Obituary of Joseph Anthony Hall

Captain Joseph A. Hall Firefighter captain, veteran, and hero Joseph A. Hall, 76, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 with his loving wife of 54 years, Geri, and five children by his side. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, five children , Denise, Gerri Ann, Joseph, Gerald and Kristine,2 sisters, Patricia Catrabrone and Barbara Haney, 1 brother Jack Hall, 14 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother Richard Hall Captain Hall was born on August 1, 1939. He lived a very long, fulfilled life that was dedicated to service and helping others. He graduated from the Philadelphia Fire Academy on June 12, 1959. In 1961, Joseph A. Hall was drafted into the United States Army where he served honorably as an Army Firefighter until his honorable discharge on November 4, 1963. At this time, he immediately returned to his service as a Philadelphia Firefighter. Over the course of his 32 years of service as a firefighter, he received many awards. Captain Hall's most heroic rescue occurred on March 21, 1968. He was stationed at 16th and Parish, the famed Ladder 1. He was riding the 25 bus on his way into work when a fire broke out in a nearby house. Battalion Chief Vincent Lehman, who was also riding the bus that day, immediately stopped the bus and ordered Hall off the vehicle. The two firefighters made their way to the burning house. Upon arrival, they heard three kids screaming from the third floor of a house fully engulfed in smoke and flames. The two firefighters crawled on hands and knees through the crumbling house and followed the screams of the three trapped children. The men reached the children and pulled one 18-month old baby from the crib and grabbed the other two girls who were 9 and 11. All five made their way back down the steps to safety. On that day, the entire Vassallos family was saved. The City of Philadelphia and the Fire Department honored Firefighter Hall on August 15, 1968 with their highest accolade for Heroism, the Distinguished Service Award. Captain Hall retired from the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1992 after fulfilling a very courageous and valiant service. After retirement Joe spent his many days golfing, fishing, and watching Phillies games and Notre Dame football games. He spent his winters in Pompano Beach, Florida and summers in The Villas, NJ. Joe was a longtime member of The Villas Fishing Club and Lower Township Moose Lodge & NW Elks Lodge. Relatives and friends are invited to share in Capt. Joe Hall's Life Celebration Monday eve. from 7 -9 P.M. and Tues morning 9:30- 10:30 a.m. at EVOY FUNERAL HOMES, INC. 3218 Bayshore Road, North Cape May, NJ. Funeral Mass 11:00 A.M. on Tues. St. John of God, 680 Townbank Road, North Cape May, NJ. Interment Cape May County Veterans' Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Joe's memory to Local 22 Charitable Trust for Widows Fund, 415 N. 5th St., Phila, PA 19123 would be appreciated by his family. .