Lower Saucon remembers mentor, first responder John Kalynych

• Lower Saucon council presented a resolution on Wednesday in honor of the sacrifices of local first responder John Kalynych
• Kalynych's family, including his sons Andrew and Dylan, accepted the resolution
• Lower Saucon Fire Rescue Chief Tyson Johnson says, "The department now has a big hole to fill on the team and in their hearts"

LOWER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — Lower Saucon Council dedicated a resolution on Wednesday in remembrance of first responder and fireman John Kalynych, who served the township and beyond for a number of decades.

The resolution was presented to his sons, Andrew and Dylan, along with the immediate family in attendance at the meeting.

Kalynych died in the line of duty while serving with Lower Saucon Fire Rescue back on Aug. 27. He was 50.

“Lower Saucon Fire Rescue and the Township are saddened by the sudden Line of Duty Death of a friend and firefighter who made an ever-lasting impact on those who were fortunate to know him and gave so much back to the community that he loved,” the resolution reads.

He’s survived by his parents Paul and Pauline; sons Andrew and Dylan and their mother Jacquelyn; his significant other, Jennifer, with whom he resided; sister Rebecca and her husband David; grandfather Kenneth; and his aunt, uncles, nieces and a child due in October.

Lower Saucon Fire Rescue Chief Tyson Johnson said Kalynych was an “outstanding” person and fireman, saying the man was a lifelong friend to a number of people.

“He was a mentor to many,” Johnson said. “It didn’t matter where you came from, who you were — if you were interested in emergency services, he was going to help you learn more.”

He said the department has a big hole to fill both on the job and in their hearts.

Kalynych served as both the safety officer for Lower Saucon Fire Rescue as well as the former deputy chief of the Catasauqa Fire Department.

He started as an emergency medical technician in the late 1980s and became a lifelong member of both Hanover and Bethlehem Township volunteer fire companies. Kalynych was also a former chief of special operations overseeing technical rescue and hazardous materials response for Lehigh County Emergency Management as well as the director of emergency management.

Kaylynch at one point was a member of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team – PA Task Force 1 and the state Emergency Management USAR with PA Company 3.

Kalynych worked a part-time role on the Municipal Emergency Response Team within the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office. He also was co-owner of M&J Outdoor Services.

Council President Jason Banonis said he attended Kalynych’s memorial recently, and thanked his fellow firefighters for their efforts for that service and showing up in his honor at Wednesday’s meeting.

“I was thoroughly impressed with the brotherhood that existed among all the members of the fire services and emergency services,” Banonis said of the ceremony.