Jeffrey Andrew Tomczak

United States Air Force Master Sergeant and Allentown Fire Department Fire Marshall Jeffrey Andrew Tomczak passed away on July 26, 2024 as a result of service-related cancer.

Tomczak was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania to his loving parents and raised in Lansdale, Pennsylvania alongside his two older sisters. From a young age, Tomczak expressed interest in becoming a firefighter. He was passionate about helping others and as soon as he was old enough, he joined the Upper Gwynedd Township Fire Company as a junior firefighter in 1996. Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1997 where he served as a mechanic. Feeling as though he belonged elsewhere, Tomczak transferred to the Army Reserves in 2000 and attended the Department of Defense Fire Academy in Texas, eventually joining the United States Air Force in 2004. His unit was one of the first military firefighting units to support operations in Iraq, deploying to Baghdad in 2003. He became a career firefighter with the Department of Defense in 2005. In 2010, he was hired by the Allentown Fire Department. He was the city’s Fire Marshall and a member of its Technical Rescue and HAZMAT teams. He served his country on three overseas tours as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Tomczak earned the title of Master Sergeant with the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard, where he served as Assistant Fire Chief.

Tomczak began his career with the desire to help others, and he enjoyed the excitement and adrenaline of firefighting. As he progressed in his career, he committed himself to becoming the best he could possibly be, spending the majority of his time training, taking classes, and reading articles to better himself. He enjoyed being a mentor and advocate to those he worked alongside in his military and first responder careers, encouraging others to better themselves as well. Tomczak was rewarded prior to his passing with a Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor of New Jersey, which was presented to his wife and sons, recognizing his accomplishments as Fire Protection Assistant Chief of Operations during his three tours overseas, for being a spokesperson for the Department of Defense Firefighters diagnosed with cancer, and for making a presentation to all Air National Guard Fire Chiefs about occupational cancer during their 2023 Senior Fire Officer Summit.

In April 2023, Tomczak was diagnosed with cancer attributed to his service. He endured chemotherapy from May of 2023 until about a month before his passing, and chose to receive hospice care at home so he could be near his family. Tomczak passed away on July 26, 2024 in his home with his wife and sons.

Currently, his wife, Brittany, lives in Pennsylvania with their sons, spending much of her time taking them to baseball practices, games, and social gatherings. They also enjoy camping in Wildwood, New Jersey with friends, a pastime that Tomczak loved. Brittany also volunteers at their local fire department and at her sons’ school. With the donation of a mortgage payoff from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Brittany and her sons will be able to remain in the home that she and Tomczak chose to raise their family. Brittany would like it to be known that her husband always wanted to be prepared, and wanted to make sure others were prepared as well. He spent the last months of his life preparing for his passing, ensuring that his family would be taken care of after he was gone. Tomczak always wanted to help the next person, and he did so by fighting to bring awareness to occupational cancer. He will be remembered for his compassion, selflessness, and lighthearted sense of humor.

United States Air Force Master Sergeant and Allentown Fire Department Fire Marshall Jeffrey Andrew Tomczak is survived by his wife, Brittany, and their sons, Matthew and Connor.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Tomczak family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.