Memorial banner to be signed by public, given to Comperatore family
WINFIELD TWP — In life, Corey Comperatore was an anonymous but beloved public servant. In death, his name has been honored by the people of Butler County every day since he was killed while protecting his family in the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on Saturday, July 13.
On Friday, the day of Comperatore’s funeral, a banner honoring the fallen firefighter was placed in front of the Brosenitsch Brothers business on Winfield Road. Located next to the banner was a sign inviting passersby to sign the back with a message for Comperatore and his family.
In the five days since the sign went up, dozens of residents have already posted their messages to the back of the sign, offering their thanks to Comperatore for his services to the township as their volunteer fire chief and their condolences to the family.
Brosenitsch Brothers owner Andrew Brosenitsch estimates that “over 100” people have put their messages on the sign in just five days.
“I’m sure our Lord and Savior welcomed you with open arms saying, ‘Well done, faithful servant!’” read one message from Sharlett Anthony. “I sincerely pray for love, comfort, and healing that only Jesus can provide you with!”
“Know that even with you gone, you’re never forgotten,” read a message from “Sara, Jen, & Alex.” “Thank you for your sacrifice! Your brothers and sisters in service will protect your family forever!”
According to Brosenitsch, the sign was made by Bruce Cooper of Cooper Signs in Winfield Township, free of charge.
“I went to him and asked him if he could print something up,” Brosenitsch said. “I offered him money, but he wouldn't take it.”
On Friday, July 26, Cooper and Brosenitsch’s memorial banner will be moved to Sprankle Woods on Riemer Road, in time for the West Fest on Saturday, July 27.
“I talked with Doug Sprankle over there, and he told me it was OK,” Brosenitsch said. “He said, ‘Absolutely, bring it over.’”
“Right as you enter, it'll be right there, proudly presented,” said Doug Sprankle, the operator of Sprankle Woods as well as the Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market in Saxonburg. “Trying to gather support is what we're all about. We wanted to take part as much as we could.”
After West Fest, the sign will be moved back in front of Brosenitsch Brothers on Winfield Road for a short time before it gets presented to the Comperatore family, possibly by way of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department.
The banner is far from the only tribute to Comperatore in the county. Local businesses have posted messages on their signs to pay tribute to him and his family. This includes the Planet Mart on Winfield Road across the street from Brosenitsch Brothers, which reads “R.I.P. Corey.”
Comperatore had served as fire chief of the Buffalo Township VFD. He worked as an engineer for JSP in Butler.
