NOVEMBER 29, 2025
HONORING PARADE GRAND MARSHALS
THE RUTHERFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT
150 YEARS OF SERVICE
THROUGH THOUSANDS OF BRUSH FIRES, BURNING BARNS, DANGEROUS CONFLAGRATIONS IN AUTOMOBILES, CHEMICAL PLANTS, AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, RUTHERFORD'S FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ON THE JOB STEADILY. THE DEPARTMENT HAS ANSWERED EVERY CALL, AND TRUCK COMPANY NUMBER ONE HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE FOREGROUND
TRUCK COMPANY NUMBER ONE HAS BEEN FIGHTING FIRES IN RUTHERFORD FOR 150 YEARS. THE FIRE COMPANY IS OLDER THAN THE BOROUGH OF RUTHERFORD ITSELF. IT'S A LONG WAY FROM THOSE FIRST DAYS WHEN THE TRUCKS WERE PULLED BY MAN-POWER, WHEN LEATHER BUCKETS WERE ALL THEY HAD FOR CARRYING WATER, AND "MODERN IMPROVEMENTS" CONSISTED OF A CISTERN IN DEPOT SQUARE FOR FIRE PROTECTION.
BACK IN 1875, THEY DIDN'T CALL IT TRUCK COMPANY THE GROUP OF SMOKE-EATERS WAS ESTABLISHED 150 YEARS AGO AS "TRUCK AND BUCKET COMPANY NUMBER ONE". THE NEXT YEAR, ON JUNE 6, 1876, THEY WERE OFFICIALLY CHARTERED, WITH G. R. ALYEA AS PRESIDENT, AND J. L. CHAPMAN AS SECRETARY.
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
NUMBER ONE TOOK SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM THE CITIZENS AND INSTALLED THEIR APPARATUS IN A BARN WHICH STOOD ABOUT 250 FEET BACK FROM PARK AVENUE. THEY HAD A "TRUCK", WHICH THE FIRE-LADDIES PULLED THROUGH THE UNPAVED STREETS OF TOWN BY MEANS OF A LONG ROPE THEY HAD LADDERS, AND LEATHER BUCKETS, AND THAT'S ABOUT ALL EXCEPT FOR THEIR OWN STOUT HEARTS AND STRONG LEGS.
THE ERIE RAILROAD DONATED A BELL WHICH WAS PUT ON TOP OF THE FIRE HOUSE, AND WHEN THAT BELL RANG, NUMBER ONE ROARED THROUGH THE STREETS A LADDER WENT UP AGAINST THE BUILDING, ONE MAN CLIMBED WITH A BUCKET OF WATER, WHICH HE THREW DOWN ON THE FLAMES THIS METHOD DIDN'T STOP A ROARING FIRE - BUT IT COULD PUT OUT SMALL BLAZES, AND CERTAINLY CONFINED MANY FIRES TO A SMALL AREA.
OLD NUMBER ONE WAS THE UNION TRUCK AND BUCKET COMPANY NUMBER ONE THE RUTHERFORD AREA WAS ALL PART OF UNION TOWNSHIP, AND RUTHERFORD WAS NOT INCORPORATED UNTIL SIX YEARS LATER, IN 1881
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
RD
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
IN 1892, RUTHERFORD WAS DESCRIBED AS HAVING THREE COMPANIES. THE NEXT AFTER NUMBER ONE DESERVES MENTION. IT RENTED SPACE ALONGSIDE NUMBER ONE ON PARK AVENUE, IN THE MCMAHON BUILDING, FOR A SHORT TIME, AND IT WAS THE FIRST TO HAVE A PUMPER, ONE OF THOSE DEVICES WHERE MEN STOOD ON EITHER SIDE PUMPING UP AND DOWN ON THE BIG HANDLES.
THE WEST END FIRE ENGINE HAND HOSE COMPANY NUMBER THREE WAS ORGANIZED IN 1890, AND ITS BOAST WAS A CHEMICAL TRUCK. TWO BARRELS OF CHEMICALS WERE MOUNTED ON A CHASSIS THE FIREMEN USED ONE BARREL, AND AS IT WAS EMPTIED, THE SECOND BARREL WAS BEING FILLED AND MADE READY
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE RD
IN 1889, COMPANIES ONE AND TWO HAD FORMALLY BEEN ADMITTED AS MEMBERS OF THE RUTHERFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A BOROUGH ORDINANCE A POPULAR GUID BOOK OF THE TIME HAD SAID "RUTHERFORD HAS A WATER SYSTEM WITH AMPLE FORCE, AND EVENTUALLY A HYDRANT SYSTEM WILL BE INSTALLED."
FLASH FORWARD TO TODAY...
