IAFF Mourns Passing of PFANJ President Canzanella

June 12, 2007 – The IAFF is mourning the loss of Tom Canzanella, president of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) and Hackensack, NJ Uniformed Fire Officers Association Local 3172. Canzanella, 50, died June 12 from a heart attack. Last week he had suffered a sudden brain aneurism.

Click here to read the obituary.

The viewing will be held Friday, June 15, 2007, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601; (201) 487-1010. The funeral will be held Saturday, June 16, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Trinity Church, 34 Maple Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601; (201) 343-5170. Interment will be private. Click here for directions to the funeral home. Fire department personnel are requested to be in Full Class A Uniforms.

“The unexpected and terrible loss of Brother Canzanella weighs heavy on the hearts of his family, friends and all IAFF members,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “His leadership and dedication to duty has led to the improvement of working conditions and benefits for all professional fire fighters in New Jersey. He was a true champion for fire fighter safety and a leader in supporting the IAFF on all issues of concern to union members.”

Canzanella was a new union official on July 1, 1988, when five members of his local were killed in a fire and collapse at a car dealership in Hackensack. He led the crusade for a full and proper investigation of the event. After the investigation, he pushed for major changes in his fire department based on the report of the investigation.

In addition to serving as president at both the state and local level, Canzanella was a District Field Service Representative for the 1st District and an IAFF HazMat/WMD instructor.

He is survived by his wife, Diane, and his children, Thomas and Allison.

In lieu of flowers, the Canzanella family has requested that donations be made to:

Hackensack Fire Department Widows & Orphans Fund
205 State Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601


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