Ogontz Fire Company mourns loss of longtime member John Washington, Jr.

Ogontz Fire Company of Cheltenham Township is mourning the loss of John Washington, Jr., a longtime member who passed away on Tuesday, December 5 after a short battle with multiple myeloma.

Washington served multiple roles with Ogontz during his 46 years with the company, including Secretary, President, and trustee, and served other community organizations as a county fire instructor, a bike patrol instructor, and a Red Cross CPR/First Aid instructor.

Washington, Jr. comes from a family of volunteer firefighters.

His father, Jack Washington, joined the company in 1959 and served as chief from 1969 until 1975. His brothers, Chief David Washington and Lt. Phillip Washington, grew up in the firehouse with John, each joining the company when they turned 16.

John Washington, Jr. was a Cheltenham High School graduate. He went on to receive a Public Safety Administration degree from St. Joseph’s University.

“We share in John’s loss with his family and friends, he will be missed. RIP John, we’ll take it from here”, Ogontz’s Facebook post said.

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Photo: Facebook