Barry Van Horn became the second borough firefighter to die this month when he suffered a heart attack after a service call last week, reports nj.com (http://bit.ly/1C4t9t1)
At 7:25 a.m. on March 25, Van Horn, returning from a call, was in his office filling out a report — Van Horn is also a municipal fire official — when he felt ill, said Greg Sorace, deputy chief of the Somerville Fire Department. After returning home, Van Horn continue to feel ill and suffered a heart attack, Sorace said. He was found by his wife, Denise, Sorace said.
Van Horn, 63, was transported by ambulance to Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in Somerset, where doctors were able to bring back his pulse, Sorace said. Van Horn remained in the hospital until his death on Friday, March 27, Sorace said.
Sorace said he didn’t know the details Van Horn’s involvement in the service call.
Van Horn, a lifelong Somerville resident, spent 43 years as a firefighter with West End Hose Company No. 3, located on West High Street in Somerville. He served in various capacities, including as captain. He was a fire inspector for 23 years.
“Barry touched a lot of lives throughout Somerville,” said Sorace, who knew Van Horn for more than 30 years. “He was the type of person who would take a new member and take an active part in his training. He was just helpful to everyone. He got along with everybody. He’s going to be missed by many. His loss is going to be difficult to deal with.”
