PATERSON FIRE HISTORY
  • HOME
  • OVERVIEW
    • FIRST CENTURY
    • EVENTS 1890-1894
    • EVENTS 1895-1899
    • EVENTS 1900-1910
    • EVENTS 1911-1919
    • EVENTS 1920-1939
    • EVENTS 1940-1959
    • EVENTS 1960-1979
    • EVENTS 1980-1999
    • EVENTS 2000-2019
    • EVENTS 2020-2023
  • FIREFIGHTERS
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS
    • ASSISTANT CHIEFS
    • DEPUTY CHIEFS
    • BATTALION CHIEFS
    • CHIEF GIGS
  • THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
    • MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • OBITUARIES / DEATHS
    • 1889-1919 DEATHS
    • 1920-1939 DEATHS
    • 1940-1959 DEATHS
    • 1960-1969 DEATHS
    • 1970-1979 DEATHS
    • 1980-1999 DEATHS
    • 2000-2009 DEATHS
    • 2010 AND LATER
  • NOTABLE FIREFIGHTERS
    • CALAMITA FAMILY
    • CAPTAIN JOHN WEBER
    • CUSACK FAMILY
    • FLEMING FAMILY
    • GERARD DUGAN
    • HANCOCK FAMILY
    • HENRY OTIS HARRIS
    • ISAAC FELICIANO
    • JOHN GILMORE
    • JOSEPH DAYSPRING
    • KEARNEY-FAMILY
    • MARIANI FAMILY
    • McLAUGHLIN FAMILY
    • SALMANOWITZ BROTHERS
    • THE SIMONTONS
    • THE SWEENEYS
    • TICE FAMILY
  • NOTABLE FIRES/INCIDENTS
  • SPECIAL OP EVENTS
  • TAKING THE HEAT BOOK
  • HISTORICAL REVIEWS
  • 1907 GUARDIAN
  • 1936 HEARD & SEEN COLUMN
  • FIREHOUSE PHOTOS / FACTS
  • COMPANY & FH HISTORY
  • SPECIAL OPERATIONS
  • EMS
    • EMS ROSTER
  • COMMUNICATIONS / FA
    • FIRE BOX LISTS
    • FIRE BOXES & STANCHIONS
    • EVRS STATION LIST
  • FIRE VIDEOS 1991-2011
  • FIRE VIDEOS 2014-2022
  • DOCUDRAMAS
  • APPARATUS
  • APPARATUS VIDEOS
  • NOTABLE EVENTS INDEX
    • PFD STORIES
    • APPARATUS NOTABLES
    • APPTS & PROMOTIONS
    • AWARDS
    • 1960 CHIEF SELECTION
    • GRAND STREET RIOT 1917
    • GROUND ZERO
    • MILITARY
    • PARADES PAID DEPT
    • RED MASS
    • RESCUES
    • RETIREMENTS
    • SISTER LORETTA
    • SPORTS
    • THEATRE DETAIL
  • MEMORABILIA
  • PATCHES DECALS LOGOS SHIRTS
  • WALLPAPER
  • DEPARTMENT PETS
  • TRAINING
  • VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
    • 1821 - 1854 HISTORY
    • 1815-1890 VOLUNTEER HISTORY
    • 1888 HISTORICAL SUMMARY
    • LOOKING BACKWARDS
    • VOLUNTEER PARADES
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • VOLUNTEER CHIEFS >
      • CHIEF ELECTIONS
      • CHIEF BIOS
    • VOLUNTEER PROFILES
    • ANDREW MOSER
    • ENGINE CO APPARATUS LIST
    • OLD GOOSENECK
    • JEFFERS STEAMER
    • VOLUNTEER COMPANIES
  • AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
  • EXEMPT ASSOCIATION
    • EXEMPT 1892 BALL
    • EXEMPT BY-LAWS 1902
  • EXEMPT HOME & RELICS
  • FMBA / PFA
    • FMBA BY-LAWS
    • FMBA 1949 FOLLIES
    • FMBA VIDEOS
  • BALLBOOKS
    • 1909 BALL BOOK
    • 1916 BALL BOOK
    • 1918 BALL BOOK
    • 1921 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1923 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1928 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1935 PFD BOOSTER
    • 1936 JANUARY PICTORIAL
    • 1936 DECEMBER PICTORIAL
    • 1937 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1938 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1939 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1941 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1942 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1943 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1944 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1945 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1946 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1947 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1948 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1949 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1950 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1951 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1952 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1953 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1954 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1955 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1956 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1957 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1958 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1959 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1960 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1961 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1962 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1963 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1964 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1965 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1966 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1967 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1968 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1969 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1970 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1971 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1972 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1973 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1975 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1976 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1977 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1979 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1980 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1981 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1982 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1983 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1984 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1985 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1986 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1987 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1988 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1989 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1990 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1991 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1992 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1993 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1994 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1995 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1996 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1997 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1998 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1999 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2000 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2001 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2002 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2003 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2004 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2005 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2010 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2011 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2014 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2016 ANNUAL BALL
  • ANNUAL REPORTS
  • PFH CONTRIBUTORS
  • ORAL HISTORY
  • STATISTICS
  • CONTACT
  • CITY OF PATERSON

