Death Notices
Also see CHIEF ENGINEERS and SUPREME SACRIFICE
PFD Deaths between 1890 and 1899
October 18, 1893: Former Chief John Regner who served in 1875, dies. Was long time member and a foreman of Passaic Engine Company 1.
March 5, 1897: Reports of imminent death of Chief John Murphy
March 6 - Chief Murphy dies
March 8 Funeral
May 9, 1897: Reporting Imminent death of Benny Doremus - Longest Living Firefighter and Civil War Veteran
June 23, 1897: George Sheldrake
March 18, 1899: Captain Peter Reilly (Chemical 1). Former volunteer member of Jackson Engine 4. and then when horses were introduced he was of the first paid Paterson firemen when he became driver of Jackson Engine 4 October 1885. Became Captain of Engine 9 in 1891.
January 4, 1900: Death Exempt FF William Casey
May 31, 1900: Death of Captain Joseph Kearney (still on job). Also served Volunteer PFD
November 16, 1904: Alfred Dawson
February 19, 1902: Firefighter (Volunteer & Paid FD) death
March 2, 1903: James Madden of Engine 9
July 22, 1903: Civil War Vet and member of Columbia Hose 1 Jacob Mohrle dies
December 14, 1903: Death of Michael Grogan a former firefighter of Lafayette Engine 8
November 12, 1904: F/F Alfred Dawson of Engine 6 commits suicide
January 17, 1905: Frank Blakely (still active at time of death) of Engine 2 and 4
August 19, 1905: Engineer Harry Reid commits suicide. Had 15 year PFD career.
January 6, 1907: Francis Law - former member Protection Engine 5
November 26 , 1908: Engineer Charles Wiley (still active)
March 3, 1909: Death of FF Abram Hartley Appointed 1899 Served Engine 4 9 years
June 22, 1909: Former Volunteer FF David Almond (an Exempt for 58 years) dies. He served with Passaic Engine Company 1. He was an expert of the old-time fire engine hand tubs
June 10, 1910: Retired FF Michael Slattery passes
August 12, 1910: Passing of George Wassmer - likely a volunteer era fireman
May 11, 1911: Captain Christopher Cubby
October, 1911: Lieutenant William Davis
May 15, 1913: Attempted murder by FF Bartholemew Reilly & then his suicide
September 22, 1913: Death of retired FF Thomas Elvin who served Volunteer and Paid departments. Was the first tillerman hired in paid department (served Truck 1).
April 22, 1914: Andrew Knaus appointed March 8, 1889 as first driver of Engine 1. Went on to Lieutenant (July 3, 1912) rank. Served Engine, Chemical 1 and Truck 3
August 24, 1914: Death of former member and city pioneer James Simonton - relative of famed Captains Sam and Charles Simonton of the paid PFD
September 27, 1915: FF Frank Connors
October 3, 1916: Volunteer FF Louis Hasser
October 18, 1916: Thomas Donahue
December 30, 1916: Death of FF James Brady ? Volunteer
October 6, 1916: FF Louis Hasser of Engine 8 Appointed December 1890
October 18, 1916: Thomas Donahue, an original FF - Appointed March 1890 - Retired 1915. He was inventor of automatic fire lighters for used under steam fire engines while they were in quarters. Review his story on the RETIREMENT Page
March 5, 1917: Assistant Chief James C. Mills
August 27, 1917: Volunteer Department Chief - James Kearney
February 27, 1918: FF Martin Brand - one of the first Paid PFD FF. Also served Volunteer PFD
May 24, 1918: FF John Walsh
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April 25, 1919: FF George Muth
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October 3, 1932: Death of Joseph Titus [Uncle of FF and future DC Walter (Lester) Titus]
November 22, 1922: FF Edward Singland
March 21, 1924: Retired Assistant Chief John Gilmore (in command during the great 1902 fire). Was an original 1890 appointee. Retired 1912. Never held any other rank. Was a foremen of Vigilant Engine 6 of Volunteer Department
April 3, 1924: Engineer Paul Wentink Appointed October 1, 1910
November 19, 1924: FF John Brady (former FMBA President)
February 13, 1926: Captain John Cluney - appointed in 1890 and promoted to Captain in 1912 and retired in 1920.
