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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.

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!

NJ FMBA Cooked & Uncorked 2023

Congrats to our FMBA 21 Cooking Team at the NJ FMBA Cooked and Corked event held annually at the Pines Manor in Edison NJ. FMBA 21 members Bob Hoogmoed III, Michael Andrade, Michael Cromey, and Sal Guardascione placed third place for the firehouse category judges choice. Our team made a braised beef short rib with home made potato gnocchi embedded in roasted red pepper and basil ricotta topped with parmesan crème and infused with olive oils finished with a Locatelli parmesan.

Special thanks to our sponsors: NJ FMBA, St Barnabus, & Shoprite.

Thank you residents for your toy donations!

FMBA Local 21 is grateful for the contributions of countless Clifton residents that stopped into our fire houses over the past few weeks to donate gifts to our annual Toy Drive. Thanks to you, Christmas will be merrier for hundreds of Clifton children. Over 500 gifts were collected and donated to The Boys and Girls Club of Clifton for distribution to local residents in need.

Merry Christmas from Clifton FMBA 21
Click the post for more info and photos. FMBA Local 21 is grateful for the contributions of Clifton residents that stopped into local fire houses over the past few weeks to donate gifts to our annual Toy Drive. Thanks to you, Christmas will be merrier for hundreds of Clifton children. Over 500 gifts were collected and donated to The Boys and Girls Club of Clifton for distribution to local residents in need.

Clifton Fire Deparment Pet Drive 2022

During the month of November, the Clifton Fire Department organizes a Pet Drive for the Clifton Animal Shelter. This year marks the 10th anniversary of this event. We would like to thank all who donated to this great cause making it a huge success! FMBA 21 would also like to thank our fire department secretary, Ann Marie Lancaster for organizing this event!

10th Annual Clifton Fire Dept Pet Drive – 2022

Happy Thanksgiving from FMBA 21

Happy Thanksgiving from FMBA 21

Firefighter Kenneth Collucci, Congrats on Your Retirement!

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

Good luck in your retirement and future endeavors!

FF Collucci worked his last shift on Nov 20, 2022. L to R: Dan Collins, John Bradley, Ken Collucci, Sal Guardascione, Elliot Darisaw, Michael Cromey, Michael Rowan
Retirement Audio Clip from Clifton Fire Department Radio
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