To the Editor:

The little town of Fullerton laid one of its finest volunteers to rest last week. My dad, Thomas G. Piskula, was born and raised next to the big stone church on Grape Street.

His love for the village grew even deeper. Dad established his young growing family on American Street. I am proud to say my dad was the oldest living resident on the block, so you know daddy planted those roots deep.

Dad never had any formal education. He left his heart lead the way. He was responsible for starting the first ambulance corps in Fullerton. When dad knew the operation was fine tuned, up and running, he climbed the volunteer ladder once again and became a firefighter.

We were proud to go with dad on his Monday off to spend time polishing those trucks. When the whistle blew, we knew our place at the end of the bar with a glass of coke and a box of candy. The bartender looked after us until dad’s safe return to the firehouse.

As the years passed, my dad began to feel his age. He took his final volunteer position with Whitehall Township Fire Police. He still continued with his “Community Tom” status.

He was always offering his words of advice on how to make American Street a better place to live. He spent years molding the fire police organization, sharing his thoughts on what would best serve the community.

My dad’s “Community Tom” advice has already left a void in my heart. It took me 45 years to convince my dad I was traveling in his volunteer foot prints. It is a much different style.

I have no one to raise my kids, put meals on the table and do the housekeeping chores while I am out blazing new trails for pet therapy. Yes dad, you left some mighty big footprint to follow. But Apollo and I will try our best to continue your legacy.

Charlene M. Piskula

Coplay