The Hancock Family PFD Service
Three generations of Hancock's, Edward A, Edward H and Kevin have continuously served the Paterson Fire Department since February 16, 1918 - a century of duty. They have transcended horse pulled apparatus, steam fire engines, and everything else up to the present. Two of them were deputy chiefs. This historic run ended at 101 years with the retirement of Kevin Hancock on June 1, 2019.
Badge Number Intricacy: Upon appointment to PFD in 1918 Edward A. Hancock was issued Badge #19 . 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 has only ever appeared on a Hancock.
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Edward Aloysius Hancock appointed February 16, 1918 His initial assignment was at Engine Company 5 at 115 Van Houten Street (a motorized steamer). He was next assigned on May 4, 1923 to the shop which was also located at Van Houten Street. Ed became a Chief's Aide September 2, 1934. He passed away while still active on the job on September 3, 1956 |
Engine Company 5 Steamer circa 1918
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Edward A. Hancock
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1936 Ball Book: 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
Hancock Collection
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February 18, 1918 - Newspaper announcement of Hancock appointment to PFD
Ed Hancock was the brother in-law of John Hess, a WW-I Purple Heart recipient appointed in 1920 at Engine 8 and later became Captain at Engine 11. Ed's brother John was also awarded a Purple Heart during World War I. John Hess' brother Sam was also a Paterson firefighter, appointed in June 1928
1951: Photo of Edward J Hancock (at left) and his father Edward A Hancock (at right) at Fort Dix
One of the most beloved and respected Chief's Aide was Eddie "the Hat" Westhoven. The story, which involves Edward A. Hancock as told by Retired Assistant Chief Jospeh Forbes is below
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Eddie "The Hat" Westhoven
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September 3, 1956: Edward A. Hancock passes away (still on active duty)
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Edward Joseph Hancock was appointed February 1, 1954 and assigned Badge #53. At this time his father Edward A. was still on job. |
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1955 Paterson Evening News - Note that the two Ed Hancocks have different middle names and are thus not Sr. and Jr.
His initial assignment was Engine Company 5 at 115 Van Houten Street (a 1948 Mack Pumper) and in 1954 was on A shift.
When Tours began in September 1963 - he was on Tour 4
Promoted to Captain of Engine Company 1 on July 1, 1964 on Tour 4
Promoted to Deputy Chief September 1, 1972 (no Battalion Chief rank existed at that time)
Ultimately became Tour Commander on Tour 1
Retired March 1, 1991
Passed away on May 16, 2016
When Tours began in September 1963 - he was on Tour 4
Promoted to Captain of Engine Company 1 on July 1, 1964 on Tour 4
Promoted to Deputy Chief September 1, 1972 (no Battalion Chief rank existed at that time)
Ultimately became Tour Commander on Tour 1
Retired March 1, 1991
Passed away on May 16, 2016
FF Edward J Hancock at Engine 5 Mack in bay at Headquarters
Engine 5 1952 Mack in bay at Headquarters - FF Frank Malzon, Art Nardin, and Ed Hancock
E5 1948 Mack Pumper
Captain Hancock front row on right - Engine 1 had 1957 FWD Pumper
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DC Edward J. Hancock
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Captain Edward J. Hancock - Captain Engine Company 1
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Captain Edward Hancock of Engine Company 1 helmet from Hancock Collection
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Breast Badge while Captain of Engine Company 1
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Uniform Cap Badge while Captain of Engine Company 1
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Captain Ed Hancock - Engine 1
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Captain Ed J Hancock alongside Truck 2
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April 4, 195
