By Eric Scicchitano
The News-Item
ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. — A 2-year-old boy given a grand tour of Northumberland County’s firehouses earlier this year died Oct. 19, succumbing to a rare disease he’s had since birth.
Bryce A. Bigler, of Elizabethtown, was named honorary fire chief of departments including Atlas, Elysburg and Kulpmont. Joined by his mother, Cortney Showalter, and her boyfriend, Jonathon Stanford, they made an eight-hour tour in February.
The tour was organized by Kulpmont Fire Department firefighter Matt Siko. King Coal Tours chauffeured the guests to 13 different firehouses where Bryce, 17 months at the time, was treated to a hero’s welcome. In all, 20 departments participated, with some providing mementos.
Bryce was born with Niemann Pick Disease Type A. Just 1,500 cases have been reported worldwide. It affected his muscles, organs and mental development.
Siko attended Bryce’s memorial service Oct. 25. He said Bryce accomplished much in his short time on Earth, and that he helped remind some in the local firefighting community what brotherhood is all about.
“It feels good knowing that if having him see some local fire apparatus made his life a little better and made him smile, it was all worth it. It’s also good know that the fire service has another angel looking over us,” Siko said Friday.
Bryce is also survived by his father, Matthew Bigler.
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(c)2014 The News-Item (Shamokin, Pa.)
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