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Condolences to the Swan Family

FMBA 21 would like to express condolences to the family of retired Deputy Fire Chief Leonard Swan.

Deputy Chief Leonard Swan

August 27, 1943 – May 18, 2023

Funeral Details for Leonard Swan:

A private cremation already took place with the family. The memorial service information is as follows:

Shook Funeral Home is located at 639 Van Houten Ave Clifton NJ 07013

Friday, May 26, 2023

5 to 8 PM

Attention all members, the family is requesting an honor guard for the service. 

Ret. Dep. Chief Leonard Swan, CFD, 79, of Clifton, passed away on May 18, 2023. Born in Passaic, he was a lifelong resident of Clifton. A parishioner of St. Paul’s RC Church, Leonard proudly served his country in the US Army, 1st Cavalry Division, during the Vietnam War.

Leonard joined the Clifton Fire Department in October 1968, he became Lieutenant in 1978, Captain in 1988, and Deputy Chief in November 1991, retiring in 2002 after 33 years of service, and had served as the Region III representative of the NJ Paid Fire Deputy Chiefs Association.

After retiring, Leonard was an Adjunct Professor at Passaic County Community College and a substitute teacher at Eastside High School and the Harp Academy, Paterson. Later, he worked as a Probation Officer for the Passaic County Probation Office, Paterson, for many years. Leonard was a member of the Clifton Elks Lodge #1569, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #510, FMBA # 21, and numerous civic organizations.

Beloved husband for over 50 years of Carol (Stramiello) Swan. Devoted father of Anthony T. Swan of Clifton. Dear brother of Robert, Albert, and William Swan.

Memorial Gathering Friday 5-8 PM at the Shook Funeral Home, 639 Van Houten Ave., Clifton.

Tank Pull 2023

FMBA 21 members,

We are planning to take part and enter a FMBA team into the 2023 Tank Pull. We are looking for a 20 member team on June 11th to pull a tank. We have done it in the past with great success and in memory of Clifton Firefighter and Marine Veteran Dan Meeks. Dan Meeks passed away at 31 years of age due to a brain tumor. Let your shift VPs know as soon as possible if you can attend. Active and retirees welcome. PBA 36 will have a team as well. If anyone is interested in being the team captain, contact President Daniel Schwaner.

Fire Station 1 reopened

Attention Clifton Residents: Fire Station 1 located in Dutch Hill has reopened on the corner of First Street and Madison Avenue.

Condolences to the DeMario Family

FMBA 21 would like to express condolences to the family of retired Fire Lieutenant Virgil J. DeMario.

LT Virgil”Juggy” DeMario (left) & LT John Van Dorn (right)

Virgil “Juggy” DeMario

August 21, 1938 – May 9, 2023

Virgil John “Juggy” DeMario, 84, of Palm Coast, Florida, formerly of Clifton, New Jersey, passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023.

Born in Passaic, Juggy was raised in Delawanna where he lived most of his life.  He raised his own family there before retiring to Palm Coast, Florida, in 2002. Juggy served the City of Clifton as a member of the Fire Department from 1968 to 1995, retiring as a Lieutenant.  He was also a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1959 after four years of service.

Juggy was a proud, active in many organizations including: Clifton FMBA 21, Life Member of the Nutley ELKS Lodge 1290, Palm Coast ELKS Lodge 2709, Athenia Veterans Post, the AMVETS, American Legion Post 115 in Florida, member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the NRA (National Rifle Association). Juggy was an enthusiastic reader, had a passion for anything mechanical, and was a motorcycle enthusiast his entire life.  But what Juggy loved best were people – he had a huge heart and was loved in return by many!  Juggy was one of a kind and lived life to the fullest!!

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara Ann (nee Karasiewicz) DeMario in 2016 and son, Jeffrey DeMario in 1986.

Survivors include: son, Virgil F. DeMario (Meg); daughter, Deborah Ocot (Nathaniel); five grandchildren – Brielle John (George), Taylor Hoitsma (Donald Scott), Nathaniel Ocot (Jenna), Virgil Kevin DeMario and Katherine DeMario; two great-grandsons, Gideon and Colden; and two sisters, Joy Ralston and Eileen Brodsky.

Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. The funeral service will be held Saturday morning 11:00 am at the funeral home. Private Cremation Services will take place after the Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Deborah Hospital Foundation, 212 Trenton Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015 or by visiting www.deborahfoundation.org/donate/. 

Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave condolences to the family on the Tribute Wall section of the obituary.

Thank you Brother Thomas Nunn!

Special Congratulations to our fellow Clifton FMBA 21 Brother Thomas Nunn! He was recently recognized at the NJ State FMBA awards dinner for his work with the NJ Fire Museum and firefighter health/awareness across NJ! Thank you Tom for all your hard work as our former union President and fellow brother!

Tricky Tray 2023

Thank you all for making our first annual Tricky Tray a great success! Hope to see you next year in 2024!

Condolences to the Murray Family

FMBA 21 would like to express condolences to the family of retired Firefighter Donald J. Murray.

Donald John Murray

February 16, 1936 – February 25, 2023

Murray, Donald John, of Clifton, passed away on February 25, 2023 at the age of 87. Loving husband to the late Colleen Jesse Murray. Beloved father to Donald and Danny Murray. Devoted grandfather to Ciro Murray. Donald is predeceased by his parents, Leo and Mae, as well as five brothers, Leo, Richard, Vincent, Jack, and Louis.

Donald was a member of the Clifton Fire Department for 28 years (May 25, 1959 – September 1,1987). He was also a United States Navy Veteran.

Cremation Services are private. Arrangements by Marrocco Memorial Chapel – 470 Colfax Avenue, Clifton.

Firefighter Walter Cardell, Congrats on Your Retirement!

FMBA 21 would like to congratulate Firefighter Walter Cardell for his 25 years of service to the Clifton Fire Department.

Good luck in your retirement and future endeavors!

Retirement Audio Clip from Clifton Fire Department Radio

Happy New Year!

FMBA 21 would like to wish all a Happy and Healthy 2023!

Merry Christmas from FMBA 21

Merry Christmas from FMBA 21
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