1956: FMBA President Daniel Dowd (2nd from right) extends welcome to Ralph Flanagan, one of the Nation's top band leaders, at the 31st Annual Reception of the PFD. Also shown L-R: Joseph Leonard (Ball Chairman), Flanagan, Thomas Hannenberg (Ball Book Committee), Down and Edward Hancock (Secretary of Ball Committee). The affair was at the Meadowbrook in Cedar Grove,
Fire was June 4, 1964
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clips courtesy Don Giaquinto
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June 5 1964 Paterson Evening News
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Ed J Hancock 1promoted to captain July 1, 1964
Fire Commissioner Robert Moore, new Captain Hancock and Chief Harold Kane
December 1967 celebration (Promotion of Joe Forbes to Captain) at 115 Van Houten Street kitchen. L-R are Captain Ed Hancock, Commissioner Ed Englehardt, AC Wille Comer and DC George Findlow - Photo by Chief's Aide Joe McCabe
March 25, 1968 Paterson Evening News
~ 1968 Alongside Truck 2: Standing L-R: John DeMattia (E1), Captain James Kehoe (T2), Richard Hoffman (E1), Edward Zaretski (E5), Al Rusconi (E1), Alfred "Ollie" Gallagher (T2), Tommy Coppo (Squad 1), Joseph Forbes (Squad 1), AC Bill Comer. Front row: Howie Morcom (T2), Vic Diddio, Captain Ed Hancock (E1), Joseph Guerrieri (Squad 1)
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~ 1968 Tour 4 (E1, Left-right: Captain Edward Hancock (e1), FF Alfred "Ollie" Gallagher (T2), Captain James Kehoe (T2), FF Albert Rusconi (E1), FF John "Fat John" DeMattia (E1), Earl T Plavier (future BC), Thomas Coppo (Squad 1), James Krieger (citizen), Captain Joseph Forbes (Squad 1) and Assistant Chief William Comer (Tour Commander)
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Ed Hancock at FMBA picnic - Malzone photo
1972: Captain swearing in Ceremony Mayor Arthur Dwyer: Top row Bob Gabriel, Norman Morley, Dominic Cotroneo, Dennis Diguglielmo, Frank Giordino, Frank Crampton
2nd row John Elwood, Joe Pelligrino, Carl Larson, Jim Tasca, John Minardi
Bottom row Bill Shortway, Jack Gregg, Ed Hancock (being promoted to Deputy Chief) , John Mauro, Terry Pelligrino
DC Ed Hancock, Captain James "Walt" Burns, Captain Frank Malzone and FF Red Mosca
Painting by Captain Ed Conklin upon Ed Hancock's promotion to Deputy Chief
DC Ed Hancock and Chief William Comer (at Exempt Hall for retirement of Joe Parkin Sr.)
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1974 Frank Malzone dinner: Robert Gabriel, Earl H Plavier Ed Hancock. Right side: Wm. Savage, Ollie Gallagher & Mike Ross.
Same FF in this photo except at right front is Chief's Aide Joe McCabe
FMBA Jersey of Ed J Hancock
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December 3, 1971 News courtesy Dennis Morrison
February 3 Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
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March 1991: retirement luncheon for DC Ed Hancock at Madison Avenue Firehouse
Ed Hancock with then FF son Kevin
AC Joe Forbes and DC Ed Hancock
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AC Charles Walker, BC Tommy Coppo and DC Ed Hancock
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ED Hancock with BC Ollie Gallagher
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Truck 1 in rear: L-R: Steve Morley, Captain Rich Warner, Tom Hirz, Captain Ave Fernandez, Captain Nate Salmanowitz and John Ferrarella
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At rear Chief John Mauro, AC Joe Forbes, BC George Asbaty, BC Tommy Coppo, AC Charles Walker, Captain Nate Salmanowitz - Standing Chief Comer, Rich Tullo, BC Bill McCabe
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Front: Bobby McAllister, Fat John Mattia - Rear table: Tommy Coppo &n Steve Morley and BC Bill McCabe standing
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McAllister shoulder at left - Rich Tullo, Jack Gregg, AC Milt Katz, BC George Asbaty, George Duin
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AC Joe Forbes, BC George Asbaty, Chief Comer, BC Tommy Coppo, Bobby McAllister and Mayor Pascrell
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DC Dennis DiGuglielmo, BC Jim Davidson, DC Joe Pellegrino, DC Hancock, AC Katz, Chief Comer, Bobby McAlister, DC Norman Morley - Engine 1 and Truck 1 in background
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BC Tommy Coppo, ?, BC Bill McCabe, BC James Pasquariello, AC Joe Forbes, DC Dennis DiGuglielmo, DC Normal Morley and ?
