By Gretchen M. Wintermantel
The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
SCRANTON, Pa. — Known for his interest in firefighting, photography and local history, Mark Boock died Saturday night doing what he loved.
Mr. Boock, 57, the Scranton Fire Department historian, was taking photographs at a fire at 432 Cherry St. when he suffered a heart attack. He was taken to Community Medical Center, where he died at 8:48 p.m., according to Deputy Coroner Joseph Swoboda.
Fire Chief Tom Davis, who had known Mr. Boock for more than 20 years, said the department was saddened by the loss.
“He was a great historian. He knew the entire history of the Scranton Fire Department,” Chief Davis said. “We loved him. Everybody respected him.”
The department had even made Mr. Boock an honorary firefighter.
His son Bill has been a Scranton firefighter since 2002.
A carpenter, Mr. Boock dedicated his entire basement to firefighter history, the chief said. He even published two books.
“When you walk into his cellar, it was like going back in time,” Chief Davis said.
Indeed, he had several spare rooms in his house in which he displayed an extensive collection of photographs, print materials, gear and helmets, said Capt. Dave Schreiber.
“He will be missed,” Capt. Schreiber said. “He was just a really, really nice and outgoing guy.”
Copyright 2009, The Times-Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania)