Joshua Aaron Weissman

Joshua Weissman, 33, died February 9, 2012, as a result of injuries sustained while responding to an emergency as a paramedic with the Alexandria, Va. Fire Department. Joshua was born in Ithaca, N.Y. on February 23, 1978. As a young child he developed a strong interest in construction equipment and fire engines. This fascination grew over time and at the age of 16 Joshua began volunteering with the Cayuga Heights Fire Department. With the department, he soon realized his passion for providing emergency medical care. While continuing to gain education and experience as a volunteer firefighter, Joshua studied at Ithaca College receiving his B.A. in history in 2000. As a student volunteer, he lived at the fire station. There he met and fell in love with another volunteer, Rebecca Updike. They married in 2005. Joshua served with several ambulance companies including Bangs in Ithaca, N.Y., TLC in Cortland, N.Y., Rural-Metro in Syracuse, N.Y. and the Washington, D.C. Fire Department. At 26, he joined the Alexandria Fire Department where he served for more than seven years. Joshua's peers and supervisors praised his clinical skills and his commitment to those he served. He was known to visit the homes of the individuals and families he helped, to provide comfort after an emergency subsided. Beyond serving as an emergency responder, Joshua participated in numerous committees for the department and as an instructor. His former students have expressed enormous respect for his work with some crediting Joshua for changing their lives with his teaching. Joshua's work has been recognized by numerous awards including the Alexandria Jaycees Award in 2011 for his contributions to the Field Training Program for EMS Interns, and the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Valor Award. He loved and was loved by those with whom he worked. Dedication to his work was equaled only by Joshua's dedication to his beloved wife Rebecca and his family and friends. He was an amazing husband and filled Rebecca's life with so much love and a lifetime of wonderful memories to cherish. Beyond work and family Joshua filled his life with his love of construction equipment, American history, caring for his garden, playing with his most loved cat Nahla and as a proud fan of the New York Rangers, New York Jets and the New York Mets. Joshua was an exemplary human being. By the young age of 33, he had lived more than half his years as an emergency responder. At the same time, he created an existence both whole and balanced. Contentment and gratification were the result. What he would have accomplished had he lived will never be known. Yet, all who knew him knew his was a life full and well lived. He is survived by his loved and loving wife Rebecca; his adoring parents, Edward and Frances Weissman; his admiring brother and sister-in-law Gabriel and Jessica Weissman; and respecting extended family, father and mother-in-law Ronald and Maureen Updike and Rebecca's sisters and brother-in-laws Sarah and Rodney Smith, Michelle Updike and Charles McCreless, Kristin and Steven Pronko and finally his nephew and niece Trevor and Madison Smith. A viewing will be held at the Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22302, on Wednesday, February 15 at 5:00pm and the funeral will be held at Beth El Hebrew Congregation 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria VA, 22304 on Thursday, February 16 @1:00 pm. You may leave a condolence to the family at www.everlyfuneralhomes.com.