Paterson Firemen Stories
Kerrigan's Komments "Paterson's Pride" 1921 Ball Book
The following words were written by journalist T. A. Kerrigan and was reproduced in the 1921 Fireman's Mutual Benevolent Association Souvenir Edition (Ball Book).
Every town has certain features, or perhaps some famous creatures they can point to with a show of civic pride. But in truth of my contention I don't hesitate to mention that our own town has all others set aside. We've a feature we can boast of, and which we should think the most of, as the greatness of their task we recognize. It's the gallant lads who labor to redeem a stricken neighbor, though oft times it means a human sacrifice. Did you ever think, while gazing at a building fiercely blazing of the danger that confronts those lads in blue? As you watch them nimbly working, caring not, though dangers lurking, don't a thrill of admiration pierce you through? Whether sun be shining, or wintry winds are whining, nothing matters when the bells of duty toll. Every man, alert and waiting, dons his garb unhesitating, and the cause of human justice is his goal. Always pleasant when you meet them, always glad to have you greet them, we have reason to be proud of such as these. Who work only to protect us, and in danger to direct us, and to guide the ship of life in safer seas. And if we would compensate them, in the high terms that we rate them. you'll agree with me I'm sure 'tis only fair. When the fire gong's toll we reckon for the men who have to beckon, we should in our hearts, recite a humble prayer.
Every town has certain features, or perhaps some famous creatures they can point to with a show of civic pride. But in truth of my contention I don't hesitate to mention that our own town has all others set aside. We've a feature we can boast of, and which we should think the most of, as the greatness of their task we recognize. It's the gallant lads who labor to redeem a stricken neighbor, though oft times it means a human sacrifice. Did you ever think, while gazing at a building fiercely blazing of the danger that confronts those lads in blue? As you watch them nimbly working, caring not, though dangers lurking, don't a thrill of admiration pierce you through? Whether sun be shining, or wintry winds are whining, nothing matters when the bells of duty toll. Every man, alert and waiting, dons his garb unhesitating, and the cause of human justice is his goal. Always pleasant when you meet them, always glad to have you greet them, we have reason to be proud of such as these. Who work only to protect us, and in danger to direct us, and to guide the ship of life in safer seas. And if we would compensate them, in the high terms that we rate them. you'll agree with me I'm sure 'tis only fair. When the fire gong's toll we reckon for the men who have to beckon, we should in our hearts, recite a humble prayer.
March 18, 1899: FF John J Crowley helps NYFD
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
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The Simontons
Two of the most famed Captains in PFD history were the Simonton brothers Sam (appointed 1893) and Charles (appointed 1894) - Ultimately, they retired within a month of one another. They both fought at the great 1902 Paterson fire.
Samuel Simonton
1911 Paterson Evening News
Captain Sam Simonton sitting at left at E6 476 Market Street FH (1909)
1925
1953 FMBA picnic - L-R: Sam Simonton, Ret Chief Thomas Coyle, MM John Lawless, then BC Joseph Dayspring
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Samuel Simonton was an early member of the paid Paterson Fire Department and served 36 years before retiring in 1926. He saw duty at Engines 2, 6, 10 and 3. He became a captain on November 6, 1899 and was appointed Drillmaster in 1916. He was the Captain of Engine Company 6 during the Great 1902 Conflagration. He served in Paterson's Auxiliary Fire Brigade during WWII. His 1925 retirement and 1959 obituary are below
Captain Sam Simonton Engine 3, 1913 Chronicle
Captain Sam Simonton with trumpet and Harry B Haines publisher of Paterson Evening News
September 25, 1959
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Charles Simonton
Charles Simonton Engine 6 in 1913
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Charles Simonton
Captain C Simonton at Chemical 1
~ 1916 Captain Charles Simonton is first at left (Engine 6)
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October 18, 1910
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Dual Retirement of Simonton Brothers
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Further Adventures of Captain Charles Simonton
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October 25, 1959: Passing of Sam Simonton
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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The Sweeney's
The first and third deputy chiefs of the PFD were a father and son. The second was Ernest Fields. Tragically James, along with the Captain and 3 firefighters of Engine Company 5, made the Supreme Sacrifice at the Quackenbush Warehouse fire in March of 1938.
