Former Fire Chief Remembered Fondly
Harold “Junior” Bowser dedicated his life to service within the East Franklin Township fire department. (submitted photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
A former East Franklin Township fire chief and lifetime volunteer will be laid to rest today in Worthington.
Harold “Junior” Bowser - who died surrounded by family on Friday hours before his 70th birthday - held about every office within the East Franklin Township fire department during his lifetime of service - from trustee to president to fire chief.
Current Fire Chief Mark Feeney knew Bowser since he joined the fire department and was one of Bowser’s fire captains 15 years ago.
“He was one of the guys that stuck with the fire department the whole way through his life,” Chief Feeney said. “He taught us how to do things right.”
Chief Feeney recalled how dedicated Bowser was to hauling city water to local residents in the 1980’s, and said Bowser saved countless lives.
“He made the department what it is today,” Chief Feeney said. “Even if he wasn’t chief, for the last 20 years, (Bowser) was at every call. His service to the township and the people was unbelievable.”
Bowser was also the township Forest Fire Warden for the last 22 years and complimented local firefighters recognized for a job well done.
Deceased wife, Margaret, was also a fire department auxiliary member.
About 30 local volunteer firefighters held a special funeral service at 7PM last night at Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home in Kittanning. Weather conditions prevented fire crews from parking their apparatus outside the funeral home as tribute and will prevent any apparatus tribute during today’s funeral.
Bowser was a 1963 graduate of Kittanning High School, and a 1966 graduate of Penn State where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering.
Junior worked as an inspector at Senate Engineering of Pittsburgh.
There will be a “final call” dispatch across Armstrong County 9-1-1 airwaves as Bowser is transported to his final resting place.
Funeral services will precede the burial at 11AM at the funeral home, with the Reverend Edward Walters officiating.
Local News | jweaver January 19, 2016
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