Introduction
E. John DeFrancisco Jr.
ERCOLE JOHN DeFRANCISCO JR., known to his brother firefighters simply as John DeFrancisco, was born in 1928 to E. John DeFrancisco Sr. and his wife, the former Sarah Toms. The family, which included older sister Jane, lived at 2924 Constitution Road in Fairview as early as April of 1930 and as late as 1943. It appears that they moved that year to 2861 Idaho Road in Fairview, and they were definitely there by 1947. In the 1940s E. John DeFrancisco Sr. served as a clerk with Camden’s Board of Assessors then went on to a successful career in the real estate business in Camden.
John DeFrancisco Jr. began his service with the Camden Fire Department in December of 1959, coming into the department to replace Captain John Henson, who passed away the previous September. He served with Engine Company 3 in the early 1960s, then was transferred to Rescue Company 1, where he may have served as acting Captain. In the early 1970s he worked at Ladder Company 3 in East Camden. John DeFrancisco was promoted to captain on January 21, 1977.
E. John DeFrancisco moved to Cherry Hill after Camden removed its residency restriction on public employees in the 1970s. He retired from the Camden Fire Department on May 1, 1990 after over 30 years of distinguished service.
E. John DeFrancisco passed away on January 29, 2016. He had retired to New Port Richey, Florida, then moved to Southampton, New Jersey and then returned to Cherry Hill. Plagued with ill health in his last years, he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2012 and suffered a stroke in 2014. He lived out the last year-and-a-half of his life in Medford Care Center with his wife Betty. They were a well liked duo there, often found holding hands and kissing.
E. John DeFrancisco was very active in multiple string bands in both Florida and New Jersey. He was also known to be quite the gardener, having large gardens where he spent hours learning the best ways to grow the best of vegetables as well as watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries. He was also a very educated historian regarding the lost towns of the Pine Barrens and could be found fertilizing rare nut trees in the area. He loved Long Beach Island too, and often took his family to the beaches for the day, only to stop for a peanut butter ice cream cone on the way home.
Equipment Check
Camden Courier-Post —
EQUIPMENT CHECK is completed by Camden Fire Chief Edward Michalak (left) as Capt. John DeFrancisco and Batt. Chief John Mogck (right) place air tanks on new rescue truck. Truck, which replaces one involved in Dec. 9, 1967 accident in which city fireman lost his life, is equipped with most modern accessories.
Camden Fireman Promoted
Camden Courier-Post —
E. John DeFrancisco, a member of the Camden Fire Department for 17 years, was promoted to the rank of captain Friday. DeFrancisco, 48, is a Cherry Hill resident.
Girl, 6, Dies in City Blaze
Camden Courier-Post —
Overcome by grief — A neighbor and fireman comfort Barbara Fustin, whose daughter was critically injured in a blaze at 906 N. 28th St. this morning. Another child was killed in the fire.
Named: Valerie Kalyta, Jennifer Fustin, William Jennings, Donna Jennings, Jeffery Jennings, Robert Wojciechowski, James Bates, Bobby Joe Jennings, Ruby Powell, Joseph Bates, and Hayes Avenue.
By TONY MULDOON – Of the Courier-Post
CAMDEN — A girl was killed and another critically injured this morning in an intense, smoky fire in a row home at 906 N. 28th Street in the Cramer Hill section of the city.
Valerie Kalyta, 6, was pronounced dead of burns and smoke inhalation on arrival at Cooper Hospital-University Medical Center.
Jennifer Fustin, 5, was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and then transferred to the burn unit of St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.
She was in critical condition this morning, suffering from severe smoke inhalation and third degree burns of her arms, legs and chest, covering about 25 percent of her body, hospital officials said.
Valerie was the daughter of a couple identified by neighbors as William and Donna Jennings. Jennifer is the daughter of Barbara Fustin, a friend of the Jennings, and had spent the night with them.
Two other children escaped injury in the 6:38 a.m. blaze. Jeffery Jennings, believed to be about 10 years old, jumped from a second story bedroom window into the arms of neighbors Robert Wojciechowski, 36, and James Bates, 17.
Fire Card
E. John DeFrancisco Jr. – Camden Fire Department