February 13, 1926: Captain John Cluney, appointed in 1890, dies after a fall - Funeral processions passes Engine 9 quarters (he had served as a lieutenant there).
February 26, 1926: FF John Lynch passes away
January 26, 1927: Captain William Boyle, a former alderman - father of subsequent PFD Captains William and Frank Boyle
July 12, 1927: Rites for FF Thomas J Woods Member of Engine 1 Appointed 1912
September 9, 1927: FF Frank Connors
February 4, 1928: Death of famed Captain Stewart Taylor - a member (joined 1873) and Foreman of Vigilant Engine 6 of the Paterson volunteer fire department who went on to be the first Captain of Truck 3 in Paterson's partially paid (1890) and fully paid department (1895). Retired 1910. His son David was also a Paterson F/F.
September 28, 1928: Leonard Chadwick death
March 3, 1929: 44 year veteran of PFD passes
May 23, 1929: Captain Felix McCann appointed in 1895 but still active on job, passes away. Originally with the Paterson Volunteer Department.
December 7, 1929: Edward Kerwin - a "Hero" of the 1902 fire Not on paid PFD roster
November 23, 1932: FF Michael Ryan - Was a Paterson Volunteer firemen and an early driver for Chief Stagg - also served as Engineer in Engines 6, 9 and 7. An FMBA president
April 7, 1934: Passing of David Taylor
April 25, 1934: Retired FF Matthew Ferguson passes
October 16, 1934: FF John J Kelly dies
April 19, 1937: Retired Captain James O'Neill - Served as Volunteer and Paid PFD (as Call man & FF, Lieutenant and Captain 33 years of service Retired 1920
July 5, 1937: Captain William Boyle Appointed July 1905
April 12 1938: Retired FF John Duncan
July 1, 1938: Retired F Jacob Smith
October 6, 1938: Adam Berghorn former volunteer FF
October 13, 1938: Appointed 1916 Popular FF of Engine #13. FMBA officer and veteran Elmer Probert dies at young age. Two brothers George T. and Howard F. were also Paterson firefighters.
November 3, 1938: retired FF Ed Ball
January 25, 1939: FF John Chapman served Volunteer & paid PFD
February 11, 1939: Retired FF Robert Giebelhausen appointed 1903
May 25, 1939: FF Dennis Toomey served PFD 30 years
June 12, 1939: Famed FF Captain Charles Siminton
June 12, 1939: Captain Thomas Hunt 33 year PFD service
August 12, 1939: FF James DaCosta, a WWI vet, still on the job, dies
October 6, 1939: William Fielding former Volunteer FF and a Call Man in early paid department
December 22, 1939: William Shane a 36 year veteran FF
January 21, 1940: Captain Edward Cusack of Truck 1 was appointed in 1896. He retired in 1935. His son Edward A also served at PFD (appointed in 1925) and two grand nephews Ray (appointed 1956) and Edward (appointed in 1963).
November 5, 1940: Captain John Crotty, appointed in 1893, retired 1929, who also served at Neptune 2 and as Assistant Chief of Volunteer PFD. In 1905 he became the Master Carpenter.
