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Remembering
Joseph Ezzo
Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department — New Jersey
Classification: Volunteer
Rank: Captain
Date of Death: August 25, 1982
Age: 64
Joseph Ezzo suffered a fatal heart attack
while responding to the scene of a
vehicle fire in a department rescue
truck.
Known for his community
service, Joseph “Papa Joe”
Ezzo was a 45-year veteran
of the fire service and captain
of the emergency rescue
trucks. He assisted
the department every
chance he could. He
was instrumental in the
renovation of the company’s
1926 fire truck
and helped build the new
firehouse headquarters.
A lifelong resident of
Riverdale, Ezzo’s dedication
to his community went
beyond his service at the fire-
house. A Little League coach for more than
25 years, “Papa Joe” was like a father to
everyone. He was retired from a job
as a truck driver for Harry Kimble
of Newfoundland. Ezzo was a
World War II Army veteran.
He was survived by his wife,
Anna Bella (Pat); five sons,
Joseph, Frank, Dennis,
Thomas, and Patrick; five
brothers; three sisters;
and 16 grandchildren.
His personal interests
were his family and
coaching the local softball
team. If he were here
today to see how much
his family had expanded,
he’d be the proudest father,
grandfather, and great-grandfather
of them all.
Men achieve a certain greatness unawares, when working to another aim.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson