Fremont Firefighter's Memorial Service Set For Thursday

FREMONT, CA — A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday for Fremont Firefighter Anthony Ganzler, who died of a heart attack while off-duty on March 17 at his home in Elk Grove, near Sacramento.

The Memorial Service will start at 11 a.m. at District Church, 7000 Rossmore Lane, in El Dorado Hills.

Those unable to make it to the Sacramento area are encouraged to attend virtually. It will be livestreamed on the Fremont Fire Department YouTube page.

Family, friends, the Fremont Fire Department and Fremont Firefighters-International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1689 and their families, the El Dorado County Fire Protection District and El Dorado County Professional Firefighters Association-IAFF Local 3556 and their families, retired and active service members, countless law enforcement and public safety agency officials, invited guests, and community members are expected to pack the church.

"Anthony was a lion of a man, with a warm personality, a great sense of humor, a formidable stature, and an often outrageously large mustache. He was a loving husband to Erin, a devoted father to Savannah and Abigail, and a cherished member of our fire family," Fremont Firefighters Association President Kyle Sater shared in a statement on Monday.

Ganzler joined the Fremont Fire Department in 2019, after being a member of the El Dorado County Fire Department from 2015 to 2019. He also served in the US Army 173rd Airborne Division for more than eight years.

“Anthony’s warmth, resilient spirit and humor made him loved by everyone he came in contact with. His passing is a tremendous loss for our department and the community,” said Fire Chief Zoraida Diaz.

The Fremont Firefighters Association-IAFF Local 1689 has created a Go Fund Me account for the Ganzler family.

Donations may also be made by sending a check to the Fremont Firefighters Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 1134, Fremont, CA 94538. Please note "Ganzler Memorial" in the memo line of the check.