April 4, 1908
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July 1, 1912 News clip - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Patrick Sweeney - Captain Engine Co 4
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Patrick Sweeney
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
Courtesy Jim Eifler
Courtesy Jim Eifler
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
June 17, 1912: Upon retirement DC Sweeney wants to purchase his long time horse
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March 16, 1920: Death of Deputy Chief Sweeney
March 17 Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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James P. Sweeney
1935 10th Annual Ball Firemen's Booster -- Dayspring Collection
James Sweeney
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Engine Co 4 circa 1910-12: John Heinzelman, Corneilus "Neil" Kennedy, John Eagan and Bill Smith
Engine 4 at Slater Street Firehouse
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September 1, 1915 - Sweeney marraige
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Paterson Press - Courtesy Jim Eifler
1937 FMBA Ball Book
Assistant Chief John Gillmore
When the Paterson Fire department was transformed from a volunteer into a paid department in March of 1890, John F. Murphy who was the Assistant Chief of the volunteers kept that position. John Gilmore was appointed as another. Murphy's tenure as an assistant chief was short-lived as Chief Turnbull resigned in May 1890 and Murphy was appointed as acting Chief. John Struck transiently filled Murphy's spot as an assistant chief.
John Gillmore as Foreman of Vigilant Engine 6 of the Volunteer Department
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Assistant Chief James Gillmore
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June 10, 1912:
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June 11, 1912:
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 12, 1912: News article on upcoming July 1 retirement of Assistant Chief Gilmore
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
Courtesy Jim Eifler
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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October 3, 1922: Paterson Chronicle covered many routine PFD items including standard retirements in the days before radio, TV, Internet, Twitter!
Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Frank Shane - from a 1908 Engine 7 photo
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October 25, 1912: Newspapers of the day reported PFD illness reports
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
June 16, 1915: Captain John Weber celebrates 30th year PFD anniversary - is the senior FF in department
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 23, 1929: Incident with off-duty FF
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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FF Basil Brosnan
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September 14, 1929: Fire & Police Commission have accolades for retiring Captains: Patrick Kearney and John Breen
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 9, 1932 - November 20, 1945: Fire Surgeon Dr Harry Briody
1946 FMBA Ball Book
November 20, 1953: The Peppinghaus Brothers
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
March 23, 1967 - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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March 23, 1955: Celebrating 35 Years of Service: Captain John Hess, of Engine 8 and FF Hubert O'Connor of the Fire Alarm Office. Both were WWI veterans and Hess, a sergeant, was awarded a Purple Heart.
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Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Captain Hess
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FF O'Connor
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The Hancock's Century of Service
Three generations of Hancock's have continuously served the Paterson Fire Department since February 16, 1918 - a century of service. They have transcended horse pulled apparatus, steam fire engines, and everything up to the present. Two, Edward J. and Kevin have been (are) deputy chiefs. This historic run ended at 101 years with the retirement of Kevin Hancock on June 1, 2019.
Chief's Aide Edward A.
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Deputy Chief Edward J.
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Deputy Chief Kevin R.
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Edward A. Hancock appointed February 16, 1918 - Engine Company 5
Edward J. Hancock appointed February 1, 1954 - Engine Company 5
Kevin R. Hancock appointed May 15, 1989 - Engine Company 6
Engine Company 5 Steamer
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Engine 5 Mack Pumper
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Engine 6 1989 E-One
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1936: L-R: A Shift Battalion Chief Charles Nolan, Deputy Chief Michael Comer, and chiefs aide John Murphy, James Smith, and Edward Hancock outside of Van Houten Street firehouse
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Captain Hancock front row on right - Engine 1 had 1957 FWD Pumper
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Jacob Rozell, Captain Kevin Hancock, Kenneth West & Gabriel Aboyoun of E7
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Badge Number Intricacy: Edward A. Hancock was issued Badge #19 upon appointment to PFD in 1918. When Edward J. Hancock was appointed in 1954, he was assigned Badge #53. After the death of Edward A. in 1956 (still on job when he passed), Edward J. was issued his father's Badge #19. When Kevin R. Hancock was appointed in 1989 he received badge #51. Finally, sometime after Edward J. retired in 1991, badge # 19 was transferred to Kevin R. Amazingly for the last century, Badge # 19 only ever appeared on a Hancock.
