township on Monday.

It was after four in the afternoon, a family just home from vacation noticed smoke billowing from their car. Liberty Township firefighters got the call about a garage fire on Barth Drive. And several volunteer firefighters also heard the tone. One of them was 55 year old Edward Conricote, a 15 year volunteer. He arrived at the fire quickly, and started helping fellow fighters pull hose - - when he suddenly fell, striking his head on the ground.

At the time, no one knew just how bad it was. The shock of the accident, worry for a friend, and the strain of putting out the fire kept crews silent, but minutes later, crews learned that Conricote's fall had been fatal.

Right now, we do not know the cause of Conricote's death - - but the coroner is investigating.

[yfdgricker]

From WOIO Channel 19 Cleveland...
http://www.woio.com/Global/story.asp?s=1664680

Firefighter dies after falling at house fire call

WARREN, Ohio (AP) - A volunteer firefighter died after falling while pulling hose from a truck to fight a fire in a house garage, officials said.

Fire Chief Michael Durkin of nearby Liberty Township said an autopsy was ordered to determine if Eddie Conricote, 55, had suffered a heart attack or other medical emergency before falling Monday afternoon.

Conricote, who worked for the township road department, suffered severe head injuries in the fall and was declared dead at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown.

Two medic-trained firefighters helped Conricote while other firefighters battled the fire.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[yfdgricker]

From the Newschannel 5 Website...
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/2869192/detail.html

Firefighter Dies Battling Blaze In Garage
55-Year-Old Was Volunteer Firefighter

POSTED: 7:28 am EST February 24, 2004
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A firefighter died while fighting a house fire in Trumbull County Monday.

Eddie Conricote, 55, died while trying to put out a car fire inside a garage, NewsChannel5 reported.

The coroner will do an autopsy to figure out exactly how the Liberty Township firefighter died. He died at Saint Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown.

Conricote was a volunteer firefighter. He worked for the township road department.

Copyright 2004 by NewsNet5. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[yfdgricker]

From the WYTV Channel 33 Web Site

Volunteer Firefighter Dies On The Job
Liberty Twp.
Cheri Colelli

The Mahoning County coroner's office is investigating what caused the death of a Liberty volunteer firefighter.

Ed Conricote died while working a garage fire on Barth Drive Monday. People at the Liberty Fire Department say it's always hard to lose a co-worker, but Conricote's death is especially hard to take.

Conricote collapsed while helping pull hose to fight the fire.

Fire Chief Michael Durkin says the 15-year volunteer had heart trouble in the early 90s.

Calling hours for Conricote are on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McVean and Hughes Funeral Home in Youngstown.

Other arrangements are still being worked out.

[Bs918]

This is a message from the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Fire Administration.  
You may submit your comments or request additional information, by contacting USFA
through our web site at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/applications/feedback/
------------------------------------
The U.S. Fire Administration has received notice of the following
firefighter fatalities:

Name: Elliott Davis Jr.
Rank: Fire Commissioner
Age: 51
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service:  Unknown
Date of Incident: 02/22/2004
Time of Incident: 1430hrs
Date of Death: 02/22/2004        
Fire Department Name:  Gloster Rural Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Department Address: P.O. Box 1019, Gloster, MS 39638
Fire Department Phone: 601-225-4771
Fire Department Chief: Harry Huff    
Cause of Death: Fire Commissioner Davis was operating a 1997 GMC C-8500
town-owned fire truck headed to a grass fire. The apparatus, reportedly
traveling at an estimated 50 to 55 mph, swerved to avoid oncoming traffic
and left the roadway to the right, over-corrected, ran off the roadway to
the left, over-corrected a second time, causing the vehicle to roll over
due to weight shifting back and forth.  The apparatus made three-quarters
of a flip and came to rest lying on its passenger side. Davis was
partially ejected and died at the scene from massive head trauma. Neither
Davis nor another firefighter riding in the apparatus and sent to the
hospital for observation were wearing seat belts.

Name: Rich Gabrielli
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 70
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 37    
Date of Incident: 02/23/2004
Time of Incident:    1227hrs
Date of Death: 02/23/2004        
Fire Department Name:     George G. McMurtry Volunteer Fire Department    
Fire Department Address: PO Box 6, Vandergrift, PA  15690
Fire Department Phone: 724-567-7171
Fire Department Chief:     Thomas M. Schaeffer
Cause of Death: While performing fire police functions on the scene of a
working fire at the Vandergrift plant of Allegheny Ludlum Steel
Corporation, Firefighter Gabrielli collapsed and died from a cause still
to be determined.

Name: Eddie Conricote
Rank: Firefighter
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Status: Volunteer
Years of Service: 15
Date of Incident: 02/23/2004
Time of Incident:    1615hrs
Date of Death: 02/23/2004            
Fire Department Name:     Liberty Township Fire Department    
Fire Department Address: 4001 Logan Way, Youngstown, OH 44505
Fire Department Phone: (330) 759-0363
Fire Department Email: station35@neo.rr.com
Fire Department Chief: Chief Michael Durkin            
Cause of Death: Firefighter Conricote died from a cause still to be
determined while pulling hose off of the back of the apparatus while
working a residential structure fire.
Memorial Fund Contact and Address:     In memory of Firefighter Eddie
Conricote, C/o Liberty Township Fire Department, 4001 Logan Way,
Youngstown, OH 44505

Tribute is being paid to Commissioner Davis, Firefighter Gabrielli and
Firefighter Conricote at:
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/inside-usfa/ffmem/ffmem.shtm

Additional information on firefighter fatalities may be found on the USFA
web site at:
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/inside-usfa/nfdc/nfdc-data5.shtm

To date, 17 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2004.

