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.
South 5th Street Fire Rescue
Camden Courier-Post —
One of seven children rescued from a burning house at 444 South 5th Street Friday is shown being carried to safety in the arms of a fireman. Three of the children and a fireman were overcome by smoke. Two civilians rescued four of the children before firemen arrived.
Neighbors Help Family Trapped By Flames
Neighbors and firemen rescued seven children from their beds when fire damaged a home at 444 South 5th st., Friday afternoon.
Three of the children and a fireman were overcome by smoke from the oil stove fire, that caused minor damage. They were treated at Cooper Hospital.
The three children are Jose Castiano, one year; Louis Colon, eight months, and Henry Rodriquez, seven months. The latter two were visiting at Castiano’s home and their addresses were not immediately learned.
The injured fireman is Charles Cook, of Engine Co. 1, 4th and Pine sts.
Children of Widow
Mrs. Yolanda Casiano, 28, a widow, and mother of five of the children, was not at home at the time of the fire. Her four other children were given shelter in the home of Mrs. Margaret Young, of 526 Washington st. They are Huberto and Margie, 7, twins; Juesu, 4, and Yolanda, 3.
Mrs. Concha Garcia, 62, grandmother of the Casiano children, sounded the alarm. She is the wife of the Rev. Hipolito Garcia, minister of the Christian Pentecostal Church of the Living God, located on the first floor at the 5th st. address.
Her cries attracted Phillip Rossi, 34, of 429 S. 5th st., a foreman on the Reading Railroad who was returning home from work, and Michael Cemini, 25, of 925 N. 22nd st., who was tending bar in his father’s saloon at 5th and Washington sts.
Rescued By Ladder
Rossi ran into the house and made his way to the second floor. In the meantime, Cemini found a ladder and placed it at the window. Between them they removed four of the children to safety. By this time firemen from the Pine st. company and 5th and Arch sts. station arrived and removed the other three children on a ladder placed at the front of the house.
Cook was overcome by smoke after he had searched the house to make certain no one remained. He collapsed at the front door.
According to Winfield Leviseur, district fire chief, a crowd of 400 spectators attracted to the scene, cheered as firemen and neighbors carried the children from the house.
Cemini told reporters he recently passed fireman and police civil service examinations, placing, he reported, first on the fireman list, and fifth on the police.
Firemen reported the fire was caused by an oil stove in the kitchen of the home. Damage was confined to furniture, walls, ceiling and floor.
South 5th Street Fire Awards
Camden Courier-Post —
Six Firemen Cited Here for Heroism
Six Camden firemen have been cited for outstanding service by the Fire Department Merit Board for rescuing three Puerto Rican children from a blazing second floor apartment at 444 N. 5th st. last Dec. 26.
Receiving special mention, according to Fire Chief Pfefferle, were District Chief Winfield LeViseur, Capt. Thomas Winstanley, Acting Capt. Eugene Alston, Firemen Frank Deal, Charles Davis and Howard Lewis.
The Merit Board, composed of chiefs in the Camden Fire Department, also pointed out the heroic work of Michael Cimini, a bartender, of 925 N. 22nd st., who rescued four other children before arrival of firemen.
Engine Company 11 Drill, Cramer Hill, 1956
Engine Company 11 on a drill with the 2nd Platoon — Cramer Hill, 1956
From Left: Fireman Ed Kreher, Fireman Mario Fattore, Fireman Frank Deal, Captain Ed Robbins, Fireman Charles Bates
The Firehouse Family
Engine Company 11, 1958
Photo by Bob Bartosz
Seated, from left: Fireman Matthew Davies, Fireman Frank Deal, Captain Edwin Robbins; Fireman William D. O’Connor.
Standing: Fireman Harry J. Allebach, who retired February 1, 1958.
Fire Captain Dies, 2 Men Hurt Battling 2-Alarmer in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
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.
Edward Michalak Appointment, July 1, 1965
July 1, 1965 — On the occasion of Edward Michalak’s appointment to Chief of Department. Seated from left: retiring Chief of Department Edward MacDowell, Chief Edward Michalak, Director Keith Kauffman; standing from left: District Chiefs Frank Deal, Joseph Guarino, Robert Dukes, Anthony Saponare, Theodore Primas, Daniel Jiannetto, Fireman Erwin Brennan, Major William Gwynne of the Volunteers of America Fire Canteen.
Deputy Chief Promotion
Camden Courier-Post —
Handshakes all around greet two veteran Camden firemen after their promotion to Deputy Fire Chiefs by Director of Public Safety Keith Kauffman. The new deputies, Daniel Jiannetto (second from right) of 24 South 33rd Street and Frank Deal (right) of 412 North 37th Street, are congratulated by Kauffman and Department Chief Edward Michalak following yesterday’s swearing-in ceremony at city hall. Jiannetto has been a fireman 19 years, Deal 14 years.
Photos, Mid-1960s–1966
Named: From Left: Deputy Chief Frank Deal, Chief of Department Edward V. Michalak
Fire Department Photographer Bob Bartosz, and Public Safety Director Keith Kauffmann.
Named: 1966, photo by Bob Bartosz
From Left: Public Safety Director Keith Kauffmann, Chief of Department Edward V. Michalak, and Deputy Chief Frank Deal.
Camden Fire Department
Newly Appointed Firefighters,
Named: Standing L to R: Robert De Ford, Jesse Flax Sr., Captain Roy Taggart, Chief Frank Deal, Chief of Department Edward V. Michalak, Robert “Sonny” Frett, Ferdinand Meloni
Walter Szatkowski, Don Harrison
Sitting L to R: Ernest Newkirk, John R. Cianfrani, August “Gus” Barbetta, Richard Prosser, and Paul Delfing..
John Kolessar Promotion
Camden Courier-Post —
4 Firemen Suspended By Melleby
Four veteran members of the Camden Fire Department have been suspended by Harold Melleby, public safety director, on charges stemming from a fight July 21 at Engine Company 9, 27th and Federal Streets.
John Kolessar, an acting captain who was involved in the fight with fireman Peter Carbone, has been suspended for 15 days. He is currently on a three-month leave of absence without pay.
Kolessar pleaded guilty during a departmental disciplinary hearing to charges of conduct unbecoming a public employe, disorderly conduct and assault. No charges were lodged against Carbone.
Deputy Chief Frank Deal, who was acting in the position of Chief Edward V. Michalak who was on vacation when the incident occurred, was suspended for four days, beginning tomorrow. He was cited for neglect of duty, failure to report the fight to Melleby and failure to suspend one or both of the men involved.
Battalion Chief John Giuliano, who was acting deputy chief the day of the fight, and Capt. Robert Briggs, who was acting battalion chief, each received one-day suspensions which end at midnight tonight. They were disciplined for failure to enforce the rules, regulations and orders of the department.
Former Mayor Alfred R. Pierce, counsel for Deal, Giuliano and Briggs, said they have 20 days to file an appeal through Civil Service.
1970 Retirement Dinner
Standing: Frank Deal, Clair “Red” Graham, Arthur Batten, Warren Carter.
Seated: Joshua Robinson
Frank J. Deal, 1970
Obituary
Palm Beach Post — August 26–29, 2015
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.
Fire Department Personnel Cards
Frank J. Deal — Camden Fire Department Personnel Card