HARRISBURG – Two New Tripoli firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty in December 2022 are one step closer to having a portion of state Route 143 in Lynn Township named in their honor, after the state Senate today approved a measure proposed by Sen. Jarrett Coleman (R-16).
“I want the people who drive on this road to remember these two local firefighters and the sacrifice they made while serving our community,” Coleman said.
Coleman’s measure 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 also was 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.
“Zachary Paris and Marvin Gruber were true public servants who sacrificed their lives while working to protect their neighbors,” Coleman said. “I want people to think about Zachary Paris, Marvin Gruber and their families, and remember the sacrifice they made for our community.”
Senate Bill 621 previously was approved by the state House and now heads to the governor to be signed into law.
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