Community Mourns 2 Brothers, Cranberry Twp. Volunteer Firefighters Who Died Within Hours Of Each Other
CRANBERRY, Pa. (KDKA) - The Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company is mourning the unexpected loss of two brothers who passed away within hours of each other.
In a Facebook post, Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company says former chief and fire administrator Mark Nanna passed away Wednesday evening and his brother, former president Lee Nanna, passed away five hours later after learning about his brother's death.
"I'll still say and I think everybody else believes. Lee died of a broken heart because of his brother. He just couldn't take it," said Gary Brewer of the Cranberry Township Fire Department.
The Nanna brothers were synonymous with service at the fire company and in the community.
They joined the fire company together on the same day.
"For the fire company and the township, you really can't describe it. The two guys, they did everything," said Brewer.
The brothers did everything together. It's part of what made them so special to everyone.
"Both Mark and Lee were larger than life figures in this community. They were well known not only by firefighters but people in the community," said Bruce Hezlep of the Cranberry Township VFD.
Mark, 56, died Wednesday night due to complications from an infection.
Early Thursday morning, 69-year-old Lee, upon hearing the news his little brother died, suffered a heart attack.
The men embodied nearly 30 years of service and dedication to the fire department and community.
"They were an extension of one another. You couldn't even write a story like this," Hezlep said.
"One Nanna was there, the other ones were right with them. It's just the way they were. They were always together," Hezlep added.
Brother Neal proudly serves as well.
The fire company announced the funeral service arrangements for the brothers.
Private visitation for family and firefighters is scheduled for Sunday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Boylan-Glenn-Kildoo Funeral Home.
A firefighter service with the final radio call will happen at 7 p.m. Sunday, the fire company says.
Public visitation is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Then the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Dutilh United Methodist Church, followed by interment and a luncheon.