-

[yfdgricker]

This is from a fax that was passed along to me from the Liberty Fire Department:
 
Calling hours Friday 1600-2000 @ McVean & Hughes, 711 Wick Ave
Services Saturday, 10:00, at Immaculate Conception Church, 811 Oak St
Internment to follow at Calvary Cemertary on Belle Vista Ave, Youngstown
 
Any fire department sending apparatus or personnel should contact LTFD by 2-26 @ 17:00. 330-759-0363 or 220-759-7792(fax). Apparatus must stage at the church at 09:00.
 
The following hotels are offering special rates due to the cirumstances:
 
Hampton Inn 330-759-9555 ($59.00)
Holiday Inn 330-759-0606 ($65.00)
Quality Inn 330-759-3180 ($45.00)

[yfdgricker]

I've also recieved word that Youngstown L22 and Brookfield L18 will be performing the crossed ladders at a location on the procession path.

The casket will be carried from the church to the cemetery on Youngstown's parade truck.

7-15 members of the Columbus Pipe and Drum corp will be in attendance.

Firefighters as far away as Houston (and I'm sure even farther than that) are making the trip.

[daysleeper47]

Colleagues remember firefighter

By KEITH ARNOLD Tribune Chronicle

LIBERTY - The 55-year-old Liberty Township volunteer firefighter who died Monday after falling at the scene of a garage fire was a firefighter to the core, Chief Michael A. Durkin said.

If there was ever a human being who should be a firefighter it was Eddie Conricote, Durkin said Tuesday evening.

He described his associate as a fabulous guy.

Conricote, who died Monday evening after he was transported from a garage fire on Barth Avenue, may have died from injuries suffered during a fall at the scene of the fire.

A dispatcher for Liberty Township Police and Fire departments said Conricote was transported to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown after he fell off the back of one of the emergency vehicles.

Cindy Emmert said Conricote was pulling hoses from the back of a truck when he fell. The truck was stationary, Emmert added.

Durkin said it hasn't been determined whether Conricote suffered a heart attack before he fell or if he died from injuries sustained in the fall.

The Mahoning County coroner's ruling on the cause of death is pending.

Conricote had his first professional experience with firefighters when he served as a priest for 16 years. Durkin said Conricote was a counselor who worked with countless area firefighters at St. Joseph Health Center.

According to the chief, Conricote's love of the job began like a lot young boys who develop a sort of hero worship of firefighters.

Some of his outside interests were related to his profession, too. Conricote started the Ohio Fire Web page - an Internet site developed as a resource and a forum for firefighters statewide.

Durkin said Conricote made friends wherever he went.

The chief said his department would be participating in Conricote's funeral service.

There are firefighters from Baltimore, Houston, Columbus and all over coming here for the funeral.

''He loved what he was doing,'' Durkin said. ''We don't like firefighters to die (at a fire), but Eddie always said 'If I have to die, I want it to be here.'''

He said most of the department personnel have stayed close to the station the past two days.

''We're dealing with it moment by moment,'' he said. ''We'll be all right. We just have got to be able to deal with it.''

An impromptu shrine was put together following Conricote's death. His department photograph, his fire helmet and an American flag were at the center of a large table where area residents dropped off food throughout the day.

The last time an area firefighter was killed on the job was in 1950 when Thomas K. Scott, 35, a Vienna Township volunteer firefighter, was killed while responding to a blaze at the Joseph Mazella farm.

Scott, who also served as assistant postmaster, died of a heart attack, according to a published account in the Tribune Chronicle's May 9, 1950 , issue.

karnold@tribune-chronicle.com

[yfdgricker]

From the Youngstown Vindicator Page B3 Col 4

Edward P. Conricote, 55

     LIBERTY TOWNSHIP – There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Immaculate Conception Church for Edward P. Conricote, 55, who passed away Friday afternoon in the emergency room at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

     He was born July 14, 1948 in Youngstown, the son of Edward J. and Mary Margaret McCann Conricote.

     A1966 Ursuline High School graduate, Mr. Conricote had also graduated from Saint Gregory in Cincinnati and was ordained a priest by Bishop James Malone of the Catholic Dioceses of Youngstown June 8, 1974.

    He was an assistant pastor at St. Nicholas Parish in Struthers and St. Joseph Parish in Alliance and Chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Warren before asking for a leave of absence in 1982. He worked for the road department in Liberty Township and was a volunteer firefighter for Liberty for the past 15 years. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church and its Parish Council.

     Mr. Conricote is survived by his mother, Mary Margaret Conricote of Youngstown; a brother, Robert J. (Kathy) Conricote of Youngstown; a sister, Adelaide (Richard) Reichert of Canton; and eight nieces and nephews, Katie, Molly, Sara and Robbie Conricote and Greg, Ryan, Jason and Kelly Reichert.

     Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the McVean & Hughes Funeral Home.

     The family requests that memorial contributions be made in his name to the Immaculate Conception Church or the Liberty Fire Department.

2-26-04

[Hazguy]

No words can express these pics.