Deputy Chief Joseph Edward VonHandorf, 52, of the Chelsea Fire Department, died at home Tuesday, January 11 at 4:30 p.m. after suffering a massive heart attack. VonHandorf's death is being ruled as in the line of duty under Massachusett's presumptive Heart and Lung Law, according to Bob Zalewski, acting Deputy Chief of Chelsea Fire Department.
His body was discovered in his home by members of his family who immediately called 911. He was transported to Melrose Wakefield Hospital where further attempts to resuscitate him failed, according to Zalewski.
VonHandorf was a 31-year veteran having joined the department July 8, 1974. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1977, to Captain in 1982 and to Deputy Chief in 1986.
"Our last shift together was on the seventh [of January] and if his heart attack had come 24 hours later then he would have been in the firehouse at the time. We were due to go back on duty Wednesday night," Zalewski said.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS: Arrangements are being handled by the Smith Funeral Home of Chelsea.According to the funeral home's obituary, "Deputy VonHandorf passed away at the age of 52 in the emergency room of the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital late Tuesday afternoon after extraordinary efforts made by the Saugus Fire Department, Cataldo Ambulance Service and the doctors, nurses and staff of the Melrose Wakefield Hospital."
The obituary says VonHandorf was a United States Marine Corp. veteran, an instructor of fire science at Bunker Hill Community College, the Pension and Welfare Officer for Firefighters Local 937 and a former member of the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy
