HARRISBURG – The state Senate today approved legislation introduced by Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16) that would rename a portion of state Route 143 in Lynn Township in honor of two local firefighters who lost their lives in December 2022.
“I want this road to serve as a reminder about these brave firefighters and the sacrifice they made to serve our community,” Coleman said. “I am committed to keeping their memory alive.”
Coleman’s Senate Bill 770 would rename part of state Route 143 in Lynn Township from the intersection of state route 309 to the Berks County border in honor of deceased New Tripoli firefighters Zachary Paris and Marvin Gruber.
Paris and Gruber died in the line of duty Dec. 7, 2022, when they became trapped while fighting a house fire in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County.
Paris was 36 years old and served as the assistant fire chief with the New Tripoli Fire Department, located in Lehigh County. He previously volunteered as a junior firefighter for the Blandon Fire Company. He also worked for the Green Valley Fire Station in Maryland.
He was the husband of Elizabeth for 12 years and was the father of two daughters, Lila and Amelia.
Gruber was 59 years old and served as a volunteer firefighter with the New Tripoli Fire Department. He volunteered with the fire service since the late 1980s and served the New Tripoli Fire Department since 2020. In addition to his service with the fire company, he was also the assistant director of public safety for the Northampton Community College in Bethlehem for the last 22 years.
He was the husband of Karen for 35 years, the father to Nicholas Gruber and Jordan Lybarger, and the grandfather to Cole, Lucas and McKenzie Gruber.
“Our community is indebted to Zachary Paris and Marvin Gruber for their service and ultimate sacrifice to protect their neighbors,” Coleman said. “When people travel along this road, I want them to think about Zachary Paris, Marvin Gruber and their families. It is important for their sacrifices to be remembered.”
Coleman’s bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Residents who want to learn more about Coleman can visit his website at www.SenatorColeman.com, follow him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SenatorJarrettColeman and sign up for email newsletters at www.SenatorColeman.com/eNewsletters.
CONTACT: Leo Knepper