Kearney- Onorato

Kearney and Onorato Family

The name Kearney usually relates to an Irish pedigree and the name Hibernia refers to Ireland. Irishmen have a long and distinguished history in Paterson and made up a large part of the silk mill and locomotive workforce, many residing in the Dublin section. The Volunteer Fire Department's Jackson Engine Company 4 (organized in 1855 with a foreman named James McKiernan) and Hibernia Hose Company 3 (organized 1869 with a foreman named James Fanning) were made up largely of Irishmen and were both located in the firehouse on Slater Street (between Mill and Jersey Streets).
​ 
The Paterson Volunteer Department had 2 firefighters named Kearney (James and Joseph), who were father and son. James became an Assistant Chief and later the Chief Engineer. Joseph. a firefighter in the Volunteer department became one of the original captains in the partially paid department in 1890.  Two other Kearney's, a very common name in  Paterson's Irish community, later became Paterson firefighters;  Patrick (appointed in 1901 who became a Captain) and Philip (appointed in 1902). Philip Kearney was the great grandfather of a Paterson firefighter (Charles Onorato) appointed in 1991.  It is not definitively known what the relationship of two earlier Kearney's (James and Joseph) were to Patrick and Philip but no definitive first degree relationship links have been found. Likewise there is no evidence linking Patrick and Philip as siblings. Philip was the grandfather of BC Charles Onorato's mother Alana and thus the he great grandfather of Charles Onorato and . 
Paterson Volunteer Department
James A Kearney born in1850 in Ireland and after immigrating to Paterson became member of Eagle Hook and Ladder Company 1, at 72 Jackson Street.  He became Assistant Chief Engineer in 1880 and Chief Engineer in 1885. He did not serve in the paid department (established 1890). James occupation is listed in the Volunteer records and 1880 census as a plumber. He died August 26, 1917.
​James resided at 26 Jackson Street with several other Kearney's including ​his brother Joseph who also served at Eagle Hook and Ladder 1 and later in PFD paid department. His brother Charles later served on Paterson Police
Father: James
Mother: Ann
Sister: Ann
Brother: Joseph - served in PFD

Bros: Charles - later served at PPD
​Brother Nicholas died 1874 
2 sister in-laws + nieces & nephews 
Picture
Picture
Picture
January 17, 1886 - Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
Picture
August 27, 1917:   Funeral news-clip
Picture
Picture
Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Partially Paid Paterson Fire Department
Joseph Kearney was born in Ireland in 1852 and was the brother of PFD Volunteer Chief James Kearney (seen and discussed above). He was raised with his father James and mother Ann, and other relatives in the home at 26 Jackson Street (see list above). Joseph served at Eagle Hook and Ladder Company 1 of the Paterson Volunteer Department at their quarters located at 72 Jackson Street.

When PFD became partially paid, Joseph, no doubt based on his years of service to the Volunteer Department became the initial Captain of Truck Company No. 1 when he was appointed on March 20 1890  (never served as a firefighter in the paid PFD). He was assigned Badge 109. He died prematurely (age 47) on May 31, 1900.   His occupation was listed in the Volunteer records and 1880 census as a boilermaker. 
Picture
Captain Joseph Kearney
Picture
Captain Joseph Kearney
Fully Paid Paterson Fire Department
Joseph Kearney remained as Captain of Truck 1 when the paid department was established November 15, 1895. He received badge # 110   (photo is above). Historically he was the first Truck 1 Captain of the fully paid PFD. 

August 30, 1899: Captain Kearney stricken
Picture
Paterson Daily Press

​September 2, 1899:
Not much info, but apparently an illness occurred
Picture
1899 News Report - Morning Call Courtesy Jim Eifler

​May 31, 1900:
Sudden death of Captain Joseph Kearney of Truck 1
Picture
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
Picture

Picture
May 31 Paterson News
Picture
May 31 Paterson Daily Press
Picture
June 2 Paterson Daily Press

