Longtime firefighter and officer Eugene "Gene" Marko, 63, of Tuscarora, who passed away Friday, was given a deserving firefighter's send-off Wednesday for dedicating over 45 years to the Tuscarora Fire Company.

"Gene never missed a call," said past chief and retired assistant chief Tom Slane, Tuscarora Fire Company. "He would always be one of the first at the station."Marko was a life member of the Tuscarora Fire Company, where he served as both president and vice president of the board of directors, in addition to many other positions.Friends said Marko was instrumental in the dedication of the Fireman's Memorial, Veteran's Memorial and squad housing in 2010. In addition, they added that, for many years, he was responsible for the dinners at Bingo on Tuesday nights, fire company picnics in July, and kids Christmas party with Santa and Mrs. Claus.He also participated in many local and state competitions with the fire company, for which they won many awards - to include the most recent first place during the Schuylkill County Volunteer Firefighters' Convention held Saturday in Mahanoy City.Prior to retiring in 2005, Marko had been employed as a supervisor in the finance department of the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., and Philadephia.He was a son of the late Stephen and Mary (Molochnick) Marko.A 1967 graduate of Tamaqua High School, Marko also served on the administrative council of the St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Brockton."He had many friends and was always trying to help someone, either in words or in deeds," said Rev. James Carroll, OFM. "Gene, no matter what, always had a smile on his face. He was a very happy and jolly person. His joy throughout life was following in his parents footsteps as a volunteer fireman with the fire company. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him."The procession, which started at the Zizelman-Roche Funeral Home in Tamaqua, made its way to St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Brockon, where a service was held.Following the service, the entire procession, which included a flag draped casket atop a Tuscarora fire truck, traveled under a large American flag hung over Catawissa Street by Tamaqua's and McAdoo's ladder trucks, ending at the parish cemetery.During the service at the cemetery, a last call was heard over the Schuylkill Communications dispatch," saying:"Fire Distrct 27 Station 3. Gene Marko, past officer of the Tuscarora Fire Company with 45 years of dedicated service. You were the backbone of this company in so many ways. Your service, friendship and brotherhood will never be forgotten. Rest easy brother. This is your last call. Thank you for your years of dedicated service. You'll be missed but never forgetten."In addition, multiple fire siren's echoed over the Tuscarora valley from the fire company's firehouse."Gene was truely one of the best guys you've ever wanted to be around," added Slane. "He touched the lives of so many people."