June 12, 1941: Volunteer & Exempt FF John W. Hogan
September 27, 1941: Joseph Sheapard (original name = Owczarysck) Appointed November 1, 1926
October 7, 1941: Captain Thomas W Halliwell Sr 25 year member of Engine 8
December 24, 1941: FF Leo Walsh of truck 3 passes
May 8, 1942: Abram Shouger - 26 year career
May 18, 1942: FF Joseph Matthews
February 20, 1943: FF Stephen A. Bergen Appointed 1905
May 21, 1943: FF Andrew Bruno Appointed PFD 1908
September 20, 1943: Fatal accident for B/C Michael Comer
September 1, 1947: FF Chris Garrity (26 years of service) dies while on duty at Engine 8
August 31, 1947: FF James McKelvey a veteran of WWI with 25 years PFD service (Brother of FF William McKelvey)
November 27, 1945: Dr Harry Briody - Fire Surgeon
January 21, 1946: Captain John "Jack" Long - Assistant Master Mechanic
January 5, 1948: Rites for retired BC Charles Nolan
January 30, 1948: Retired FF Joseph McLaughlin
May 18, 1948: Captain Paul Schaub of Truck 3. Appointed PFD in 1916 but left for service in WWI
August 3, 1948: Death retired FF Andrew Greene - appointed 1912
May 24, 1949: Death of retired FF Charles Firstbrook (Engine 8) - 40 years on job
September 22, 1949: Death of retired FF John Brown - appointed 1916
February 4, 1950: Henry Dawson, long time Master Mechanic passes away
March 22, 1950: Engineer Peter Sanford who was appointed in 1905, promoted in 1921 and retired in 1939. Served at E5, E1 and E2 and then after 1921 was supervisor of Steam Fire Engines
April 1, 1950: Engineer Richard T. Cheevers Served Engine 3
October 20, 1950: FAO Lineman Alonzo Space dies
March 21, 1951: Morning Call report of BC Craig's death
October 27, 1951: Captain John Crowley Sr - a veteran of the great 1902 fire
March 18, 1953: Death of Fire Alarm Superintendent Danny Moore
May 22, 1953: Passing of FF George Kuyl (appointed 1916)
December 30, 1954: FF Henry Bush, appointed 1916, passes
February 8, 1955: James Fitzsimmons appointed 1905 and served 38 years - Longtime F/F at Engine 2 on Highland Street. Father of Leo Fitzsimmons who became an Assistant Chief
May 26, 1955: Engineer John J Eagan Sr. Appointed 1908 36 years of service at E4 and E2
May 19, 1956: FF William Kievit Sr WWI Veteran Served PFD 1925 - 1949
October 20, 1956: Still active FF Frank Corr, appointed in 1924, passes away.
January 16, 1957: Captain Joseph T Mariani (retired)
January 26, 1957: Retired FF Harold Lane Appointed January 5 1918 - Served at Engine 9
February 20, 1957: Retired FF Ed Slingland Appointed 1916 Served 34 years
February 26, 1957: Retired FF John Brett 36 years of service
June 10, 1957: Retired FF Robert Simpson WWI veteran Appointed 1918
February 20, 1958: FF Herbert Snook (Note error in clip: Godwin Ave quartered Truck 3 not Engine 3)
March 31, 1958: FF Stephen Wall - 35 years of service - retired 1943
June 22, 1958: Captain Nicholas Attema of Engine Company 12, appointed June 1, 1928 died while on duty in firehouse. Appointed 1928 - Captain at E12 December 1, 1947
February 25, 1959: Martin O'Rourke driver of DC Sweeney and 30 year PFD veteran
April 10, 1959: Longest serving (1912-1945) PFD Chief Thomas Coyle passes
June 8, 1959: Retired FF Vincent Davies 23 year PFD veteran
August 27, 1959: Death FF Charles Bobrowski, appointed in 1912 - Retired 1943 - Former FMBA President
September 22, 1959: FF Edward Heinzelman Served Engine 4 and 13
July 6, 1960: Passing of FF Richard Kane (Uncle of Chief Harold Kane)
March 21, 1961: Former Master Mechanic John Lawless passes
May 31, 1961: 37 years of service at PFD. WWI veteran. Still on active duty when he passed away at home.
November 14, 1961: Captain James Campbell who served for 45 year dies
February 21, 1962: Captain Peter Rege - Appointed 1916 and became Captain in 1921. Retired in 1955. Served at E6, E1 and E7.
August 3, 1962: Death of longtime Aide to Chief Stagg and Coyle, John Anderson
September 9, 1962: Lieutenant Joseph Donnelly of Truck 2. WWII Navy veteran. Appointed January 1, 1951 – Served Truck 1 and 3 - Promoted to Lieutenant September 1, 1960
February 3, 1966: Frank Dalton - WWII veteran - Appointed August 1, 1947 - FMBA President - Served as Truck 1 tiller
October 29, 1966: FF Herman Meyer Appointed 1909 Retired 1933
February 8, 1967: Retired F/F Ferd Miller Wounded vet of WWI
May 2, 1967: James Rafferty - Served PFD for 36 years
October 15, 1968: FF Ernest Wildermuth
November 18, 1968: Captain Peter Howden
December 25, 1968: Appointed July 1, 1916
July 7, 1969: Death of retired Captain Ray Flynn 40 year PFD veteran WWI vet
January 30, 1970: Assistant Chief Joseph Cucci - US WWII Naval veteran
March 11, 1971: 27 year old Rookie F/F Louis Mariani of Engine 5: son of D/C Eugene Mariani, nephew of D/C Wilbert Mariani and grandson of Captain Joseph Mariani. His then wife Corrine (ne Coppo) was the daughter of Captain Frank Coppo and sister of B/C Thomas Coppo.
