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<p>FORTY FORT &#8212; A home on Yates Street will be torn down in the next few weeks, but the memories surrounding the double block destroyed by fire this past October will remain.</p><p>Although the blaze, believed to be electrical in nature, took the life of Rosalie McGough, those gathered for a vigil in her honor said they felt her spirit among them, instilling joy and laughter, describing her as a &#8220;matriarch.&#8221;</p><p>Former residents of both sides of the double block participated in the ceremony, welcoming longtime neighbors, taking time for a hug or words of comfort.</p><p>The McGoughs at 24 Yates St. and the Peruginos at 26 Yates St. described their relationships as much more than those of neighbors, even more than simply friends, as former residents of both sides of the house said they were &#8220;like family.&#8221;</p><p>Holding a candle as she looked out onto the vigil, tears of both happiness and grief making their way down her face, the McGoughs&#8217; daughter, Michelle Veronick, recalled sneaking onto the roof with next-door-neighbor and best friend Paula Perugino, late-night talks through the walls and occasionally getting in a bit of trouble together.</p><p>Son Bill McGough remembered sleeping in the basement as a senior in high school, providing opportunity for him to occasionally sneak out.</p><p>Irene Perugino, who escaped the late-night fire but lost most of her possessions, nevertheless called herself &#8220;blessed, having lots of gratitude.&#8221;</p><p>Perugino remembered police coming to her door, telling her the house was on fire and getting her to safety.</p><p>&#8220;Rosalie was on the second floor, and just never made it out,&#8221; she said.</p><p>&#8220;I have everything that is important,&#8221; she said, &#8220;but I miss Rosalie.&#8221;</p><p>Mayor Andy Tuzinski said the fire had taken two families from Yates Street, whom he described as fixtures of the neighborhood.</p><p>Tuzinski had been one of the first on site at the fire and assisted in the rescue as a volunteer firefighter.</p><p>&#8220;This block lost a lot in that fire,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Tuzinski took time to comfort Rosalie&#8217;s husband Bill McGough during the service in which the Rev. John Hartman, of Grace Episcopal Church, said the home would be &#8220;hallowed by cherished memories.&#8221;</p><p>He prayed that, although the double block would be razed in the next few weeks, both families would be comforted, knowing that &#8220;the presence of God is not tied to any place or building.&#8221;</p><p>Mark Perugino, having grown up in the house that had so many memories and such a tragic ending, said, &#8220;I think tonight will provide a bit of closure for those who have experienced such a great loss.&#8221;</p><p>As part of the ceremony, Hartman said, &#8220;We Episcopalians are big on blessings,&#8221; while making his way around the building sprinkling holy water.</p><p>Those gathered at the evening&#8217;s vigil, surrounded family and friends, said they were indeed blessed.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">The Rev. John Hartman leads a group of family and friends of Rosalie McGough in a blessing outside of the home that suffered a fire in October that took the life of Rosalie. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL083015vigil21.jpg</photo0><caption0>The Rev. John Hartman leads a group of family and friends of Rosalie McGough in a blessing outside of the home that suffered a fire in October that took the life of Rosalie. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL083015vigil11.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Bill McGough lights his candle from the flame of his daughter Michelle McGough Veronick at a candlelight vigil in memory of Rosalie McGough who died in a fire at their family home on Yates Street in Forty Fort. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL083015vigil11.jpg</photo1><caption1>Bill McGough lights his candle from the flame of his daughter Michelle McGough Veronick at a candlelight vigil in memory of Rosalie McGough who died in a fire at their family home on Yates Street in Forty Fort. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL083015vigil31.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">The Rev. John Hartman leads a group of family and friends of Rosalie McGough in a blessing outside of the home that suffered a fire in October that took the life of Rosalie. Hartman walked around the home and blessed the home that is to be torn down. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_TTL083015vigil31.jpg</photo2><caption2>The Rev. John Hartman leads a group of family and friends of Rosalie McGough in a blessing outside of the home that suffered a fire in October that took the life of Rosalie. Hartman walked around the home and blessed the home that is to be torn down. </caption2><photoCredit2></photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geraldine Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGgibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Family, neighbors of Forty Fort fire victim celebrate her life