DEATHS / OBITUARIES

Death Notices

Also see CHIEF ENGINEERS and SUPREME SACRIFICE

June 23, 1897: George Sheldrake

November 16, 1904: Alfred Dawson

February 19, 1902: Firefighter (Volunteer & Paid FD) death

January 17, 1905: Frank Blakely (still active at time of death) of Engine 2 and 4

Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 6, 1907: Francis Law - former member Protection Engine 5

January 6, 1907 NY Times - courtesy Jim Eifler

1891 Certificate signed by Acting Chief John Murphy and Mayor Nathan Barnert - courtey Michael Cleenput

December 1 1908: Engineer Charles Wiley (died November 27)

Morning Call

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

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 10, 1910: Retired FF Michael Slattery passes

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 12, 1910: Passing of George Wassmer - likely a volunteer era fireman

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 11, 1911: Captain Christopher Cubby

October, 1911: Lieutenant William Davis

September 22, 1913: Death of retired FF Thomas Elvin who served Volunteer and Paid departments. Was the first tillerman hired.

Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

September 27, 1915: FF Frank Connors

October 3, 1916: Volunteer FF Louis Hasser

October 18, 1916: Thomas Donahue

March 5, 1917: Assistant Chief James C. Mills

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 27, 1917: Volunteer Department Chief - James Kearney

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

April 25, 1919: FF George Muth

October 3, 1932: Death of Joseph Titus [Uncle of FF and future DC Walter (Lester) Titus]

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 22, 1922: FF Edward Singland

April 8, 1924: Engineer Paul Wentink

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.

Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 26, 1927: Captain William Boyle, a former alderman - father of subsequent PFD Captains William and Frank Boyle

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 17, 1926: Captain John Cluney, appointed in 1890, dies - Funeral processions passes Engine 9 quarters (he had served as a lieutenant there).

Morning Call Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 26, 1926: FF John Lynch passes away

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

September 9, 1927: FF Frank Connors

February 4, 1928: Captain Stewart Taylor

March 3, 1929: 44 year veteran of PFD passes

March 4 Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 23, 1929: Captain Felix McCann appointed in 1895 but still active on job, passes away. Originally with the Paterson Volunteer Department.

Felix McCann as Lieutenant T1 in 1913

December 7, 1929: Edward Kerwin - a "Hero" of the 1902 fire Not on paid PFD roster

December 8 Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

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

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

April 25, 1934: Retired FF Matthew Ferguson passes

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 16, 1934: FF John J Kelly dies

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 5, 1937: Captain William Boyle Appointed July 1905

October 13, 1938: FF Elmer Probert Appointed 1916

December 22, 1939: William Shane a 36 year veteran FF

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

June 12, 1941: Volunteer & Exempt FF John W. Hogan

September 27, 1941: Joseph Sheapard (original name = Owczarysck) Appointed November 1, 1926

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 7, 1941: Captain Thomas W Halliwell Sr 25 year member of Engine 8

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 24, 1941: FF Leo Walsh of truck 3 passes

May 8, 1942: Abram Shouger - 26 year career

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

May 18, 1942: FF Joseph Matthews

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

February 20, 1943: FF Stephen A. Bergen Appointed 1905

May 21, 1943: FF Andrew Bruno Appointed PFD 1908

November 27, 1945: Dr Harry Briody - Fire Surgeon

January 21, 1946: Captain John "Jack" Long - Assistant Master Mechanic

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 5, 1948: Rites for retired BC Charles Nolan

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 30, 1948: Retired FF Jose[h McLaughlin

May 18, 1948: Captain Paul Schaub of Truck 3. Appointed PFD in 1916 but left for service in WWI

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 3, 1948: Death retired FF Andrew Greene - appointed 1912

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

April 1, 1950: Engineer Richard T. Cheevers Served Engine 3

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 20, 1950: FAO Lineman Alonzo Space dies

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

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)

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

December 30, 1954: FF Henry Bush, appointed 1916, passes

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

October 20, 1956: Still active FF Frank Corr, appointed in 1924, passes away.

July 6, 1960: Passing of FF Richard Kane (Uncle of Chief Harold Kane)

March 21, 1961: Former Master Mechanic John Lawless passes

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 14, 1961: Captain James Campbell who served for 45 year dies

FF James Campbell

May 2, 1967: James Rafferty - Served PFD for 36 years

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

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.