Beattie

CRANBERRY TWP — One of the longest serving members of Cranberry Township’s Volunteer Fire Company, Charles “Chuck” Beattie Jr. died Tuesday following a brief illness.

Beattie, 88, had been an active member of the fire company since April 1960, and was chief in 1972. He was one of the founding members of both the fire company and the Cranberry Ambulance Corps, the forerunner of the Cranberry EMS.

“He was active in the department all the way up until three weeks ago,” said fire company President Bruce Hezlep. “He was always up there (at the fire station). He personified dedication to the community. I’m going to miss him terribly.

“He truly was a nice guy,” said Hezlep, who explained Beattie attended all of the company board meetings, picnics and other functions because he loved the fire company.

“I don’t know if we’ll ever get another person that serves us for 53 years,” Hezlep said.

Beattie was a highly decorated member of the department including earning the Brigade Member of the Year, the Chief’s Award and the President’s Award, and he was one of only four members in the company’s history to be recognized with the Merit Award.

Wayne Kovac, a fire company member who was a chief, said he had the pleasure of working with Beattie in his 28 years with the department.

“I am sitting in my office thinking about him passing, and I feel like a piece of my and our department’s heart has been taken away leaving a hole that will never be filled,” he said.

Thr-oughout the growth of the department, Beattie was always there for the organization, the members and the community, Kovac said.

“He (Beattie) never sought the limelight. He chose rather to do his work quietly and without prejudice in the background,” he said. “He was a humble, quiet man. He had been president, board of director, history chairman, bingo chairman and held line officer positions.”

Kovac added it was Beattie that took on the task of keeping track of the company’s history.

“He wanted to be sure we could look back so we could see how far we have come,” he said.

“I remember being the chairman of the ways and means committee and in charge of our carnival. Chuck and his lovely wife would work the entire week of our carnival and miss celebrating their anniversary, which happened during that week. Always with a smile,” said Kovac.

Township manager Jerry Andree said Beattie was a steadfast supporter of Cranberry and was engaged in aspects of the community.

“Recently, you would have seen Chuck riding his bicycle on our bike trails and in Graham Park, or walking on the paths. He was always observant of what was happening in his community and someone I respected for his ideas and suggestions, always offered with a sense of pride in his community,” said Andree.

Funeral services for Beattie were at noon Friday at the Dutilh United Methodist Church. Interment followed at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.