June 2, 1900: a May 31 resolution of the PFD Officers Association on death of Captain Kearney on May 31, 1899 (age 47)
Picture
June 2, 1900 Morning Call - courtesy Jim Eifler
Picture
June 4, 1900 - Morning Call - Courtesy Jim Eifer
Patrick "Paddy" Kearney was born in 1870. In the 1901 city directory he was listed as a saloon keeper at 220 Slater Street (note in clip below it states he never touched a drop). He was appointed August 18, 1901 to replace FF John Lair who was a LODD.  In the 1904 Paterson City Directory he was listed as a fireman living at 31 Elizabeth Street. He became a lieutenant at Engine 7 on July 17, 1905 and later a Captain at Engine 7. He retired September 1, 1929. 
​
Picture
Paterson News - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
In the 1910 Census: Patrick was listed 40 years old.  His birthplace was New Jersey and he resided at that time on Madison Ave. His wife's name was Abbie Kearney and his father's and his mother's birthplace was listed as Ireland and Wales respectively. His occupation was listed as a fireman and no children were listed as living with him in 1910. 
Picture
Lieutenant cap
Picture
Lieutenant Patrick Kearney - at Engine 7
Picture
Lieutenant at Engine 7 on Gould Avenue
Picture
Lieutenant Kearney is second from left - Engine 7 hose wagon at Gould Avenue
Picture
Lieutenant Kearney is at far right - Engine 7 on Gould Avenue
August 14, 1929: Captain Patrick of Engine 7 Kearney is granted his pension
Picture
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
September 14, 1929: Fire & Police Commission honor retiring FF Patrick Kearney ​
Picture
Picture
October 14, 1947: Captain Kearney dies
Picture
October 15 Paterson News
Picture
November 18, 1947: Mrs Patrick Kearney added to pension roles after the death of Patrick on October 14, 1947. 
Picture
November 19 Paterson News
Philip J. Kearney: was born in New Jersey in1881 and appointed to PFD on October 13, 1902. He served at Engine Company 1 at 112 (not 115) Van Houten Street and later at Engine Company 4 on Slater Street. He was assigned to the Theater Detail in 1921 and served with that unit until his retirement.  

Both parents were born in Ireland. In the 1904 Paterson City Directory Patrick was listed as a fireman living at 239 Sussex Street. In the 1909 City Directory he was listed as a hoseman of Engine 4 living at 208 Pacific Street.  In the 1910 census. Later he lived on Atlantic Street.  His wife was Grace E (ne Fields), and they had son Vincent J.  and a daughter Alma.
Picture
1907 photo - Philip is listed as diver of the steam engine
Picture

​February 2, 1905:
  FF Phil Kearney injured at firehouse.
Picture
February 3 Paterson Daily Press

​1913
Chronicle story - Engine Company 1  FF Philip Kearney is second from the left
Picture
1913 Chronicle
Picture
Phil Kearney - Engine 1 1913
Picture
Phil Kearney - 1916 Engine 4
Picture
Phil Kearney 1936
Picture
Phil Kearney is second from right at Engine 4 on Slater Street ~1916
Picture
Theater Detail 1936 - Phil Kearney, Charles Almroth Andrew Bruno
Picture
July 8, 1931 Paterson News
Picture
Charles Onorato   -- Mother is Alana Onorato was the grand-daughter of FF Philip Kearney.
​Served as Lance-Corporal  in USMC 1986-1989
Appointed May 7, 1991.  Served Engine 6 Tour 4 ~ 2 years   Then Ladder 2 Tours 2 & 1
Appointed Captain March 24, 2003. Covering Tour 2, 6 months at Engine 4 then Ladder 2 until 2003
Appointed Battalion Chief on February 23, 2009. Floated Tour 1, then assigned Battalion1 Tour 1, then B1 Tour 3, then 18 months in arson bureau, then Battalion 4 Tour1

