Camden People - 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 Towship, 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.

	Camden Courier-Post December 27, 1952 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 rescue four of the children before firemen arrived.

	Jose Castiano - Luis Colon - Henry Rodriguez Concha Garcia - Rev. Hipolito Garcia Church of the Living God Mrs. Yolanda Castiano Huberto Casiano - Margie Casiano Jesu Casiano - Yolanda Casianio Mrs. Margaret Young Washington Street - North 22nd Street Philip Rossi - Michael Cimini Charles Cooke Engine Company 1 Winfield Leviseur

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	Camden Courier-Post January 12, 1953 Winfield Leviseur William Van Pfefferle Thomas Winstanley Eugene Alston Frank Deal Charles Davis Howard Lewis Michael Cimini North 22nd Street South 5th Street

Engine Company 11 on a drill with the 2nd Platoon - 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
Click on Image to Enlarge
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.

Philadelphia Inquirer - January 15, 1964

Fire Captain Dies, 2 Men Hurt Battling 2-Alarmer in Camden
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 second and third floors at 1107 and 1107 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.

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.

Camden Courier-Post
November 29, 1966

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. Jianetto has been a fireman 19 years, Deal 14 years.

Mid-1960s

From Left: Deputy Chief Frank Deal - Chief of Department Edward V. Michalak
Fire Department Photgrapher Bob Bartosz - Public Safety Director Keith Kauffmann

1966

From Left: Public Safety Director Keith Kauffmann - Chief of Department Edward V. Michalak,
Deputy Chief Frank Deal
photo by Bob Bartosz

Camden Fire Department - Newly Appointed Firefighters - November 10, 1967

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 - Paul Delfing.

*Camden Courier-Post October 14, 1969**

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Harold Melleby - John H. Kolessar - Frank Deal - Peter Carbone - Edward V. Michalak John Giuliano - Robert Briggs - Alfred R. Pierce - Engine Company 9

1970 Retirement Dinner

Standing Frank Deal, Clair "Red" Graham, Arthur Batten, Warren Carter.
Seated: Joshua Robinson

Palm Beach Post from 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. To express condolences, please visit www.northwoodfh.com