By Stacia Glenn
San Bernardino County Sun (California)

Photo San Bernardino County Fire Department Captain Vance Thomaselli.

ANGELUS OAKS, Calif. — San Bernardino County Fire Capt. Vance Tomaselli, who suffered a stroke last week while responding to a structure fire in this small mountain town, died late Thursday.

Friends and co-workers lovingly remembered Tomaselli, 66, as the unofficial mayor of the small mountain town because of his dedication and willingness to help.

"If something had to be done in this tiny community, all you had to do was ask Vance," said Lenore Will, a U.S. Forest Service fire prevention officer who worked three doors down from Tomaselli. "He was the catalyst that kept it going, that kept us together."

Tomaselli spent most of his 27-year fire service career at Station 15 in Angelus Oaks, where he lived and worked as a paid call captain, which means he was paid each time the department called for his services. He also worked for a glass installation company.

On Feb. 16, he was driving a fire engine down Jenks Lake Road to a caretaker's cabin on fire at Camp Edwards when he suffered a stroke.

Tomaselli sideswiped several trees but was able to keep control of the engine until he reached a clearing. He was quickly airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Fire officials were unaware of any medical problems Tomaselli may have had, said county fire spokeswoman Tracey Martinez.

"Vance has always been dedicated to serving his community and the travelers who encountered him on their way through the mountain communities," said county Fire Chief Pat Dennen. "He will be sorely missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him."

County Fire Division Chief George Corley, who oversees the mountain communities, called Tomaselli his "anchor" because he was personable and always coming up with ideas on how to improve the Fire Department.

"He was very dedicated, a very nice man and a real community leader," Corley said.

News of Tomaselli's death spread quickly through Angelus Oaks on Friday. Many remembered the captain refusing to leave major fires or missing person searches, organizing pancake breakfasts and driving around in his car with vanity plate "Capt15."

Flags at county buildings will be flown at half-staff until Tomaselli's funeral, which is expected to take place next week.

He is survived by a daughter, Karen Todd, and a son, Jim Tomaselli, superintendent of the Forest Service's Del Rosa Hot Shots.

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