Newark firefighter recognized

Newark's Deluge Hose Co. # 1 held its annual banquet at the American Legion this past Saturday (March 16, 2002) and honored the longest-known member of the Newark Volunteer Fire Dept.

Raymond C. VanDerMortel was presented with an award for 70 years of service. Ray is pictured here, flanked by his sons, Roger and Norm.

Mr. VanDerMortel was given a gold trumpet to mark the anniversary. He joined the fire department at age 19 in May of 1932. At age 89, he is still listed as an active member of Deluge Hose Co #1. Although he cannot physically serve on the fire ground; he still attends meetings, fundraising and social events.

Ray admired his brother, Cornelius (Curly), and believes that he was the main reason for joining the fire department. Curly had joined the Newark Fire Department after serving his country in the Army, fighting across Europe during World War I.

Ray began his working career at Jackson & Perkins, and then went to work at the box factory for Bloomer Brothers. That is when he joined the fire department. He remembers making oyster pails at the beginning of his career there. After leaving Bloomer Brothers, he went on to work at Garlock's and then the Newark State School, from which he retired after 26 years of service.

He recalls some bad fires over the years - the Chaffee Building, the kraut factory, the Madison Block fire, the old mill on W. Union Street, and the MacDougall fire, where a life was lost. (He stated that was hell.)

He said the biggest change he has seen is the equipment used now. He remembers starting with a Hook and Ladder that consisted of straight extension ladders on the back of the truck and pumpers that had the pumps on the front of the trucks along with hard rubber tires on them. Now, the department has aerial ladders and mid-ship pumps.

They used to have filter masks that could choke you to death in the old days. Those have been replaced with self-contained breathing apparatus now. Ray says he would like to have a buck for every length of hose he'd ever put back on the trucks.

When asked about the system of rotating officers that is in place now, Ray said he favors it over the old days. He could remember when a fireman was an assistant for 10 years and never made it to chief.

Firefighting is a tradition in many families - his is no exception: Ray is a 70-year member of Deluge Hose Co. # 1; his son, Roger, is also a member of Deluge Hose Co.; his son Vincent (Norm) is a member of New York Central Hose Co. # 5; grandsons, Jim and Chris, are also members of New York Central Hose Co. # 5, of which Chris is president.

Chris is currently in the Air Force, serving in the Middle East. Ray's daughter, Pat, is a member of the fire department auxiliary and is married to Ken Merton, a member of the Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co. # 4 for over 40 years.

Ray's wife, Unita, who passed away in 1986, was a member of the ladies auxiliary. Newark Fire Chief, Joe Colasurdo said that the department is as proud to have Ray as a member as he is to be firefighter. He resides on Church Street and attributes his long life to hard work and exercise. He has many fond memories of the fire department and events he has witnessed.

Editor's note: Special thanks to Newark Fire Dept. Public Information Officer Dick Colacino for sharing this story and photo with us.

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