01/06/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
STEELTON, PENNSYLVANIA – Funeral Services and Obituary for Fire Chief Eugene A. Vance, III have been released.
Steelton Fire Chief, Eugene A. Vance, III, 70, of Steelton, died Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Gene was a 1972 graduate of Steelton-Highspire High School and retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – Department of General Services with over 35 years of service. He was a member of the former Steelton Baldwin Hose Company #4 and continued his volunteer fire service career with the Steelton Fire Department serving as firefighter, Foreman, Captain, Battalion Chief and became Chief of the Steelton Fire Department in 1998. He was a member of several Dauphin County Volunteer Fire Companies. He was also a member of Dauphin County Volunteer Fireman’s Association Dauphin and County Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association and in 2020 he was the recipient of the Craig Webb Memorial Award for Excellence in Fire Service. Gene was also a member of the former St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Steelton and the Steelton Italian Club.
His career accomplishments include numerous AED life-saving responses. In 2012, seeming to need a short “breather”, Gene retired as Steelton’s Fire Chief, but continued to play a vital role. In that year, the Department recognized Gene as firefighter of the year and presented him with his bugle, which he affectionately displayed at home for his many years of dedication to the Steelton Fire Department and its residents as their Chief….only to return to the rank of Chief 50 again in 2016.
Chief, Gene, G-Man, Genie, Geno, Pappy, “Old Man”, “Profit”, as he was known to many, cherished his lifetime commitment to Volunteer Fire Service and serving the Steelton Community. He committed his entire life to fire service and serving Steelton’s residents.
Gene was the son of the late Eugene A. Vance, Jr. and Alice F. Anspach Vance and is survived by his son, Gregory Vance, his best friend Jan I. Bensch, husband Ray and their son Evan Bensch, and his sister Patricia Schneider & husband Denny, Quarryville, niece Amy Shehan, nephew Troy Schneider, great nieces Arabella and Amelia, and great nephew Luke as well as numerous cousins.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 11, 2023 – 11:00 am in Prince of Peace – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Steven J. Arena, Celebrant.
Burial at the conclusion of Mass will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Swatara Township with Full Fire Department Honors. Arrangements are being handled by Wiedeman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. Gene’s family will greet friends and family at the reception following Mass at Chambers Hill Fire Hall, 6400 Chambers Hill Road, Harrisburg, PA.
As Gene would say…If You Don’t Mind, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Steelton Fire Department, 185 N. Front Street, Steelton, PA 17113
Information for fire service personnel will be provided in the near future.