Served as the PFOA President (elected 2012). Prior was vice-president. 
Retired: June 1, 2019
Picture
Battalion Chief Charles Onorato
Picture
1991 PFD Academy - then probationary FF Michael Fleming (ultimately became a DC) and Charles Onorato (became a BC)
Picture
FF Charles Onorato at Engine 6
Picture
2016 Red Mass - Deputy Chief Michael Fleming and Battalion Chief Charles Onorato
Picture
2017 Red Mass - Battalion Chief Charles Onorato
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • HOME
  • OVERVIEW
    • FIRST CENTURY
    • EVENTS 1890-1894
    • EVENTS 1895-1899
    • EVENTS 1900-1910
    • EVENTS 1911-1919
    • EVENTS 1920-1939
    • EVENTS 1940-1959
    • EVENTS 1960-1979
    • EVENTS 1980-1999
    • EVENTS 2000-2019
    • EVENTS 2020-2023
  • FIREFIGHTERS
  • CHIEF ENGINEERS
    • ASSISTANT CHIEFS
    • DEPUTY CHIEFS
    • BATTALION CHIEFS
    • CHIEF GIGS
  • THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
    • MEMORIAL SERVICE
  • OBITUARIES / DEATHS
    • 1889-1919 DEATHS
    • 1920-1939 DEATHS
    • 1940-1959 DEATHS
    • 1960-1969 DEATHS
    • 1970-1979 DEATHS
    • 1980-1999 DEATHS
    • 2000-2009 DEATHS
    • 2010 AND LATER
  • NOTABLE FIREFIGHTERS
    • CALAMITA FAMILY
    • CAPTAIN JOHN WEBER
    • CUSACK FAMILY
    • FLEMING FAMILY
    • GERARD DUGAN
    • HANCOCK FAMILY
    • HENRY OTIS HARRIS
    • ISAAC FELICIANO
    • JOHN GILMORE
    • JOSEPH DAYSPRING
    • KEARNEY-FAMILY
    • MARIANI FAMILY
    • McLAUGHLIN FAMILY
    • SALMANOWITZ BROTHERS
    • THE SIMONTONS
    • THE SWEENEYS
    • TICE FAMILY
  • NOTABLE FIRES/INCIDENTS
  • SPECIAL OP EVENTS
  • TAKING THE HEAT BOOK
  • HISTORICAL REVIEWS
  • 1907 GUARDIAN
  • 1936 HEARD & SEEN COLUMN
  • FIREHOUSE PHOTOS / FACTS
  • COMPANY & FH HISTORY
  • SPECIAL OPERATIONS
  • EMS
    • EMS ROSTER
  • COMMUNICATIONS / FA
    • FIRE BOX LISTS
    • FIRE BOXES & STANCHIONS
    • EVRS STATION LIST
  • FIRE VIDEOS 1991-2011
  • FIRE VIDEOS 2014-2022
  • DOCUDRAMAS
  • APPARATUS
  • APPARATUS VIDEOS
  • NOTABLE EVENTS INDEX
    • PFD STORIES
    • APPARATUS NOTABLES
    • APPTS & PROMOTIONS
    • AWARDS
    • 1960 CHIEF SELECTION
    • GRAND STREET RIOT 1917
    • GROUND ZERO
    • MILITARY
    • PARADES PAID DEPT
    • RED MASS
    • RESCUES
    • RETIREMENTS
    • SISTER LORETTA
    • SPORTS
    • THEATRE DETAIL
  • MEMORABILIA
  • PATCHES DECALS LOGOS SHIRTS
  • WALLPAPER
  • DEPARTMENT PETS
  • TRAINING
  • VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT
    • 1821 - 1854 HISTORY
    • 1815-1890 VOLUNTEER HISTORY
    • 1888 HISTORICAL SUMMARY
    • LOOKING BACKWARDS
    • VOLUNTEER PARADES
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • VOLUNTEER CHIEFS >
      • CHIEF ELECTIONS
      • CHIEF BIOS
    • VOLUNTEER PROFILES
    • ANDREW MOSER
    • ENGINE CO APPARATUS LIST
    • OLD GOOSENECK
    • JEFFERS STEAMER
    • VOLUNTEER COMPANIES
  • AUXILIARY FIRE DEPARTMENT
  • EXEMPT ASSOCIATION
    • EXEMPT 1892 BALL
    • EXEMPT BY-LAWS 1902
  • EXEMPT HOME & RELICS
  • FMBA / PFA
    • FMBA BY-LAWS
    • FMBA 1949 FOLLIES
    • FMBA VIDEOS
  • BALLBOOKS
    • 1909 BALL BOOK
    • 1916 BALL BOOK
    • 1918 BALL BOOK
    • 1921 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1923 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1928 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1935 PFD BOOSTER
    • 1936 JANUARY PICTORIAL
    • 1936 DECEMBER PICTORIAL
    • 1937 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1938 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1939 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1941 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1942 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1943 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1944 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1945 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1946 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1947 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1948 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1949 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1950 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1951 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1952 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1953 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1954 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1955 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1956 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1957 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1958 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1959 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1960 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1961 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1962 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1963 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1964 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1965 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1966 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1967 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1968 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1969 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1970 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1971 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1972 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1973 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1975 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1976 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1977 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1979 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1980 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1981 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1982 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1983 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1984 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1985 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1986 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1987 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1988 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1989 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1990 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1991 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1992 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1993 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1994 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1995 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1996 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1997 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1998 ANNUAL BALL
    • 1999 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2000 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2001 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2002 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2003 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2004 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2005 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2010 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2011 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2014 ANNUAL BALL
    • 2016 ANNUAL BALL
  • ANNUAL REPORTS
  • PFH CONTRIBUTORS
  • ORAL HISTORY
  • STATISTICS
  • CONTACT
  • CITY OF PATERSON