Young Kearny Firefighter Passes Away After Battle With Cancer

It is a sad day for the Kearny Fire Department.  Chief Joseph Mastandrea announced on social media late this afternoon that 39-year old Firefighter Francis “Frankie” McAllister had passed away at home after a battle with cancer.

“With a heavy heart and profound sadness I regret to announce that active-duty Firefighter Francis “Frankie” McAllister, 39, passed away on August 23, 2021, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Recently described by a colleague as, “…one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to know,” Firefighter McAllister proudly served the Kearny Fire Department since October 2016. A graduate of Kearny High School, Frankie married his sweetheart Emily (nee Dolaghan) in April 2020, and the two settled in Kearny.
On behalf of his brother and sister firefighters, I extend our most sincere condolences to the McAllister, Logan, and Dolaghan families.”
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Frankie at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, located at 596 Belgrove Drive in Kearny on Wednesday August 25 from 3 to 7 pm.  A funeral service will be celebrated at the First Presbyterian Church, 663 Kearny Avenue in Kearny on Thursday, August 26 at 11:00 AM.   Cremation will be held privately.

Born in Belleville, Frankie was a lifelong resident of Kearny.  A graduate of Kearny High School, Frank was a great soccer player there, and later coached soccer for St. Peter’s Prep.  He was also a dedicated fan of Rangers F.C.

Frank was a proud firefighter for the Town of Kearny.  A true hero, Frank always put others before himself. He loved his friends dearly, and could be counted on anytime someone was in need. Frankie had a huge heart, and all that knew and loved him were truly blessed.

Frank was the dear son of Thomas and Janet (nee Logan) McAllister; beloved husband of Emily (nee Dolaghan) McAllister; and was the loving father-to-be of Callum Thomas. Frank was also the cherished brother of Heather McAllister and her husband Richard, and Lorraine McAllister; son-in-law of Thomas and Cynthia Dolaghan, and brother-in-law of John and Thomas Dolaghan. He is also survived by his dear God-Mother Betty Wason, by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and God-Daughters, and by his faithful dog, Rugby.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for a college fund to be set up for Callum Thomas McAllister.