‘Unparalleled’: Allentown fire marshal, longtime Montgomery County firefighter, dies of cancer

A longtime fire official in Allentown died recently after more than a yearlong battle with cancer.

On Friday, the Allentown Fire Department announced that fire Marshal Jeffrey Tomczak, who had been in that position since 2018, had died. Allentown Firefighters Local 302 IAFF said on social media that Tomczak died peacefully after a roughly 15-month battle with cancer.

Tomczak, who was hired in 2010, spent three years on reserve before serving as a driver of a truck with the 3rd Platoon, according to the fire department. He was promoted to fire marshal in 2018.

“He was dedicated to the citizens of Allentown and his brothers of Local 302. RIP brother we will see you on the other side,” the IAFF post reads in part.

Tomczak was longtime member of the fire department in Upper Gwynedd Township in Montgomery County. He served as the chief there, and was also once the township fire marshal, according to the department. He also served in the military and other public safety agencies.

“Jeff joined our department in August of 1996, serving faithfully and professionally until present day. His vast knowledge and experience in the fire service was unparalleled,” the Upper Gwynedd department’s post reads in part.

He is survived by his wife and two sons.

The Upper Gwynedd department said services for Tomczak will be held Friday and Saturday.

Viewings will be held 5:30-8 p.m. Friday and 8:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday at Corpus Christi Church, 900 Sumneytown Pike in Lansdale. His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. after the morning viewing.