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Hancock Collection
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June 30, 2017: Hancock Family Dedication Plaque for Engine 1 (at fire headquarters ceremony)
L-R: Mayor Torres, Chief Postorino, BC Charles Onorato, DC Kevin Hancock, his wife Pat, his son Officer Kevin S. Hancock of the Port Authority Police Department. Behind Pat is DC Hancock's brother Edward. Not seen behind Officer Hancock is DC Hancock's Aunt Pat.
Plaque on Engine 1
Civil Service Law
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December 22, 1912: Civil Service Law becomes operative.
March 29, 1913: 8 FF were the first to pass a civil service test. 26 of 36 men who took the exam failed. October 13, 1913: Frank Dowdall and William Walsh became the first two firemen appointed under the new law. 26 of the 36 men who took the exam failed. |
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Gustave Vineis was appointed December 16, 1913, Richard Hickerson Hickerson March 1, 1914, William Dale and Frederick Haycock on April 1, 1914, John Lawless on June 1, 1914 and Henry Westphal on July 16, 1914. For their photos CLICK HERE
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Frank Dowdall had a long career:
October 1, 1913; assigned to Engine Company 1 June 16, 1920: appointed as Chief's aide to Chief Thomas Coyle May 16, 1926: appointed Captain of Truck Company 1 "A" shift June 14, 1939: assigned as acting Battalion Chief of "A" shift July 1, 1940: Re-assigned as Captain of Truck Company 1 "A" shift June 14, 1945: Assigned as acting Battalion Chief of "A" shift |
1935: Men of Truck Company 1 A Shift:Â Captain Frank Dowdwell, E McEwan, F Dalton, P Shaw, Arsene Nunnick, F Brocco, J Kehoe
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May 17, 1948: Promoted to Director of Combustible Bureau January 1, 1950: Promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief, in charge of Combustible Bureau |
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Captain Dowdall on right
January 1, 1955: Retired
May 7, 1972: died
May 7, 1972: died
Appointment Process 1925
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April 1925: Appointment Record of Edward A Cusack, son of famed Captain Edward Cusack Sr (an original 1890 appointment to PFD and long time Captain of Truck Company 1. Prior to appointment, firefighters had to post a bond to the city. Photo at right is ~1953 while serving in Fire Alarm
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Edward A Cusack
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Signed by long-term Police and Fire Commission clerk Meyer Jaffe
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Combustibles Bureau
1957: Deputy Chief Solomon Reines doing a presentation during Fire prevention Week
Courtesy of Richard Reines
Living out of town issues
April 1964: Residency laws were enforced
Henry Otis Harris
January 1, 1960 - April 1, 1988: The first African American fireman hired by the Paterson Fire Department He was assigned first to the FAO and then to Engine Company 5. He saw service at Engine 3, 13 and as a chief's aide.
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With members of Engine Company 5 at 115 Van Houten Street in 1967
Apparatus Dedication Plaque
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Engine 13 at Park Ave & E 27th St. L-R Henry Otis Harris, Captain Joe Pelligrino, Charley Walker (son) - Park Ave & East 27th Street Fire
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Henry made cover of Fire Engineering Magazine - Franklin Street fire 1963- Henry is at right - in center is Captain Charles S Walker and at left FF Tommy Alala
Dayspring Collection
The Saga of King Gambrinus
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King Gambrinus was the Flemish King who supposedly invented beer. Of course Paterson had numerous breweries during the 19th and 20th century, one of which established in 1876 was Sprattler and Mennel located at 250 Marshall Street. A very large Statue of the King stood atop the factory until it disappeared in 1967 long after the brewery closed. It's absence was quickly noted and in the newspaper article the building caretaker surmised that PFD using the Snorkel apparatus likely took it down. Chief Kane when contacted by reporters was flabbergasted and issued a denial.
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Chief Harold Kane
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The hoax is solved!
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Fire Chief's Progeny
February 26, 1968: New born baby (David Scott Carroll) has two PFD Assistant Chiefs as Grandfathers: Dan Carroll and Ted Tice -
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Fire Department Answers Charges
~ Late 1970s:
Haycock Collection
Chief Pasquariello as Rocky Balboa
At an FMBA Ball James Pasquariello played the role of "Rocky" in a video spoof of the famous movie. Below is a picture of the chief signed by Sylvester Stallone. Fireman Pasquariello later went on to become Chief Engineer of the department.
