By Martin Rozenman
The Columbus Dispatch
LANCASTER, Ohio — A Lancaster Fire Department lieutenant has died after suffering a stroke while fighting a fire this month.
Joseph McCafferty, 59, died Saturday in the Ohio State University Medical Center.
He was the commander at a residential fire Jan. 2 when he collapsed, Firefighter Dana Hiles said.
“Joe was an excellent firefighter, but he was a better person,” said Hiles, who had worked with McCafferty for 25 years. “I know people say that, but he truly was a good person. If anyone said he didn’t like Joe or had a problem with him, they were the problem.
“He was an excellent firefighter and a pleasure to work with. He really was good about looking after the young guys.”
McCafferty was a 37-year veteran of the department, said Lowell Trimmer of Halteman-Fett & Dyer Funeral Home in Lancaster.
A funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Faith Memorial Church, 2610 W. Fair Ave. in Lancaster, with burial at Forest Rose Cemetery. Calling hours at the church are 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
McCafferty is survived by his wife, Vicki; daughters Amy Burwell and Farah May; and son Aaron McCafferty.
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