Gerald M. "Bear" Celecki, 70, was on a call at a home on Parker Avenue when he apparently collapsed in the street.
SOUTH AMBOY - A large turnout of first-responders from across New Jersey is expected on Saturday for the funeral of Gerald M. "Bear" Celecki, the firefighter who died in the line of duty this week.
Celecki, 70, was on a call Wednesday morning at a home on Parker Avenue when he apparently collapsed in the street.
The call had been about an odor of gas and Celecki was directing traffic before other firefighters found him on the ground. Paramedics tried to revive him, but he died a short time later at Raritan Bay Medical Center, officials said.
A cause of death has not been determined.
The case has gone to the Middlesex County Medical Examiner's Office, said South Amboy Fire Chief Michael Geraltowski.
"All line-of-duty deaths go to the medical examiner," Geraltowski said.
RELATED: Longtime South Amboy firefighter collapses, dies in line of duty
Celecki grew up in Perth Amboy and moved to South Amboy in 1985. He served as a firefighter for more than 50 years.
He worked with a number of fire companies, including Progressive Fire Company in South Amboy, Perth Amboy Fire Department and McClellan Engine Company. He was a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association, South Amboy Fire Police and served at the time of his death as chief of the Middlesex County Fire Police.
A 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at Saint Stephen's R.C. Church, 490 State St. in Perth Amboy. Interment will follow at St. Stephen's Cemetery in Keasbey.
Geraltowski asked that members of fire companies wishing to attend the funeral arrive early at the church, where they will be greeted by organizers who will direct them to a staging area.
The chief said he anticipates a "sea of blue" to attend the services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Amboy First Aid Squad or South Amboy Fire Department.
More information about the services can be found on the website of The Gundrum Service Home for Funerals.
Gerald 'Bear' Celecki our life long friend will always be remembered! RIP
Posted by Karin Weinberg on Thursday, October 15, 2015
It is with deep sympathy and sadness that we the members of the South Amboy Police Department send our condolences to...
Posted by South Amboy Police Department on Wednesday, October 14, 2015
NJ | SOUTH AMBOY |**LINE OF DUTY DEATH**| | IT IS W/A HEAVY HEART & DEEP REGRET THAT WE ANNOUNCE THE LODD OF FF GERALD "BEAR" CELECKI. LAST ALARM 10-14-15. SVCS INFO TO FOLLOW WHEN AVAIL |
Posted by Monmouth County Police, Fire & EMS on Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Our thoughts & prayers to the family & friends of FF Gerald (Bear) Celecki and the South Amboy, NJ FD. #LODD
-- Wood-Ridge Fire Dept (@WRFire) October 14, 2015
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.