Jeff Tomczak.
Upper Gwynedd Township Fireman and township Deputy Fire Marshal Jeff Tomczak was more than a man who loved the beach, sport shooting, scuba diving and the Phillies – he was a mentor, a friend, a beloved and highly-respected firefighter across many states and regions, and a stalwart member of the community.
Tomczak, 44, passed away Thursday from occupational cancer, which he battled since April 2023.
He married his bride, Brittany Cusumano, on March 29, 2008, and they had two sons, Matthew, 14, and Connor, 10.
Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Department “Fairmount Fire Company is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Jeff Tomczak with the Upper Gwynedd Fire Department. He was an incredible man and loved by so many people,” said Fairmount Fire Co. Chief Gavin Butler. “Jeff was always fun to be around, quick with a witty joke, and an all-around good person to be in company with. Our hearts go out to the Tomczak family, including his/our brothers and sisters at the Upper Gwynedd Fire Department. He will be missed dearly.”
“It is with immeasurable sadness that the Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Department announces the Line of Duty passing of Chief Jeffrey A. Tomczak,” wrote the department on its Facebook. “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 department said Tomczak was a career firefighter with Allentown Fire Department and an active 25-plus year member of the military.
“We ask that you keep Jeff’s immediate family, our department, and the Allentown Fire Department in your thoughts as we mourn this great loss,” wrote the department.
Allentown Fire Department Upper Gwynedd’s Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Office wrote via Facebook that Tomczak as the definition of a public servant who dedicated his life to helping others.
“In addition to his duties as our Deputy Fire Marshal, Jeff was a Fire Marshal for the Allentown Fire Department, served as an Assistant Chief in the 177th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard with multiple overseas deployments, was a charter member of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township’s IAFF Chapter, a Telecommunicator for Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, and a life member of the Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Department where he obtained every rank in the department including Chief,” wrote the department. “We extend our heartfelt sorrow to his wife Brittany and his sons, Matthew and Connor.”
Tomczak was an Upper Gwynedd native and he had a strong passion to help others. Public service called him at the age of 16, when he joined Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Company as a junior firefighter in 1996.
Before he knew it, he was 10 years in as an officer, becoming deputy chief. Tomczak gave 23 years of active duty to the fire department in Upper Gwynedd.
Tomczak is also a military veteran, entering the Armed Forces upon high school graduation, and then going on to graduate from the Department of Defense Fire Academy in Texas.
He served his country bravely through three tours of duty overseas in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
As of recent, Tomczak was a Master Sergeant of the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard, according to the township, and served as an assistant fire chief. He became a career firefighter with the DoD in 2005.
He was hired in 2010 by the City of Allentown, where he served as its fire marshal and as a member of its Technical Rescue Team and HAZMAT in Allentown. Tomczak was a PEMA-certified emergency manager and certified as a Fire & Explosion Investigator.
Friends, family and colleagues left condolences to the Tomczak family and shared their memories of him on Facebook.
Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Department “Two weeks ago, this legend … said these exact words to me on the phone at 11 p.m.: ‘Yeah, ya know man, I’m just going to keep living until I can’t no more. What else am I going to do? Why stress it, I’m going to just enjoy it.’ The only thing I’ve ever seen him excited about is ice cream. I’ve learned a lot from him, and I miss him around the table already,” wrote Robert Ford, of Allentown.
Allentown Fire Honor Guard wrote that Tomczak courageously fought cancer and extended thoughts and prayers to his family and his fire/military family.
“Jeff joined the Allentown Fire Department on February 22, 2010, and was currently Fire Marshal on the 3rd platoon. Rest in peace brother. We love you,” it wrote.
Local 302 Allentown International Association of Firefighters wrote on social media that Tomczak was valiant in his 16-month battle with cancer.
“He was dedicated to the citizens of Allentown and his brothers of Local 302. RIP brother we will see you on the other side,” wrote the union.
Tomczak is survived by siblings Christine J. Donovan (William) of Eagleville, and Stacy A. McCann (William) of Collegeville, Pennsylvania. He was Uncle Jeff to Liam (William) and Erin Donovan, and Lindsay and Jessica McCann.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Gene S. And Joyce R Tomczak (Riegel).
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jeff may be made to the following organizations:
Montgomery County Hero Fund, PO Box 231, Eagleville, PA 19408, and Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Department, PO Box 340, West Point, PA 19486.
Steven Costa wrote that he and Tomczak were like-minded and they would grow to be very close friends.
“Jeff has left such an incredible impact on myself and so many others. Working Truck 2 going to fires together, dive team, my wedding and bachelor party, Eagles and Phillies games, the list goes on, but Jeff’s attitude was always bright and positive and I will always cherish those memories,” wrote Costa. “His selfless character and positive outlook on life is so inspiring, it’s hard to put words to.”
Jared Stevenson, Tomczak’s cousin, wrote on Facebook that he was still in disbelief.
“You were the one that brought the party to the party. You will be greatly missed. Another brother gone way too soon. Until we meet again,” Stevenson wrote.
Brandon Lipoff wrote that Tomczak was one of the greatest mentors he ever had in the fire service.
“You were a constant staple in the firehouse always helping anybody out whenever they needed it. Even helping me move into my first apartment. Your high energy and humor was second to none. Rest easy brother,” wrote Lipoff.
Brian Huff first met Tomczak in 6th grade, when Huff first started coming around the Upper Gwynedd firehouse.
“Back then,” Huff, the brother of the late Matthew Huff, wrote on Facebook, “you were like a second big brother to me, and were always there through all of the years. I know that you and Matthew C. Huff are up there sitting around a picnic table, drinking iced tea. Rest easy brother.”
Cumberland County Company 37 wrote about the passing of Tomczak, its NSA Mech former firefighter.
“Jeff was at Mechanicsburg from 2005 to 2010, before moving on to Allentown. Rest in peace brother,” wrote the company.
Atlantic City International Airport Fire Department 24-1 IAFF Local S-18 wrote on its Facebook that Tomczak and retired Assistant Chief Henry Burger both passed away.
“Words cannot express how much these two men will be missed,” the department wrote.
Former North Penn Vol. Fire Co. Chief Chris Park wrote how much of an honor it was to work beside Tomczak.
“Rest easy. Thoughts and prayers to your family, both at home and the fire departments,” wrote Park.
Wanda Costello remembered teaching Tomczak as a student at St. Stanislaus in Lansdale.
“He made a little man from wire that he told me was a fireman I still have in in a box of souvenirs from my students. I remember him very fondly,” Costello wrote.
Melissa Gorcey reached out to Brittany during the tragic time.
“Brittany, sending you & the boys so many healing hugs & prayers. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss & wish you comfort, support & love as you navigate life without Jeff,” Gorcey wrote.
Ken Hellendall wrote the loss of Tomczak is a huge one for the community.
“Jeff was a great person, good leader, and was always willing to help others. He will be missed,” he wrote.
Other condolences were given by Norristown Fire Department and Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Police Association.
According to the World Health Organization, occupational cancers are those that occur due to exposure to carcinogenic (cancer-causing) agents in the workplace, such as different industrial chemicals, dusts, metals and combustion products, and radiation.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer said occupational exposure as a firefighter is carcinogenic to humans and is complex and includes a variety of hazards resulting from fires and non-fire events.
Firefighters may be exposed to combustion products from fires (e.g. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, particulate matter), building materials (e.g. asbestos), chemicals in firefighting foams (e.g. per- and polyfluorinated substances), flame retardants, diesel exhaust, as well as other hazards (e.g. night shift work and ultraviolet or other radiation), per the WHO.
