On Jan. 22, Alburtis began mourning the loss of another luminary in the borough when Paul Seigfried Jr. passed away at age 79.

Seigfried was born in Alburtis, grew up and married Barbara (Epting) and remained a lifetime resident of Alburtis. He was called "Siggie" by fellow firefighters and friends.

He was an Army veteran, Alburtis firefighter and currently Alburtis Borough's Emergency Management Agency coordinator, but Seigfried's life of dedication to others does not end there.

A Freemason, Seigfried was an active member of Lehigh Lodge #326 in Macungie. He was a York Rite Mason and Scottish Rite Mason. Also a Shriner, Seigfried was a member of Allentown Shriners Club and Reading Rajah.

"He was very active," firefighter and fellow mason Mike (Bubba) Eremus said, adding Siggie's favorite thing to do was paying for the firefighters who were masons to go to the Shriners Club annual dandelion dinner at the Grange in Allentown.

Seigfried retired from firefighting in 2007 after 55 years of service but continued helping and working on various projects at the firehouse whenever he was needed.

"That is called 'steering the ship from behind.' He was a great man. He did more for others than anyone will ever know," said a fellow Mason who worked with Seigfried on many projects and wished to remain anonymous.

The only child of Paul Seigfried, Sr., an Alburtis firefighter and fire chief for many years, Seigfried, Jr. followed in his father's footsteps as he was also the fire chief for nine years. He was also the assistant chief, a lieutenant, a captain and a firefighter.

Retired from Lutron Electronics in 1997 where he worked for 24 years, Seigfried still worked part time.

"He was happy to see the turnaround at the fire company and social quarters as a whole. He was retired but very active and liked just being there all the time.

"It was exactly three months ago, Oct. 22, 2012, that the same crew went to [Alburtis Mayor/Fire Police Captain] Bob Mader's home. When other firefighters heard the call, everyone from the station went to the house and sat with his wife Barbara until she was ready to go to bed. They did not leave her until she wanted them to," fellow Mason and vice president of Alburtis Fire Company Social Quarters Jason Graul said.