July 8, 1970: F/F Ed Moore appointed 1969
May 11, 1971: George Walls, WWI veteran was appointed PFD July 1, 1925 – Captain November 10, 1937 - Battalion Chief October 1, 1949 - Deputy Chief March 1, 1956 - Acting Chief May 1, 1959 - Retired November 1, 1959
May 7, 1972: Death of B/C Frank Dowdall - the first Paterson FF to pass a civil service test (1913) and served 44 years, retiring in 1957. Became a B/C after being on job 37 years and was then assigned to Combustibles.
January 25, 1974: Deputy Chief and WWII Veteran Wilbur Mariani - Appointed PFD September 1, 1947
August 18, 1975: Retired FF Arthur Lutz Appointed November 1, 1919
October 7, 1975: Retired Captain Herbert Dodds
December 23, 1975: Deputy Chief Rudolph Peppinghaus
April 2, 1976: Assistant Chief George Peppinghaus
May 10, 1977: Retired FF Joseph Rushton 27 years of service WWI Veteran
December 8, 1977: FF Ralph Di Guglielmo dies on duty at Riverside Firehouse
May 26, 1978: FF Thomas Walsh WWI Navy veteran
October 17, 1979: Ex Chief's aide, WWII vet, John Rankin 30 years on PFD
January 5, 1980: Death of D/C and one time Acting Chief James Kennedy - erroneously identified as Captain
April 21, 1985: Retired Assistant Chief Gerard Dugan (retired 1981) passes away.
June 13, 1985: Chief's Aide Joe Leitner passes
March 5, 1991: A/C Leo Fitzsimmons (son of PFD F/F James Fitzsimmons) WWII Navy veteran. Appointed PFD 1943 and served 28 years. Retired in 1971.
May 19, 1991: Captain George Stanton 36 years service WWII US Army veteran
July 11, 1992: Captain Russell Ferguson,a 12 year PFD veteran dies after being assaulted
March 19, 1993: 40 years of service 1923-1963 Long time Guardian of PFD History
September 28, 1994: FF George Reid passes away.
January 4, 1995: Captain Steve Tubman - Appointed November 1977 - Captain in 1994
June 12, 1996: Captain Edward Conklin - Viet Nam Veteran - Appointed to PFD in 1972 - 24 years of service. Famed PFD illustrator - for Ball Books and F/F retirements, etc
December 25, 1996: FF William Savage, a US Army & US Merchant Marine veteran
December 19, 1997: Retired Captain Ray Allex 30 Years Service WWII Navy veteran
March 6, 2002: Honorary Deputy Chief Sister Loretta Agnes Weingart
September 11, 2003: FF William "Willie" McMaster - started as PPD and transferred to PFD and served 25 years, finishing as ambulance supervisor. A WWII veteran. Of the McMaster's Florist family
June 26, 2004: F/F Chief's Aide Carmine Caposella. Carmine J. Caposella - Badge # 183 - U.S. Army WWII veteran - Appointed to PFD July 1, 1954 – Retired October. 1, 1975 - Father of Battalion Chief Michael Caposella
September 22, 2007: Captain James Kehoe 38 years of service WWII Army Vet Retired April 1, 1986
December 24, 2007: Death of FF Thomas Daunno 13 years of service
February 4, 2008: Captain Patsy Fusaro WWII Army Vet Appointed 1950
February 17, 2008: Captain Don Salmanowitz
April 7, 2008: Captain Neil Vander Linden: served 29 years at PFD and was WWII army vet
June 19, 2008: Captain Walter McMahon Appointed 1956 Captain 1966 Retired March 1, 1981 WWII veteran with Purple Heart and the Air Medal
September 21, 2008: FF Thomas Donohue Naval & Viet Nam Vet
Appointed 1986 - Retired 2002
Appointed 1986 - Retired 2002
October 8, 2008: Death of Henry Otis Harris - Paterson's first African American FF. Appointed 1960 and retired 1988
October 19, 2008: Assistant Chief Salvatore Madama - Appointed 1939 Retired 1978
November 4, 2008: Jack Nargiso WWII Army Vet Appointed 1952 - Retired 1983
November 29, 2008: Captain Elliot McGuire - Served PFD 34 years -
February 13, 2009: Captain Fiore Malzone Appointed 1957 - Retired 1986 WWII Navy Vet
March 27, 2009: John Brzezowski (Breeze)
March 27, 2009: Captain Earl H Plavier Served 31 years Retired 1978
July 5, 2009: Bruce Greenough 25 years of service
December 7, 2009: Captain George Kilgour death
April 8, 2010: Retired FF Anthony Lott WWII Vet
May 11, 2010: Captain Joe Carr served PFD 33 years WWII vet
October 16, 2010: FF Harold "Unc" Nicholas 25 years of service WWII Navy Veteran
October 31, 2010: D/C Harold Schoonmaker, a decorated veteran of WWII. Appointed in 1947 and retired in January 1973.