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DC Norman Morley, DC Joe Pellegrino, BC Jim Davidson, DC Dennis DiGuglielmo
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Rich Tullo, BC Tommy Coppo, Brian Burns, DC Jack Gregg, Captain Bob Myers
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DC Ed Hancock, Chief Bill Comer, DC Dennis DiGuglielmo
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Ed Hancock with Mayor Bill Pascrell
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Chief John Mauro & DC Hancock
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Chief Hancock with Elmo
May 16, 2017 - Passing of Edward J Hancock
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Kevin Robert Hancock was appointed to Paterson Police Department April 1, 1985 and transferred with a provisional appointment to the Fire Department April 11, 1989: permanently on May 15, 1989 (his father Edward J. was still active on the job as a DC). Initially assigned to Engine 6 Tour 2 July 24, 1995 Truck 3 Tour 2 January 20, 1996 Engine 8 Tour 2 March 15, 1996 promoted to Captain March 16, 1996 Engine 7 Tour 2 April 30, 1997 Floating Captain Tour 2 February 25, 1998 Engine 8 Tour 2 June 22, 1999 Engine 7 Tour 3 September 4, 1999 Floating Captain Tour 3 July 12, 2000 promoted to Battalion Chief July 13, 2000 assigned to Battalion 1, Tour 3 November 1, 2002 Battalion 1 Tour 1 March 24, 2003 promoted to Deputy Chief March 25, 2003 Tour Commander Tour 1 May 1, 2005 Chief of Operations and Training March 23, 2008 Tour Commander Tour 2 October 27, 2008 Chief of Operations and Training June 1, 2019 Retired 
DC photo
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20 year old Paterson Policeman
FF photo
BC photo
2005 Ball Book
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circa 1968 - Engine 1 FWD at 115 Van Houten Street Headquarters - Ed (at left) and Kevin (at right) Hancock
Engine 6 1989 E-ONE when K Hancock was appointed
Jacob Rozell, Captain Kevin Hancock, Kenneth West & Gabriel Aboyoun of E7
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Rookie Kevin Hancock and Captain Scott Macgilvray on E-6 in 1989
Engine 7 - L-R: Jake Rozell, Captain Kevin Hancock, Gabe Aboyoun Art Reda, and Joe Statuto
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July 1990 N1st St General Alarm - Captain John Quant at left and FF Kevin Hancock at right
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B/C K Hancock & D/C James Tasca
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March 24, 2003: Deputy Chief Promotion Ceremony. L-R Chief James Pasquariello, Mayor Torres, and new DCs Scott MacGilvray, John Duffy, Michael Postorino, Kevin Hancock with his mother (Josephine) and father (retired DC Edward Hancock)
Kevin Hancock Helmet 2016
K Hancock's Original FF Badge
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Later received the badge # worn by father and gradfather
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Kevin Hancock Captain Badge
Kevin Hancock Deputy Chief Badge
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Kevin Hancock Battalion Chief
Retirement Badge - June 1, 2019
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September 11, 2001: PFD provided mutual aid to FDNY.
BC Kevin Hancock is in white helmet
September 11, 2016 - Memorial Service BC John Hensz, DC Kevin Hancock, Captain Scott Parkin of the Honr Guard
BC John Hensz, DC Kevin Hancock, Captain Scott Parkin 9_11_2016
June 30, 2017: Hancock Family Dedication Plaque for Engine 1
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.
DC Kevin Hancock with Engine 1 Plaque
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December 2018
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Madison Avenue Firehouse: Engine1, Ladder 1 - Tour 3 - L-R are FF Matt McLaughlin, FF Jim Bradley, FF Walter Tovar, Captain Craig Bland, Captain Matt Ganci, DC Kevin Hancock, FF Reggie Reams, FF Zach Panzarella, FF Isaac Rivera, FF Brian Pricken
Plaque affixed to Engine 1 apparatus
June 2017: Congressional recognition
May 2018: FMBA Bulletin
December 27, 2018: DC Hancock at McBride Avenue Headquarters
Tour Commander December 27, 2018
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DC- Director of Operations at Headquarters
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2019 Retirement of FF Luis Vega - L-R are Chief Brian McDermott, FF Vega, DC Ryan Murray and DC Kevin Hancock
April 4, 2019: Last day at PFD for DC Hancock - retirement will be June 1, 2019
1st Responder News - May 2019
A: DC Kevin Hancock, B: Chief Brian McDermott: (1) PPD Lt. Sean MacGivor, (2) FF Herman Irving, (3) Captain Mike Trommelen(4) Little Falls Chief Jack Sweezy, (5) Ret DC Ed McLaughlin, (6) Ret Captain Joseph Statuto, (7) Ret FF Tyrone Smith, (8) Ret Captain Brian Burns, (9) Ret FF James Hughes, (10) FF Matt McLaughlin, (11) Ret PFD EMT & PPD Lt. Don Giaquinto, (12) Acting BC Lamar Colclough, (13) Ret DC Richard Hodemaker, (14) Captain Carlos Abreu, (15) Ret EMS Supervisor Mary Tiritilli, (16)(17) DC William Henderson, (18) Ret BC Dave Alexander, (19) Ret DC Bruce Vander Voort, (20) ?, (21) FF Nick Perez, (22) Ret BC Michael D’Arco, (23) Ret. BC Tom Behnke, (24) Ret Chief John Mauro, (25) Ret DC Norman Morley, (26) ?, (27), (28) Ret. DC Joseph A. Murray, (29) Ret DC James Tasca, (30) ?, (31) ?, (32) Ret Chief Michael Postorino, (33) City Council President Maritza Davilla, (34) Ret Captain Mike Vonegosh, (35) ?
