Phoenix Fire Department chaplain dies after year-long cancer battle
Oct 1, 2017, 4:23 PM
(Photo: Phoenix Fire)
PHOENIX — The chaplain of the Phoenix Fire Department died on Sunday after a year-long battle with cancer, the department announced.
Father Carl Carlozzi passed away early Sunday morning after battling Esophageal cancer for more than a year, the department said.
“It is with great sadness that PFD announces the passing of Chaplain Carl Carlozzi. His LOVE & Spiritual guidance has served thousands” Kara pic.twitter.com/SWM1x5ot0k
— Phoenix Fire Dept. (@PHXFire) October 1, 2017
Carlozzi joined the Phoenix Fire Department nearly 25 years ago and worked as a volunteer. He was also the Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Phoenix.
Carlozzi has also written 10 books on various topics, including counseling, relationships and interpersonal skills, and will have another book coming out in March.
According to the department, Carlozzi over the course of his career got in touch with tens of thousands of people, making them feel at ease and providing comfort to those in need.
He also married more than 100 firefighters and performed nearly as many funerals and baptisms of firefighters and their children, the department said.
Carlozzi was also deployed with FEMA to Oklahoma City after the 1995 bombing and performed the last rites of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters who died in a 2013 wildfire.
In a tweet on Sunday, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton offered his condolences, tweeting “Sad to hear Father Carl Carlozzi passed away this AM. A beloved member of @PHXFire who helped firefighters in their most tragic moments.”
Sad to hear Father Carl Carlozzi passed away this AM. A beloved member of @PHXFire who helped firefighters in their most tragic moments. pic.twitter.com/k7VxrfeTA4
— Greg Stanton (@MayorStanton) October 1, 2017