Al Fischer
"Line of Duty Death"
2-23-27 to 9-21-86.
"May you always hold his memory close to your hearts". Al, pictured here with his son Jimmy, was everyone's friend. A dedicated volunteer, Al was responding to a call on foot, as he lived less than a block away from the station and was struck by a vehicle, sustaining mortal injuries.
Al was a family man leaving behind his wife Pearl, four sons, four daughters and many grandchildren. Al's family continues to serve. His son Jimmy is a Career EMT with Deptford EMS and his grandson Jason Kell is a Lieutenant in Union Fire Company.
Howard J. "Babe" Leidy
May 11, 1926 to December 17, 2010.
Babe was a lifetime resident of Blackwood Terrace and serviced in WWII on the Boxer as a Butcher and Gunners Mate. Babe was a Life Member of Union Fire Company Blackwood Terrace, where he joined at age 17, and served for just over 67 years, serving as president for 25 years from 1985 to 2010. He founded the Deptford Township Fire Commission, and was elected as a member of its' first Board in 1966, and served as Chairman until 1985. He was also a Charter Member of the Deptford Ambulance and Rescue Squad, formed in 1958, and he served as their Treasurer from 1958 until 1990. He was a Member of the N.J. Fireman's Relief Association, and President of the Deptford Twp. Fireman's Relief Association. Babe and his family performed Ambulance and Fire dispatch from their home and from their store from 1946 until 1983 when Deptford joined the County 911 system.
Jan J. Smith
January 20, 1954 to December 4, 2009
Jan was a lifelong resident of Blackwood Terrace and a Life Member of Union Fire Company. Jan was 1st Assistant Chief during the 1980's and also held many other positions in the Fire Company. Most of all, Jan was a leader, teacher and a mentor.
Everything Jan did, he did well. Jan played the Trombone in the Marching Band at Deptford High School, he was an Executive at PNB and Corestates Bank in Philadelphia, he was an EMT in the Deptford Ambulance and Rescue Squad, a great husband and father and when Jan passed away, he was in his second term as a Fire Commissioner with the Deptford Fire District.
Jan liked to train and especially lay hose and pump water. There were many intense discussions regarding the Fire Company, tactics on the fire ground, the Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles. Jan did it his way, "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere". Jan's daughter Jennifer is an active volunteer with Union Fire Company.
Bud Ward
August 6, 1931 to August 30, 2010
Bud was a Life Member of Union Fire Company and was best known as the Fire Photographer for the Deptford Fire Department. If it happend in Deptford, everyone saw Bud's pictures in the newspapers across South Jersey and the board next to the meat counter at Leidy's Market. If you were in the Fire Company, you were in the paper at some point in time.
Bud loved his Volkswagons, but loved his family more. He was probably most famous for his picture of Jesus in the Fire (picture on the left). Bud happened across a chicken coop fire on Tarpy Lane off Good Intent Road in 1980. When the photo's came back from processing, the image was in the door. Bud sent out thousands of pictures and the photo went viral in a time before the internet.
Bud always had a funny story and will be remembered for his friendly smile.
