Longtime OH Fire Investigator Dies at 90

MASSILLON — The man who is credited with laying the groundwork for fire investigation and prevention here has died.

Jack Darnell, a city fire investigator in the 1970s and early '80s, whose probe of the La Cuisina fatal fire in 1975 helped lead to the capture and prosecution of suspects, died Thursday. He was 90.

Darnell retired from the city's Fire Department in 1983, said Chief Tom Burgasser. And although he never worked with Darnell, Burgasser said, he was the person who taught him the most.

When Burgasser became chief he began looking at the La Cuisina fire files.

"I spent hours upon hours looking at them," the chief said. "His investigation technique was impeccable and his attention to detail was unmatched."

Today, city fire investigators are required to study the La Cuisina fire as part of their training, he said.

"It really is a blueprint on how to investigate," Burgasser said. "He was the epitome of fire prevention and education."

While he can't statistically analyze how many fires his work helped to prevent, Burgasser said, Darnell's detail-oriented technique and dedication to fire investigating yielded results.

During his 24 years with the department, Darnell, a 1946 Washington High School graduate, was honored by the Massillon Jaycees with the Safety Service Award.

Then Fire Chief Michael Bednar said in a letter that he couldn't think of anyone who is closer to his work and more dedicated to the efforts than Darnell.

"His efforts have decreased our fires and fire losses greatly along with creating excellent public relations," Bednar wrote. "Add to this, he still finds time to be a great leader, a truly great Christian father and a devoted family man."

Looking through the scrapbook Darnell's wife of 62 years Angeline kept, his youngest son, Jim, is struck by the words of city leaders and fellow firefighters.

"What I knew coincides with these letters and mementos," Jim Darnell said. "He was a great human being. He was a genuine person. Very hard working but extremely humble."

Another of Darnell's seven children, Kathy Oliver, said her father had a legitimate concern for people, and it was evident in his work especially during his time investigating the La Cuisina fire that killed three of this fellow firefighters.

"There was a right and wrong way and he did things the right way," she said. "He felt a responsibility. He served his community with distinction."

While he served his community, Oliver said he always had time to play with his children, plant a garden, take care of the house and go on vacation.

The Army veteran was an avid baseball player landing him a spot in the Greater Stark County Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.

"He sounds like a superhero," Jim Darnell said. "But he really was a super guy."

His sister added, "Nobody's perfect but he was pretty damn close."

The service for Darnell is 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 206 Cherry Road NE.

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