In Tribute to Our Fallen Heroes: Lt. Vincent A. Perez and FF/PM Anthony M. Valerio

 Lieutenant Vincent A. Perez

Firefighter-Paramedic Anthony M. Valerio

 Engine 26

 Engine 26

April 9, 1963 - June 2, 2011

August 14, 1957 - June 4, 2011

Lieutenant Perez, aged 48, was a 21 year veteran of the San Francisco Fire Department.  Prior to joining the San Francisco Fire Department, Vince served in the United States Marine Corps and as a Deputy Sheriff with Alameda County Sheriff’s Department.  Vince was born and raised in San Francisco, attending Archbishop Riordan High School and City College of San Francisco.
 

 
Lieutenant Vincent A. Perez passed away in the line-of-duty June 2, 2011 in his native San Francisco at the age of 48.  Adored son of Irene Aceves Perez and the late Vincent Garcia Perez; loving brother of Lucio Aceves Perez, Maryleen Aceves Perez, Alexander Aceves Perez, and the late David Aceves Perez; cherished nephew of Manuel, Bernabe Alicia and Yolanda Aceves and Hildelisa Perez; loving uncle to Veronica Perez Maloa-Taulealo, Christina Perez Riley, Alisa, Dianna, Alexis, Whitney, and Nataly Perez and great-uncle to Lillymarie Perez, Jasmin and Levi Maloa-Taulealo, and Josia David Perez Riley, loving cousin of Marta Royo, Monica and Rafael Gallardo.  Vince grew up in Bernal Heights in the City and remained loyal and close to the friends he grew up with.  He graduated from St. Charles Elementary School and Archbishop Riordan High School, Class of 1981.  Vince had a great sense of humor, loved restoring vintage cars and cruising his classics down Mission Street in the City.  He served his Country in the U.S. Marine Corp.  Vince was previously a Deputy Sheriff in Alameda County and entered the S.F.F.D. in 1990.  Vince was currently stationed at Engine 26.  He was a member of the San Francisco Fire Fighters Local #798.  Vince's family wishes to thank the City of San Francisco, the SFFD and SFPD for their outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.
 
 

Firefighter/Paramedic Valerio, aged 53, was a 27 year veteran employee for the City of San Francisco, serving 13 years with the Department of Public Health and 14 years with the San Francisco Fire Department.  Tony grew up in the Bay Area, attending El Camino High School, City College of San Francisco, and San Francisco State University.
 

 
Anthony "Tony" Michael Valerio was born August 14, 1957 in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.  He passed away on June 4th, 2011 from injuries sustained in the line of duty as a firefighter and paramedic in San Francisco.  Station 26 was Anthony's second home, and home away from home, where he helped serve the people of San Francisco with his fellow firefighters, who lost not only a fellow firefighter, but a brother.  Anthony died doing the job he loved, at the age of 53.  He is survived by his loving parents Lorraine and Frank, adoring sisters Jacqueline, Donna, Marina & Laura, admiring brothers Mark & Kevin, dear brother-in-law of Bill Walkup, Tim Samsel, Lynda Valerio and Joe Fanfa, nephews Austin and Jared Samsel, Kevin Mullins, and Thomas Walkup; nieces Melissa Walkup and Stephanie Dumm, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  He is also loved and remembered by his former wife Ellen, and friends the world over.  Firefighters, paramedics and police officers citywide in San Francisco will no doubt always remember him.  Anthony grew up in South San Francisco and graduated from El Camino High School, class of 1975.  He attended San Francisco State University, where he earned an associates degree.  He started his public service in 1980 at Acme Western as an EMT in Oakland, CA.  In 1984, he was hired on with the San Francisco Department of Public Health as a Paramedic.  When they merged with the San Francisco Fire Department in 1997, he became a Fire Fighter/Paramedic.  The outpouring of love for his family from the City of San Francisco, SFFD and SFPD is something very much appreciated and that won't soon be forgotten.  Tony was arguably the happiest person you would have ever met.  Tony was known as a character with a quick wit and an uncanny talent for finding humor and lifting your spirits.  He was a shining star amongst San Francisco's courageous and dedicated firefighters.  Tony's life was an adventure, filled with friends, family, and interests.  His interests varied from chicken farming to glider piloting and traveling.  He was an avid surfer, scuba diver, athlete and San Francisco sourdough bread baker.  Station 26 will take care of his sourdough mother starter, enabling them to bake Tony's bread forever.  He described himself as "The People's Paramedic".  His compassion, kindness, and patience for his fellow man in time of need served as an example to all who served with him.