First responders from across the region converged in Lansdale Borough on Wednesday morning in order to attend funeral services for Edward ‘Gary’ Minnick, a firefighter with the Colmar Volunteer Fire Company who died in the line of duty on Oct. 1.
Drive-through viewing services were held on Oct. 7 at Huff and Lakjer Funeral Home from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., at which point a procession of friends, family and fire service vehicles took Minnick on one last pass of the Colmar Fire Station on Walnut Street in Hatfield Township before returning to the funeral home.
Minnick, 65, was a firefighter assigned to the Colmar Volunteer Fire Company’s traffic division, and was currently serving as fire police captain, according to an official with the fire company. Minnick had served with the Colmar Fire Company for more than 18 years, and prior to that, he served as a volunteer with the Warminster Fire Department, according to Minnick’s obituary.
“Our community has lost a valued member of our Colmar Volunteer Fire Company in the line of duty this month,” said Rep. Steve Malagari. “I was honored to have been able to pay my respects to such a dedicated member of the fire company. With this being fire prevention week, this is a somber reminder of the risk our firefighters put themselves at to keep us safe. Thank you for your service, firefighter Minnick.”
Following Minnick’s death, Governor Tom Wolf ordered state flags across Montgomery County to be flown at half-staff in honor of Minnick’s service. The order reads, in full:
“Governor Tom Wolf ordered the commonwealth flag on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds in Montgomery County to fly at half-staff immediately in honor of firefighter Edward Minnick of the Colmar Volunteer Fire Company who died in the line of duty on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020.
The commonwealth flag shall be flown at half-staff until sunset on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 – the day of Minnick’s funeral.
The commonwealth flag has flown at half-staff since Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in honor of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic and should continue to fly at half-staff until further notice. The United States flag is to remain at full-staff.
All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.”
Along with his wife, Anna, survivors include three step children, Christina Frederick (Pat), Lansdale, PA, Michael Kehrle (Lisa), Hatfield, PA, and Rebecca Fladie (Adam), Huntsville, TN; siblings, Cheryl Blattner (Wayne), Royersford, PA, Gregg Minnick (Sandy), Stevens, PA; eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild, according to Minnick’s obituary.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to: Colmar Volunteer Fire Company, 2770 W. Walnut St., Colmar, PA 18915.
See also:
Governor Orders State Flags To Half-Staff To Honor Fallen Colmar Firefighter
Colmar Fire Company Announces Death Of Firefighter Edward ‘Gary’ Minnick
‘He Never Said No,’ Tullytown Mayor Says Of Firefighter Who Died From COVID-19
Colmar Fire Company Launches New Animated Recruitment Videos
Flags Lowered To Half-Staff As Fairmount Fire Company Mourns Loss Of Two Longtime Members
