Chief George Rupena fought Willowick fires for 34 years.
Rupena died Jan. 31 at University Hospitals at age 85.
He was born in Cleveland and survived bombings in the Aleutians with the Navy during World War II. He moved to Willowick later and became a fireman there in 1953. He helped to fight big blazes at Shoregate School, the Knights of Columbus and elsewhere.
Rupena became chief in 1980 and led the development of emergency medical services. He retired in 1987.
Survivors include his wife, Winifred (Babe); three children and four grandchildren. His son Joe is Willowick's assistant chief. Monreal Funeral Home handled his arrangements.
RIP Grandpa I love you .
Building my wealth one pull tab at a time Tank69 ™
Thank you every one for your thoughts . I hated posting this but felt I needed to share this .This is the man that kept me going when I was a Forest Fire Fighter an times got tough , My Uncle (his youngest son ) is now Chief at my grandfathers old house .The Rupena name is deep in Ohio Police an Fire Depts , My Grand fathers brother was Police Chief in the neighboring town for years he is now retired , an my Uncle is Now Chief an wrote allot of the training manuals for the EMT's an Firefighters for fighting fires in the nuclear facilities ....I will miss him dearly .
Thank you my TNET family for your thoughts .Tank
Building my wealth one pull tab at a time Tank69 ™
Our deepest condolences Tank. Hang in there........
"Agitate! Agitate! Ought to be the motto of every reformer. Agitation is the opposite of stagnation...... one is life, the other death."
-Ernestine L. Rose-
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Building my wealth one pull tab at a time Tank69 ™ 
Reply With Quote
