Two members of the Reading Fire Department passed away recently.
Readingpafire offers our condolences to the families and friends of both of these Members of the Reading Fire Department, to whom this website is dedicated. Please join with us by offering your thoughts. We have set up Memorial Guestbooks for each of the members.
Firefighter Perry Apostolou died in the early morning hours of April 11, several hours after being admitted to the hospital.
Firefighter Apostolou began his career with the fire department in 1967 and was assigned to the driver position of Ladder 3 for more than 25 years.
Paramedic Cheryl Breneiser died late in the afternoon on April 12 after being taken to the hospital from her home by fellow EMS personnel assigned to a County EMS Department.
Paramedic Breneiser began working with Reading EMS in January of 2006 and was assigned to Medic 603. Breneiser had previously worked for various EMS Companies in Berks County.
Services are as Follows
Firefighter Perry Apostolou
At the Bean Funeral Home, Reading,
Sunday April 15th, 2007 – Viewing from 1800 hours to 2030 hours.
Monday April 16th, 2007 – Viewing from 0930 to 1030 hours – Service at 1030 hours.
Graveside Services following at Charles Evans Cemetery.
An Honor Guard will stand for Firefighter Apostolou and a Ladder Arch will be set up along the procession route to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Humane Society or the Animal Rescue League are recommended and appreciated in the name of Brother Apostolou.
We have set up a Memorial Guestbook for Perry If you would like to leave a message.
Paramedic Cheryl Breneiser
(as per the Reading Eagle) "Religious services will be held Wednesday (April 18) at 11 a.m. in Zion Spies Evangelical Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Thomas Irwin officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Exeter Township. Friends are invited to call Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in John P. Feeney Funeral Home Inc., Reading."
"The family requests donations to Zion Spies Church, 310 Spies Church Road, Reading, PA 19601."
An Honor Guard will stand for Paramedic Breneiser and a Ladder Arch will be set up along the procession route to the cemetery. Coordinated efforts between the Reading Fire Department and other County Fire and EMS Companies will be in place for the processional. More information will be presented as received from Fire Administration.
We have set up a Memorial Guestbook for Cheryl If you would like to leave a message.
In 2006, Paramedic Breneiser was featured in a recruitment poster for the Fire Department, click her photo for the full size banner
April 18, 2007 - from FF/Paramedic M. Grow. As Cheryl's partner, I would like to thank the officers and members of Reading Fire, Western Berks EMS, and all who attended the viewing and funeral service. A special thanks goes out to Sarge Eschelman, Scott Sayers, and Bill Shuman for their organizing the honor guard, pallbearers, Bagpiper, Processional, and the impressive fly over by Medevac, Pennstar, and Skycare. I would also like to thank the officers and members of Alsace Manor Fire Company, for giving our sister her final ride on an emergency vehicle.
I don't mean to slight anyone, and have probably left some out that may feel they deserve more recognition, however there is only so much time to say thanks. If you are truly a friend of Cheryl's, or were even aquatinted with her, then you know how she'd have felt. Let's get back to work and back to what we do best, helping those in need. That will be the most fitting tribute to Cheryl.
April 17, 2007 - On behalf of the Apostolou family, Firefighter Keith 'Sarge' Eschelman has asked us to relay the following: "The Apostolou family is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the members of the Reading Fire Department, Local 1803 - The Reading Firefighters, and the many other friends who came to show their respect and those who left messages on the web site." (Readingpafire.com)
At the Bean Funeral Home, Reading, 
(as per the 