S. WHITEHALL TWP. – A retired Allentown firefighter known for his training expertise is teaching yet another class – in death.
Chris Kiskeravage, who died of cancer June 9 at age 56, donated his body to science “hoping to find ways to make the job safer for all who follow,” according to his obituary.
- Chris Kiskeravage served as a firefighter in Easton, Allentown and South Whitehall Township
- He died of cancer June 9 at age 56
- A fire training instructor, he donated his body to science in hopes of finding clues to the link between cancer and the firefighting service
Kiskeravage, who suffered from pancreatic cancer and had overcome testicular cancer about 10 years ago, believed his illnesses were job-related, friends and family said.
Several studies have shown cancer incidence among firefighters is significantly higher than the general population and other professions, according to the nonprofit Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
Kiskeravage wanted to know why.
Two years ago, after cancer was found in his pancreas, he set in motion a plan to gift his body to be studied upon his death, said his wife Andrea.
“He pre-planned it,” she said. “He liked the idea that they’re going to let students practice on him. He felt like if it meant that they find out what happened to him, or what’s going on, it could help other people. He was adamant about it.”
Kiskeravage had a passion for fire education and training, and for years led the Allentown Fire Training Academy.
'Typical of him'
He served with the Allentown Fire Department for 23 years, retiring as assistant chief for training in 2019. He worked as an Easton firefighter eight years before that.
Following his retirement from Allentown, he became South Whitehall Township’s first full-time fire commissioner.
His gesture in death came as no surprise to the legions of comrades he taught, trained, and served with.
“It’s typical of him. He was unselfish,” said Allentown Fire Capt. John Christopher. “He put other people first all the time. It’s the way he lived his life.”
A full-time professional firefighter for nearly 35 years, Kiskeravage was an advocate for the Firefighter Cancer Presumptive Act – a Pennsylvania law that stipulates firefighters diagnosed with cancer are presumed to have gotten the disease from work-related exposure to carcinogens.
“He wanted to make sure every firefighter was safe and had the tools to know how to take care of himself."Andrea Kiskeravage, Chris' wife
Abdominal pain in the spring of 2020 eventually led to Kiskeravage’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Andrea Kiskeravage said. In 2021, doctors removed two-thirds of his pancreas, his spleen and gall bladder.
For awhile, biopsies came back clear. But the cancer returned and Kiskeravage lost about 100 pounds in the past year, his wife said.
He fought his illness with the same passion and intensity he brought to his work, she said.
“He wanted to be in that 3 to 5 percent of survivors,” said Andrea, a nursing supervisor at Jefferson Abington Hospital in Montgomery County. “He was selfless. He was like, 'If I can help in any way so that this doesn’t happen to someone else, I will.'
“He wanted to make sure every firefighter was safe and had the tools to know how to take care of himself. Even in death he wanted to make sure that this disease process is understood, and absolutely part of the job.
“It’s sad that he suffered so much. But he loved to teach. He loved to share his love of firefighting the right way – the safe way.”
All in the family
He also was an instructor with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and the Bucks County Community College Department of Fire and Public Safety.
Public service was his life and the Kiskeravages — they were married 36 years — instilled that in their family. Their sons, Theodore and Alexander, are Allentown police officers. Their daughter Kathryn is a burn nurse.
Chris went on hospice two weeks before he died. That first week Andrea opened their South Whitehall home to friends and people who loved him.
“We had hundreds of people come,” she said. “One of the guys went out and got a book. We had everyone sign-in in the book. He would wake up in the morning and say ‘Who’s coming today? Everyone had an opportunity to express their grief and gratitude to him, which was incredible.
“They really showed him how much he meant to them, and I hope they know how much they meant to him.”
Capt. John Christopher, a close friend, worked with Kiskeravage for decades.
“I would go and tell him about work or what guys were doing, you know, the crazy things,” Christopher said. “He liked those stories. We live on those stories. Everyone was glad to have at least that little bit of time at the end.”
Salute to service
When he died, firefighters took Chris from the house draped in an American flag and escorted his remains down the turnpike. Fire stations along the route turned out to pay respects.
Because his body is being studied, funeral services won’t be held for a few weeks.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon Wednesday, July 12, at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, 1825 Turner St., Allentown. Calling hours are 10 a.m. to noon.
Andrea Kiskeravage said the past year has been difficult, but an outpouring of support this week has lifted the family.
“People know about Chris,” she said. “They know that he was kind and loving in everything he did. He always had a smile. He’d always brighten your day.
“He loved his family deeply and he loved the firefighters just as much. He was selfless. He did for them. He did for us. He did everything he could to stay with all of us, and it just wasn’t meant to be.”
