First responders honored for saving Fox Chapel man's life

A Fox Chapel man is alive thanks to the quick work of some first responders and bystanders in Aspinwall.

Tony Suleski, 81, suffered a cardiac arrest in front of the Aspinwall Borough Building in the early evening of Oct. 4.

His wife, Magdeline Jensen, said they were about to head home from a restaurant when it happened.

Borough Manager Melissa O’Malley called 911.

Police Chief David Nemec and Officer Joshua O’Connor assisted along with nearby dentist Dr. Rob DeFazio.

Retired flight nurse Bob Seitz happened to be in the area and helped the other men with cardiopulmonary resuscitation until Foxwall EMS arrived. Sharpsburg patrolman Zach Smith also responded.

Foxwall Assistant Chief Peter Adams said paramedic Jordan Smith, EMT Tim Welch and EMT Pete Moss arrived on scene along with UPMC St. Margaret paramedic David McWilliams.

“Shortly after the arrival of the paramedic units, the patient was successfully defribrillated and regained a pulse,” Adams reported. “After further stabilization on-scene, the patient was transported to UPMC Shadyside hospital.

“On the way to the hospital the patient regained consciousness and was speaking with the EMS providers.

”The remarkable patient outcome in this circumstance was possible due to the rapid actions by Aspinwall Police and bystanders in rapidly recognizing that the patient was in cardiac arrest and initiating high quality CPR.”

Seitz’s wife, Kathy Seitz, comforted Jensen during the incident.

Mayor Joe Noro presented proclamations to the responders and others involved at a council meeting Nov. 8.

“This is really remarkable,” he said. “This is what first responders do. They don’t think about anything. They hurry up and help people. These people help people. We’ve very lucky that his quality of life is good because of the quick action of each and every one of you guys, which makes me very proud.”

Jensen told meeting attendees her husband was in good spirits and still on a road to recovery.

“He is doing well. He’s not quite ready to venture forth,” she said. “I really appreciate the privilege of saying, ‘Thank you,’ to everyone face to face.”

Jensen said a cardiologist called her while she in a parking lot at UPMC Shadyside.

“They didn’t understand why Tony was in such good shape,” Jensen said. “When I explained what all of you did, they said, ‘Well. That’s the reason.’

“All of you not only saved his life, but literally preserved his quality of life. … As I see it, every beat of his heart from the time you put in him the ambulance and now into the future we are in your debt.”

Jensen and the responders received rounds of applause at the meeting.

Sharpsburg officials are expected to honor them sometime in December.

This updated version corrects a misspelling of Suleski.