Frank J. Deal

Frank Joseph Deal was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 22, 1925 to John and Mary Deal. The 1930 Census shows the family at 2639 Tasker Street in South Philadelphia. The family at that time included older siblings John Jr., James, George, Katherine, Mary, William, and a younger sister, Teresa Deal. By 1935 the family had moved to 5 Pleasant Avenue in Tinicum Township, Pennsylvania, which is just south of Philadelphia on the Delaware River.

The 1940 census shows the John and Mary Deal family, which then included children James, George, Mary, William, Frank and Teresa still living at the Pleasant Avenue address.

Frank Deal attended high school through the 10th grade, then enlisted in the United States Navy on October 19, 1943, serving until May 18, 1946. He re-enlisted in the Navy on January 30, 1948 and served until July 11, 1950. He then worked for a year for the Clorox Chemical Company as warehouseman, and for a year at Container Corporation before being appointed to the Camden Fire Department on May 1, 1952. He reported for duty the same day.

Frank J. Deal served with Engine Company 11 as late as 1958. He was promoted to Captain and then to District Chief at some point thereafter, and to Deputy Chief on December 28, 1966. Chief Deal was again promoted, to Assistant Chief, on June 23, 1971. Unfortunately, an accident forced Chief Deal to retire on disability on October 1, 1974.

Frank Deal married around the time he was first discharged from the Navy. His wife Rita bore him five children, Betty, Rita, Frank J. Jr., Lorraine, and Terri. The family made their home at 412 North 37th Street in East Camden.

After his retirement Frank Deal and family moved to Florida. Last a resident of Palm Beach Gardens, he passed away on August 15, 2015. Frank Deal was survived by his wife Rita, his children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and his younger sister. He was buried with full military honors at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth.

Fire Rages for 2 Hours In 3 Stores

A Camden City fire captain collapsed and died while fighting a stubborn two-alarm blaze that roared out of control for almost five hours Tuesday night.

Capt. Leonard Iannelli was directing members of Fire Truck (Ladder Company) 2 when he apparently suffered a heart attack. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Cooper Hospital.

Two other firemen were sent to hospitals for treatment of smoke inhalation. They were District Chief Frank Deal, 35, of 412 North 37th Street and fireman John Yates, 63, of 2400 South 8th Street. Deal was treated at Cooper Hospital and Yates at West Jersey Hospital.

Despite the collapse of a brick wall, which showered stones onto the pavement, there were no other injuries.

In Tailor Shop

The blaze was discovered at 5:45 P.M. in a shop occupied by the Walmart Tailors Co. in a three-story brick building at Broadway and Chestnut Street. At 10:15 P.M., Fire Chief Edward MacDowell declared the fire under control.

Although only two alarms were turned in, extra pieces of apparatus took their positions at the scene as flames damaged the second and third-story levels of adjoining stores at 1105 and 1107 Broadway.

The main floor of the Schrack Paint Co., 1107 Broadway, was untouched by the blaze as firemen concentrated streams of water to head off a possible explosion.

At 9:10 and 9:20 P.M. portions of the wall at the third floor level of the tailor shop collapsed inward. Bricks hurtled onto the sidewalk, but firemen had already taken positions across the street with their equipment.

Use Aerial Ladders

As the fire gained in intensity after the second alarm went in at 6:18, firemen mounted two aerial ladders to pour water into the rear of the burning buildings.

Originally the fire was declared under control at 7:45, but 15 minutes later flames leaped from the tailor shop to the other buildings.

Fire officials said the building housing the tailor shop at 1103 Broadway was a total loss, along with 14 apartments on the second and third floors at 1105 and 1107 Broadway were badly damaged, also.

John’s Bargain Store, 1109–1111 Broadway, separated from the other three buildings by a fire wall, received smoke damage and water seepage.

Tenants Forced Out

Tenants from the apartments above the tailor shop fled to the street, wearing only the clothes on their backs. They were escorted to safety by Police Sgt. John Ferry and Patrolman Alfred Haines, who were first on the scene after the alarm.

The blaze was first noticed by Harold Walter, of 1708 Country Club Lane, Haddonfield, who had just locked up his tailor shop for the day.

Two other firemen suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospitals. They were District Chief Frank Deal, 35, of 412 North 37th Street and John Yates, 63, of 2400 South 8th Street. Deal was treated at Cooper Hospital and Yates at West Jersey Hospital. Finally, at 10:15 P.M., Fire Chief Edward MacDowell declared the fire under control.

Deal, Frank J.

Francis Joseph “Frank” Deal, Sr., 89, of Palm Beach Gardens, died Sunday, August 23, 2015. Frank was born December 22, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After high school, he joined the United States Navy and served his country proudly during World War II. Before moving to the Palm Beaches, Frank and his wife Rita, along with their children lived in Camden, New Jersey where Frank served as Fire Chief of Camden. Frank is survived by his dear wife of almost 70 years, Rita; his children, Betty Schneitzer, Rita Colanero, Frank Deal, Jr., Lorraine Steinberg, and Terri Deal; his nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and his sister, Mrs. Theresa Zito. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00AM Friday, August 28, 2015, at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 10970 Jack Nicklaus Drive (A1A), North Palm Beach, with Rev. Fr. William D. O’Shea presiding. Committal services and burial, with full military honors, will follow at 11:15AM at South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Lane 1.