The "Rocky" video staff
The Salmanowitz Brothers
Four brothers, Donald, Robert, Nathan (Nate) and Arthur were Paterson Firemen. There father was an auxiliary fireman during WWII. The house they grew up in was located right next to Truck Company 1 quarters at 72 Jackson Street.
Nathan "Nate" Salmanowitz
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Donald Salmanowitz (as a firefighter)
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Arthur Salmanowitz
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Robert Salmanowitz
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December 1, 1963
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December 1, 1963
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R Salmanowitz/ Natoli Collection
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PFD Relatives in 1955
March 22, 1955 - Paterson Evening News
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March 2, 1955: The following photo accompanied the abovew newspaper article highlighting 9 sets of PFD brothers. Front row L-R: William Flynn E3 appointed 1922, Captain Ray Flynn of Fire Alarm 1926; Battalion chief George (1939) and Battalion chief Rudolph Peppinghaus (1928); Battalion chief Daniel Carroll (1942) and Master Mechanic John Carroll (1936); Middle Row L-R: Captain Phil Hartley (1918) and Paul Hartly of E2 (1921); Fred Ricciardi of E1 (1949) and Nicholas Ricciardi of E12 (1942); Ray Carr chiefs aide (1942) and Frank Carr of E6 (1948); Top Row L-R: Donald of E12 (1954) and Nathan Salmanowitz of E1 (1951); William of E12 (1949) and Alfred Gallagher of T2 (1954); Eugene of E10 (1947) and Wilbur Mariani of E10 (1947).
1953 Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
The Flynn's
August 18, 1960 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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William L Flynn
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Ray Flynn
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William M Flynn
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PFD Talent
1951: "5 Caps and a Bottle" -- Captains Joe Nardella, Meyer Cohen, Sal Madama, Thomas Schofield, Ray Thompson & firefighter Louis Rotella
June 26,1952: The 4 Alarmers - (L-R): Captain Sal Madama, Ed Ristan, George Findlow, Ernest Biggs appear on "Straw Hatters" TV show
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
The 4 Alarmers Ed Ristan, Captain Sal Madama, George Findlow, Ernest Biggs
It was very common for firemen to fix toys for donation to needy children
December 14, 1939 - Morning Call Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Ferdinand Miller of Engine 10
Men of Truck 3 on Godwin Ave: Front to back Tommy Ingram, Ray Flynn, Angelo Contini
Mid 1950s: Seated below L-R: Joe Leonard, BC Joseph Bray, & John Palonis. Standing L-R: William Bradley, William Casperson, Tommy Ottavino, Captain Michael Fleming and Ed Hancock.
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Late 1950s: Painting of Captain Joe Bauer's house. When the captain developed a brain tumor and became disabled his fellow firefighters gathered together and painted his house located at northwest corner of North 9th Street and Haledon Avenue
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1960 Chief Engineer Selection
After the sudden death of Chief Hobart Strathearn in 1959 Chief Harold Kane
was appointed as the new chief in a controversial and disputed process. For an in-depth discussion of the events please click here.
was appointed as the new chief in a controversial and disputed process. For an in-depth discussion of the events please click here.
September 26, 1972: Then Captain John Elwood (future B/C) rides bicycle to work
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 7, 1985: Retired FF Joe Mendillo wins NJ Lottery
Paterson News courtesy Dennis Mortrison
June 1992: Poetic tribute from Captain Edward Conklin to fellow FF Russ Ferguson who passed away prematurely.
Xmas PFD & PPD R-L are FF Chick Mandara, Andy Babyak, Red Mosca
December 2014: Paterson Firefighters Association
November 2016: Food drive
December 2016
Not sure of the order but the picture includes Kyle Hughes, J Perez, Jim Lucci, Andrew Estrella and Christopher Dance
May 2018: Firefighter Isaac Feliciano story From www.jerseyfirefighters.com 2012
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{Paterson news clip form December 12, 1975 fire in his home
June 30, 2018: 1st Annual Kerry "Spider" Rivera Bike Ride. There was also planting of a Memorial Tree this year at the rear of Fire Headquarters - Click individual photos to Enlarge and see identifications.
October 23, 2018: Pink Heals Bergen County came to Fire Headquarters to thanks PFD for supporting their Cancer drives. Click individual photos to Enlarge and see identifications. The apparatus, now painted pink, is a former PFD RD Murray 1500 GPM pumper from mid 1990s
