McLaughlin Family of Firefighters
Four generations of McLaughlins have served the Paterson Fire Department. Joseph McLaughlin was appointed to the Paterson Fire Department as a Firefighter on July 1, 1912 and served until May 1, 1944. His son, Edward was appointed December 1, 1956 and served as a Deputy Fire Chief until his retirement on April 1, 1989. The third generation McLaughlin, Edward Jr., was appointed Firefighter November 26, 1979. He rose to the ranks of Deputy Fire Chief, serving as Executive Officer, until his retirement on July 1, 2010. The fourth generation McLaughlin, Matthew, was appointed as a Firefighter on June 18, 2012 and is presently assigned to Ladder Company 1. Collectively, the McLaughlin's have over 100 cumulative years of service (and counting) with the Paterson Fire Department. Of interest is that Joseph also had a brother that served at PFD: Captain James McLaughlin appointed in 1915.
- Firefighter Joseph McLaughlin Served July 1, 1912 – May 1, 1944
- Captain James McLaughlin Served June 1, 1915 - September 14, 1948
- Deputy Chief Edward J. McLaughlin Sr. Served December 1, 1956 - April 1, 1989
- Deputy Chief Edward J. McLaughlin Jr. Served November 26, 1979 – July 1, 2010
- Firefighter Matthew McLaughlin Appointed June 18, 2012 –
- Battalion Chief Jackson Brock Appointed January 6, 1996 -
Fireman Joseph A. McLaughlin was appointed on July 1, 1912. He served Truck 3 located at Godwin and Auburn Streets. He retired 1944 and died on September 18, 1948. His last name was often misspelled in various Ball Books as McLoughlin
Paterson Chronicle June 22, 1913 - #16 in a series on PFD
Until 1920, Truck 3 used a horse pulled combination chemical / ladder truck (built in 1893 and rebuilt in 1906). It was the last horse-drawn apparatus in Paterson to respond to an alarm (its last run was July 4, 1920)
Truck Company 3, A Shift in 1936 Ball Book - with misspellings in legend
1936 ball Book -
Joseph McLaughlin
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Apparatus in 1936 was a 1932 75' Ahrens Fox aerial (barely seen behind the closed doors in above photo)
Photo of Truck 3 in 1948
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Passing of FF Joseph McLaughlin
September 18, 1948
James McLaughlin- Appointed PFD June 1, 1915 - Brother of Joseph McLaughlin - Served Engine 1 as firefighter and then promoted to Captain at Engine 1 at Central Fire Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street in July 1928. Later served Engine 13 on 23rd Avenue. Passed away in 1943 while still on the job
July 3, 1928 Morning Call
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Captain James McLaughlin 1936 ball Book
Engine 13 Ahrens Fox Pumper used in 1936 by Engine 13
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Engine 13 at 23rd Avenue Firehouse - 1936 Ball Book
Passing of Captain James McLaughlin January 29, 1943
Paterson Evening News
Edward J. McLaughlin Sr. –Served US Navy as Radioman 2/c March 10, 1944 thru June 9, 1946 Appointed to PFD December 1, 1956 – Promoted to Captain Served at Engine 6 and 13. Promoted to Deputy Chief Deputy Chief April 1, 1972 - Served as a drillmaster - Retired April 1, 1989
Captain Ed McLaughlin - 1971 photo
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Men of Engine 13 with 1948 Mack pumper: In front L-R: Victor G. LaRegina, William McVey, Nicholas D'Amico, Captain Robert U. Marion, Captain Edward McLaughlin. On apparatus Carl E. Larson, Richard Korger, Anthony Cappello, Stuart McKay.
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Deputy Chief Ed J McLaughlin - 1989 Ball Book
1975 Physical Fitness initiative - Standing L-R: John Harris, Harold Wilson, Bill Shortway, Vince Scarmozza, DC Ed McLaughlin Sr (in center), John Holderman (next 3 are not PFD). Kneeling L-R: Joe Forbes, Norman Morley, Arnold Fry, Joe Francese, John Duffy
1981 - Assistant Chief Joe Dayspring and DC Ed McLaughlin
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Edward J. McLaughlin Jr. - Served as Sergeant in US Air Force August 20, 1973 thru August 19, 1977 – Appointed to PFD on November 26, 1979. Promoted to Captain January 9, 1994. Promoted to Battalion Chief February 24, 1998. Promoted to Deputy Chief May 14, 2004. Became Executive Officer in 2004 - Retired February 1, 2011
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Firefighter Edward J McLaughlin Jr
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1989 Ball Book - Engine 8 at Hillcrest Firehouse
1996 Ball Book - Captain Ed McLaughlin Jr at Engine 7 Grand Street
Captain Ed J McLaughlin Jr. 1994 Ball Book
BC Edward J McLaughlin Jr. 1998 Ball Book
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DC Edward J McLaughlin Jr. 2006 all Book
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DC Ed J McLaugghlin Jr is in front row - 2nd officer from right
DC Ed J McLaughlin Jr with Captain Ed McGrady
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2011 Ball Book
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Matthew McLaughlin - appointed June 18, 2012 - Serves at Ladder 1
FF matt McLaughlin
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Matt at Training Academy in 2012
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Jason Brock who was appointed to PFD on January 10, 1996 (served at Engline 3) is the step son of DC Edward J McLaughlin Jr. and the step-brother of Matthew McLaughlin. FF Brock was promoted to Captain on June 11, 2010 at Ladder 2 and then to Battalion Chief August 9, 2019. He retired February 1, 2023.
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Photo as a Captain
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1996 ball Book - Engine Company 3 - Lakeview Firehouse
2000 Ball Book
2001 Ball Book
July 4, 2020 - East 24th Street 2nd alarm
June 30, 2017: McLaughlin Family Dedication Plaque for Engine 5
Now Affixed to Engine Company 5 pumper
Chief Postorino in white cap presenting the plaque. DC Ed McLaughlin Jr in rear with red time and at rear on right in uniform are Matt McLaughlin and then Captain Json Brock
Engine 5
Engine 5 with plaque visible exiting Riverside Firehouse