Bruce R. Zamelsky, 66, of LaGrange, GA died Monday, July 31, 2017, at LaGrange Hospice, LaGrange GA surrounded by his family and friends.

Bruce was born September 23, 1950, in Newark, NJ, son of the late Harvey Zamelsky and Phyllis Nacht Zamelsky.

Bruce was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, an author and a life-long advocate for training and safe working environments for Emergency Responders throughout the US.

He began what would become his career work as a volunteer firefighter in New Jersey in 1972 at age 22, then moved to Florida where he began his professional career at a fire district in South Florida. Bruce became a Paramedic in Florida, then moved to Georgia where he practiced as a EMT/Paramedic in Elbert and Madison counties before becoming a full-time instructor at the Georgia Public Safety Training center — instructing Emergency Medical Technicians and Firefighters from around the state. He also trained many others around the country as a guest instructor.

Bruce’s next professional move was to New York City where he became the Assistant Director of Health and Safety — then following the merger with the Fire Department, became the OSHA compliance coordinator for FDNY.

He earned his BS degree there in Emergency Services Management and his Masters degree in Safety Engineering. While serving New York City, he was injured on-the-job in an automobile accident, which ended his career after which he moved to LaGrange, GA in retirement.  While in Georgia,

Bruce continued to serve others as a CASA volunteer — an advocate for children in the care of the State, and as an occasional speaker. In retirement, he also authored Memoirs of a Firefighter/Paramedic, telling of many of his experiences that his fellow emergency personnel can relate to.

Bruce is survived by his daughter Adena (Chris) Lackey; granddaughters Tiffany Holland and Logan Lord; great-granddaughter Aspen; sister, Marsha Bergman; brother, Barry (Suzi) Zamelsky; and several nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his 3 step sons, Michael, Steven and Gary Gray, as well as his many friends from all around the country.

Celebration of Life services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017, in the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, LaGrange, GA.

The gathering of family and friends will be on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests all contributions be made to Hospice LaGrange, 1510 Vernon Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 or to www.cholangiocarcinoma.org in memory of Bruce R. Zamelsky.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636