By ANNA GILGOFF

Special to The Press

The names of fallen New Tripoli firefighters Marvin Gruber and Zachary Paris will forever be remembered by everyone driving into New Tripoli.

Route 143 in Lynn Township, from the intersection of Route 309 to Berks County, has been renamed Heroes Highway in their memory.

Gruber and Paris died in the line of duty Dec. 7, 2022, when they became trapped while fighting a house fire in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County.

“I don’t think there is a more fitting name,” said Nicholas Gruber, son of Marvin Gruber.

“[They] were hardworking family men with full time jobs, and with the little bit of spare time at the end of the day, they honorably served their community without even thinking twice.”

Gerald Paris could not agree more.

Wearing a T-shirt honoring his son, he recalled Zach once asked,

“Can one person make a difference?”

The answer was self-explanatory as he praised volunteers, and urged everyone in the gathering to show up at firefighter events.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-16th, ushered the legislation through the General Assembly to rename this part of Route 143.

“We’re here to always remember them,” he said.

Gary W. Day, director of Policy and District Operations, Pa. Senate, invited speakers to the lectern positioned in front of a New Tripoli fire truck that served as a backdrop.

“This is a community we’re all a part of,” Day said. “State and local officials join together for this dedication.”

In his remarks, state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-187th, praised Paris and Gruber, citing “their incredible heroic act when they unfortunately gave their lives.

“We dedicate a portion of this highway in their honor in remembrance of their legacy, a legacy that carries on into the future.”

This conviction spurred Mackenzie to sponsor the Keystone First Responder Award in May 2022.

“It carries on into the future and has a three-year look back,” he explained.

The award honors public servants, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and first responders, who lost their lives or sustained career ending injuries in the line of duty.

As evening fell on July 18, the Northwestern Medical Center parking lot along Route 143 was transformed into a staging ground where community members gathered to participate in the dedication ceremony that closed the road to traffic.

The New Tripoli Fire Company was joined by members of the Weisenberg, Germansville and Lynnport fire companies.

The brotherhood of firefighters was acknowledged by members of the Germansville Fire Company.

“In ’04, the firefighters trained together, on fire and medical calls,” Rick Young said, “We worked together as a team.”

“This is an extended family,” agreed William Shellhammer. “When New Tripoli suffered the loss of two firefighters in the line of duty, the loss was felt by all of us.”

“It’s a brotherhood, the fire service,” said Jay Scheffler, Germansville’s fire chief. “This is a celebration of life and a show of support for the neighboring department.”

New Tripoli Fire Chief Gary Kuntz addressed those gathered at the ceremony.

“Two men answered the call for help,” Kuntz said. “None of us knew the outcome of that day would be tragic.

“This is a sacred heroes highway, where we will always think about the impact they had on our community.”

The bittersweet weight of the evening was not lost on family members.

“I want to thank everyone here,” said Karen Gruber, who lost her husband. “The community has been really wonderful and supportive, and I want to thank everyone for everything they continue to do.”

“We’re so grateful to have this highway, on this road both of them traveled home every day.”

With her daughter by her side, she described her husband.

“He was a family man, first and foremost, and he loved the fire hall and the church,” she said. “He was so happy to contribute to the community.

“He was good, fun and hard working. He had a great sense of humor.

“I miss that.”