Local Firefighter John Tripodi Dies at 61

John Tripodi, a retired firefighter from the Santa Cruz County’s Central Fire District, died Wednesday after a six-year battle with cancer. He was 61.

Called “Superman” by his friends, family and coworkers, Tripodi was initially given six months to live when he was diagnosed with cancer, but he overcame incredible medical odds and survived for six years.

During those six years, Tripodi didn’t just fight for his own life. After his diagnosis, he became extremely active in helping other firefighters diagnosed with cancer developed from the carcinogens involved in fighting fires. He joined the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and reached out to firefighters across the nation. 

Tripodi urged firefighters to fill out “exposure reports” if they felt any physical effects of the wide array of carcinogens and chemicals in the smoke, as he had a hard time getting the Worker’s Compensation Board to accept the fact that his cancer came from his occupation. 

“I’m a non-smoker,” he told Patch in February. "I never thought I would get cancer, and I came down with lung cancer and kidney cancer at the same time.”  

On a more local level, Tripodi served on the board of the Fallen Officer’s Foundation (FOF), a nonprofit organization that supports first responders and their families with financial assistance in times of crisis.

Tripodi attended the FOF’s Annual Ball on Feb. 12, even after having been hospitalized just days before, and he spoke, despite his pain.

“Even when he was really struggling, his focus was always on other people," said Donna Lind, vice mayor of Scotts Valley and president of the FOF. "I had several firefighters tell me stories about when they were going through a loss or a divorce—John was the first one at the door and organizing help if need be and making sure everyone was taken care of.”

Tripodi went back into the hospital on Feb. 19. Although doctors weren’t sure he would make it through the night, he survived for five more days, during which a constant stream of visitors went through to tell him goodbye.

Tripodi is survived by his two children and his wife, Jackie.

“She was his cheerleader all the way through," Lind said. "He always said Jackie was the love of his life. The two of them were an incredible team."

John Tripodi’s memorial is at 11 a.m. Saturday, at Twin Lakes Church, 2701 Cabrillo College Dr., Aptos. It is open to the public. The Tripodi family has requested that instead of flowers, a donation be made to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, the Fallen Officer Foundation or the Central Fire Local 3605 Firefighters Union’s Widow and Orphan Fund.