Former Perkiomen Township Deputy Fire Chief Dies At 73

PERKIOMEN TOWNSHIP, PA — A Montgomery County man who had served as deputy fire chief with the Perkiomen Township Fire Company has passed away at the age of 73, according to local fire officials and his obituary.

Joseph Barnshaw, who was born in Bridgeport, Pa. and who was the son of the late J. Wilson Barnshaw, a former fire marshal for the borough of Bridgeport, was a longtime member of the Perkiomen Township Fire Company who joined the organization back in 1980.

Prior to that, Barnshaw was a firefighter with the Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company, a position he began when he was only 16 years old and where he rose to the rank of assistant engineer prior to moving to Perkiomen Township, according to the Perkiomen Township Fire Company.

"Joe was truly a dedicated member to this station and to public service in general," the fire company wrote on Facebook. "We were lucky to have Joe as a mentor, friend and guide for many years and we are thankful that Joe passed his passion and commitment for the fire service to his son John who now serves as our chief. Please keep John and his family and your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

In addition to his volunteer duties, Barnshaw worked by day as a laborer for Perkiomen Township and also as a deputy sheriff of Montgomery County, according to his obituary.

Barnshaw has served as both past president and deputy chief of the Perkiomen Township Fire Company, and he was subsequently bestowed the honor of life member due to his years of dedication to the fire service.

No cause of death was given for Barnshaw.

Barnshaw is survived by his wife, Cathy Jo Barnshaw, as well as his son John, who is both chief of the Perkiomen Township Fire Company and a Collegeville police officer; and his four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by grandson Nicky and stepsister Janet Smith, as well as sisters Betty Saladino and Roseann Milewski.

A funeral has been scheduled for this Friday at 11 a.m. at the Holcombe Funeral Home at 21 Main Street in Trappe.

Additional details can be found in Barnshaw's obituary.