January 9, 2011: Captain Robert "Woody" Woodruff - Served as Metal-Smith 2nd in US Navy May 6, 1952 thru October 17, 1955 – Appointed PFD March 1, 1960 – Badge # 240 - Assigned March 7, 1960 - E6; A-shift September 1, 1963 E6 Tour 3; January 27, 1964 E7; Tour 2 July 1, 1964 E1, Tour 3; Truck 2, Tour 3 (no date); October 18, 1965 E1, Tour 3 - Promoted to Captain March 1, 1970 E-12, Tour 4; 1979 E13, 1982 E10 Tour 4, 1983 E8 Tour 2
July, 20, 2011: Deputy Chief Jess McCavitt - Served as Aviation Cadet in US Navy August 10, 1942 thru August 19, 1943 – Appointed PFD January 1, 1950 - Badge # 179 -Deputy Chief April 6, 1966.
March 15, 2012: B/C Terrance Pellegrino - brother of D/C Joe Pellegrino
April 1, 2012: Retired Assistant Chief (not chief as listed in obituary). Appointed July 1, 1947. Achieved rank of Assistant Chief March 15, 1970. Retired July 1, 1984.
August 12, 2012: Deputy Chief Joe Pellegrino - 39 years of service
January 22, 2013: FF Rodney "Ronnie" Sasso - a member for 26 years and a US Army Veteran, retiring in 1990 as a Fire Investigator. He was an active member of FMBA Local #2 during his career, serving on numerous committees. He was also a member of St. Anthony's Men's Club, The Passaic County Golf Course, and the Paterson Retired Firefighters Association. Rodney was a proud recipient of a heart transplant over 22 years ago. He is survived by his wife, Karen (Barchi), a son, Ron of Rapid City SD, a daughter, Michele of South Amboy, his step son Richard Lankes of Lyndhurst, nine grandchildren and two sisters. He was predeceased by a stepdaughter, Dawn Bahr, and a brother. Visitation will be Thursday, January 24, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Scillieri Funeral Home, 351 5th Ave, Paterson. Funeral mass on Friday January 25, 2013 at 11 AM, St Brendans Church, Clifton NJ, with burial to follow at Cedar Lawn Cemetery.
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April 3, 2014: Served as Specialist 4th Class National Guard December 19, 1964 thru December 19, 1970 - Appointed PFD June 1, 1974
February 26, 2017: B/C Thomas "Tommy" Coppo, son of famed Truck 2 Captain Frank Coppo. Originally was with PPD. Served in US Air Force during Koran conflict. Came to PFD in 1964 and retired in 1991. Received several awards.
May 16, 2017: Death of Deputy Chief Edward J Hancock 37 Years of service
June 26, 2017: Active F/F Kerry Rivera dies in accident
August 28, 2019: Funeral procession of Captain Dexter Paul at Funeral Home
December 15, 2019: Death retired Battalion Chief Arthur Menzo
January 27, 2020: Joseph Parkin Sr. Oldest living Paterson FF age 95, Served from1957 until his retirement in 1982. WWII Naval Veteran. For more photos CLICK HERE
August 19, 2020: Assistant Chief Gabriel Aboyoun
Bob Connell photos below
August 20, 2020: Captain John Minardi - Appointed PFD July 1, 1966; Promoted to Captain September 1, 1972 when he became PFD's first floating captain