Highlands Emergency Services Alliance
Alfred F. Falise, 72, of Tarentum, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in Alle-Kiski Medical Center, Allegheny Valley Hospital, Harrison, following a lengthy illness. He was born Sept. 10, 1937, in Tarentum, son of the late Alfred J. Falise, who died in 1994, and Vincentia D. (Kristofik) Falise, who died in 1982. He lived his entire life in Tarentum. He was a sales representative at General Press Corp., Natrona Heights, for more than 40 years, and was a veteran of the Army. He graduated from Tarentum High School and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Brackenridge. He was a life member of Summit Hose Fire Company where he was past fire chief, member of Western PA Fireman's Association, County Fire and State Fireman's association, former Tarentum Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, Head Advisor Junior Fireman of Summit Hose, and was instrumental in starting HESA, Highlands Emergency Services Association, which was designed to interest Senior High students in becoming volunteer firefighters.

He was a photographer for Summit Hose Fire Company on the scene of fires. Besides his fire fighting, he was an avid golfer, and enjoyed his trips to Conneaut since 1971. He enjoyed history, especially Civil War. He was also witty and had a great sense of humor. Fred had an avid interest in helping youngsters to find interests that would help them survive in life. He was very involved with the Summit Hose street fair many years, and loved spending time with his dogs, especially Basset Hounds. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Marcella E. (Groszkiewicz) Falise, whom he married Dec. 27, 1958; son, Alfred M. (Leanne) Falise, of Natrona Heights; daughter, Danielle M. (Louis) Signorella, of Buffalo Township; granddaughter, Natalie M. Falise and fiance, Tarek Masaoud, of Natrona Heights; two stepgrandchildren, Joseph (Brandy) Heuser and Danielle (Stephen) Kowalski; sister, Pamela Ann (Ronald) Stewart, of Elmyra, N.Y.; nephew, Doug (Angela) Stewart, of Astonia, N.Y.; and niece, Lauren Stewart, of Annapolis, Md. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Alice Marie Collingwood; and an infant son, Vincent Joseph Falise. Relatives and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the DUSTER FUNERAL HOME INC., Tenth Avenue at Corbet Street, Tarentum, 724-224-1526. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home by the Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn, his pastor. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell. Summit Hose Fire Company will hold services at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Family suggests contributions to Summit Hose Fire Company, 321 West 7th Ave., Tarentum, PA 15084. Visit dusterfuneralhomeinc.com.

Picture and obituary information courtesy of Summit Hose Company.

St. Florian Prayer
St. Florian, Heaven’s patron of firefighters,
who once was dedicated to the services
of your fellowmen as an official in the
Army of Rome, look with kindly and
professional eye upon your earthly force,
desirous of the preserving of our fellowmen
from the dangers to life and property.
Give us cool heads, stout hearts, strong muscles
an instinct for prudent investigation and
wise judgment.
Make us the terror of arsonists, the friends of
law-abiding citizens, kind to the frightened,
polite to the bores, strict with lawbreakers,
and obstinate to temptations.
In troubles give us strength to be efficient,
in times of great danger, give us the ability
to be calm and enable us to impart assurance
to those who verge on panic.
You know, beloved St. Florian, from the
sacrifice of your own life for the sake of
your faith, that the fireman’s lot on earth
is not always a pleasant one, but your
sense of duty that so pleased God, your
courageous strength that so over-whelmed
the devil and your saintly self-control,
give us inspiration.
Make us as fearless in practicing the laws
of God as we are brave in protecting the
lives and property of our fellowmen, and
when we answer our final alarm, enroll
us in your Heavenly force, where we will be
as proud to protect the throne of God as
we have been to protect the city.
Amen
Fireman's Prayer
When I am called to duty, God
whenever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.
Help me to embrace a little child
Before it’s too late,
Or some older person
from the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
and give the best in me,
To guard my neighbor
And protect his property.
And if according to Your will
I have to lose my life,
Please bless with Your protecting hand
My children and my wife