Area fire and medical first responders grieved the loss last week of one of their own, as MedEvac flight paramedic Donald Shambo, died at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Salisbury Township, Dec. 7.

Shambo, 63, who lived in Northampton, was legendary among area medical responders. He was a veteran flight paramedic, including 30 years with MedEvac, where colleagues say he helped save countless lives.

Shambo had retired last month to wage a battle with cancer, a disease he was determined to beat. He spent several weeks in intensive care in his cancer fight. Social media posts and a colleague at the hospital procession the afternoon of Dec. 7 said complications from COVID-19 contributed to Shambo’s death.

Shambo was determined to be part of medical first response activities from the time he was a teenager, joining the Whitehall Fire Department ambulance company as a junior member 45 years ago, then becoming an EMT at the Whitehall Emergency Squad.

Shambo became a paramedic in 1980 and actively served many communities across the Lehigh Valley.

Reflecting his service as president of the Lehigh County Ambulance Association, some 20 ambulance crews from across the region joined a cortège led by MedEvac ambulance crews as Shambo’s body was transported from the hospital to an area funeral home.

Ambulance crews drove with flashing emergency lights in silent tribute to Shambo’s long years of service with emergency responders across the region.

Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company and Lower Macungie Fire Department aerial ladder trucks formed an arch from which a large American flag fluttered as Shambo’s body left the hospital. Firefighters and emergency medical personnel stood and saluted as the vehicle bearing Shambo passed. Such tributes are common as comrades honor fallen first responders.

Salisbury police provided an escort for the procession.