(36) ?, (37) Director Jerry Speziale, (38) ?, (39) FF John Forbes, (40) Captain Dante Destefano, (41) ?, (42) Ret Chief James Pasquariello,
(43) Ret DC Marty Krupinski, (44) BC Matt Hyman, (45) Capt. John Botero, (46) NJ FMBA President Ed Donnely, (47) DC Mike Fleming ?, (48) PFA President Kyle Hughes, (49) Ret Assistant Chief Joseph Forbes, (50) Acting BC Jason Macones, (51) Ret Captain Kevin Mosca,
(52) Ret Captain Sean Burns, (53) Ret Captain Greg Lisowski, (54) ?, (55) Newark FD Executive Officer DC Richie Gail,
(56) Ret Passaic Captain James Bonelli, (57) ?, (58) Ret FF Fernando Rodriquez, (59) Ret FDNY FF Chris Mandeville (*Fire Academy Instructor), (60) Ret Captain Vince Zito, (61) Captain Elizabeth Fournier, (62) Ret BC Tommy Alala, (63) Captain Kenny Keifer
(36) ?, (37) Director Jerry Speziale, (38) ?, (39) FF John Forbes, (40) Captain Dante Destefano, (41) ?, (42) Ret Chief James Pasquariello,
(43) Ret DC Marty Krupinski, (44) BC Matt Hyman, (45) Capt. John Botero, (46) NJ FMBA President Ed Donnely, (47) DC Mike Fleming ?, (48) PFA President Kyle Hughes, (49) Ret Assistant Chief Joseph Forbes, (50) Acting BC Jason Macones, (51) Ret Captain Kevin Mosca,
(52) Ret Captain Sean Burns, (53) Ret Captain Greg Lisowski, (54) ?, (55) Newark FD Executive Officer DC Richie Gail,
(56) Ret Passaic Captain James Bonelli, (57) ?, (58) Ret FF Fernando Rodriquez, (59) Ret FDNY FF Chris Mandeville (*Fire Academy Instructor), (60) Ret Captain Vince Zito, (61) Captain Elizabeth Fournier, (62) Ret BC Tommy Alala, (63) Captain Kenny Keifer
Last radio check
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Ret Capt. Mike Barr, DC Hancock, Ret DC Marty Krupinski, Ret Capt Greg Lisowski
with Ret. DC Norman Morley
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Ret DC James Tasca who was a major mentor when Kevin became an acting BC and then BC. Tasca was the initial PFD Commanding Officer at Ground Zero on 9/11
FMBA President Ed Donnelly, Tet. Chief John Mauro, Ret. Chief of James Pasquariello, B McDermott, PFA President FF K Hughes, DC Fleming, Ret. Chief Michael Postorino
with FF Herman Irving
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Marty Krupinski, Ret Capt Javier Tovar, DC Hancock, chief John Mauro, Chief Brian J. McDermott
Chief John Mauro, Hancock, PPD Chief Troy Oswalt, Mayors office staff, Alana Onorato
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with Ret Captain Vito Mangini
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FF Gabe Critchlow
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Council President Maritza Davilla
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with Captain Fournier
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May 31, 2019: Retirement Ceremony at Fireman's Hall
Retiring Deputy Chiefs Mike Fleming, Kevin Hancock and William Henderson
Retired FF Eddie James was the senior FF on Engine 6 and a major mentor when Hancock was a rookie
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Long time brothers! The Chief (Brian McDermott) on right and the Chief of Operations (Hancock) on left
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Click video link below for Chief's short but sweet retirement words
June 2, 2019: At the Annual Memorial Service at McBride Avenue Headquarters, PFD honored retired DC Kevin Hancock and others for their efforts in documenting Paterson's FF LODDs resulting in their listing at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial in Emmitsburg, MD.
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Chief McDermott, honorary BC Thomas Dayspring, DC Hancock & Jim Eifler
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