Greensburg, area firefighters bid final farewell to one of their own, Richard A. Fry

In the sweltering summer sun, the firehouse bell rang out 21 times Wednesday as firefighters from across the greater Greensburg and Pittsburgh areas lined the driveways outside their departments to honor the death of one of their own.

Richard A. Fry was a member of Greensburg Hose Company No. 7 for 49 years, having joined the department in 1972. He died last week at 77.

Greensburg firefighter Colten Houser said he was shocked by Fry’s death. After eight years of friendship, he said he is deeply saddened by the loss.

“It hits hard,” Houser said.

He and more than a dozen other firefighters lined the driveway outside Greensburg Hose Company No. 7 station to salute as the funeral procession slowly crawled down East Pittsburgh Street.

“Rich was the kind of guy who would do anything for the department,” Houser said.

Fry was found unresponsive in his vehicle June 24 after participating in the Mt. Pleasant Firemen’s Parade. Gov. Tom Wolf this week ordered all state flags in the county to fly at half-staff in his honor.

A funeral Mass was held Wednesday at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Hempfield. A procession of fire and emergency vehicles from area departments joined others who attended the funeral in driving through Greensburg, passing Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 33, where Fry was a past commander, and his former department on the way to Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.

Also at the station was Fred Silvis, a longtime friend and coworker. Silvis said he worked with Fry for decades, frequently seeing him go above and beyond to help his neighbors.

According to Silvis, Fry frequently cut grass and bushes for community members who were unable to do it themselves. Silvis described Fry as a family man who had a deep devotion to serving his community.

“Family came first,” Silvis said.

Silvis said this “family first” motto extended to the fire department.

“It hits you pretty bad,” Silvis said. “Because he was a real stand-up guy … trustworthy.”