THE RUTHERFORD FIRE DEPT IS STILL ON THE JOB AND AS RELIABLE AS EVER CONSISTING OF TRUCK CO. #1, ENGINE CO. #2, ENGINE CO. #3, ENGINE CO. #4, RESCUE CO. #5, & THE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT 2025 CHIEFS
BRYAN SARTORI CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT
CHRISTOPHER BRANCA DEPUTY CHIEF
ROBERT BUELL
1 ASSISTANT CHIEF S T
JASON J. FRAHM
2 ASSISTANT CHIEF N
JUSTIN MOHAJER 3 ASSISTANT CHIEF R
RUTHERFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT 2025 OFFICERS
TRUCK COMPANY 1
CAPTAIN ANDREW MICHALSKI LIEUTENANT FRED LILLER
ENGINE COMPANY 2
CAPTAIN DREW SCOTT
LIEUTENANT ROBERT ZIEMKIEWICZ
ENGINE COMPANY 3
CAPTAIN MOSHE STARESHEFSKY
LIEUTENANT KARIM HARRISON
ENGINE COMPANY 4
CAPTAIN CHRISTIAN DANSBACH
LIEUTENANT JOHN P. MELFA
RESCUE COMPANY 5
CAPTAIN MIKE KUCEVIC
LIEUTENANT ROBERT VAN WINKLE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
RD
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
TRUCK CO. 1
DAVE BOGOSIAN (JR.)
BEN BRINC
ALEX BRONICO
VIN GIORDANO (AUX )
TIM HARRIS
MATT KUZNIA
BRIANNA LILLER
FRED A LILLER
INNES MCEVOY
JEFF OLTAR (EX-CHIEF)
ROBERT ORDWAY (EX-CHIEF)
VEDIC PATEL
TOM RISER (EX-CHIEF)
LEONARDO SARACENI (JR.)
TRISTAN SHERRITT (JR.)
NICK VALENTE
BAILY VEGA (JR )
ENGINE CO. 4
ROBERT CARTWRIGHT
PAUL T DANSBACH (EXCHIEF)
WILLIAM DANSBACH
MIKE HOOK (SD)
CHRIS LOCARNO
JACK MELFA
PETER PISCIOTTA (JR.)
MARK SCHLEMM
CHRIS SEIDLER (EX CHIEF)
DREW STONE
TOM TWIST, III (EXCHIEF)
ENGINE CO 2
ANGELO ALIGO (AUX.)
NICHOLAS BIZEN
ANDREW CALVO (JR.)
DENNIS GENTILE (EX-CHIEF)
DENNIS A. GENTILE
SILVO GENTILE
ROBERT KARPOWICZ
KELCEY KEELER (EX-CHIEF)
DAVE OEHLMAN (EX-CHIEF)
ARIF OZER
MICHAEL PISCIOTTA
TERRY SCOTT
SOFIA STOICA (AUX )
DON TOMKO (EX-CHIEF)
CHRIS VERDINO
TOM VERDINO (EX-CHIEF)
JAMES ZIEMKIEWICZ
ENGINE 3
ELIZABETH DRISCOLL
SCOTT KEON (EX-CHIEF)
DANIEL NOA
BRIAN O’HARA
NEIL O’HARA (EX-CHIEF)
MIKE POLLARO
LAYNE VASQUEZ (AUX )
SEAN WALKER (EX-CHIEF)
ELLA WINTERS (JR.)
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
RD
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RESCUE CO 5
GIANNI CAFARO (AUX )
WALTER COCKCROFT
SIVIN DAMODAR
ANGELO GALLO (JR.)
ALEX HIRST (AUX.)
ALMIR KUCEVIC
MIKE LEE
DANIEL MACAUTHUR (JR )
RON PENDLETON (EX-CHIEF)
JARRET SARTORI
MAX SARTORI
PHIL SARTORI (EX-CHIEF)
CRAIG SCOTT (EX-CHIEF)
ROBERT STAUFFER (SD)
LADIES AUXILIARY
KATHIE COCKCROFT
AUBREY DAMMERS
CHRISTIE DAMMERS
LAURIE GENTILE
ANGLELA LILLER
MELISSA LOCICERO
KAITLYN MIZDOL
ADRIANNA PIZZA
BETTY ROOD
RETIRED MEMBERS
BILL ROOD T-1
WALTER CALHOUN E-2
MARK HARRISON E-2
ROBERT PEREZ E-2
TONY DOMBROWSKI E-3
WAYNE KUBS E-3
JAY RYAN E-3
JOHN CLARE E-4
DOUG MEALY E-4
JOHN J. MELFA E-4
FRED J. MOLAN E-4
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
FLOAT SPONSOR
THE RUTHERFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS
FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
FLOAT SPONSOR
PRESENT
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE RD FLOAT SPONSORS
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
RD
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
MEET THE RUTHERFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBERSHIP
MEET THE RUTHERFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBERSHIP
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
FELICIAN UNIVERSITY
MINDFULLY INTEGRATIVE HEALTH
JENNIFER LAYNE ACUPUNCTURE
MEADOWLANDS MUSEUM
INGRI’S HOME AND BUSINESS SERVICES
WORLDCAST LIVE, INC
ANAVIR STUDIO
RUTHERFORD DAIRY QUEEN
CENTER FOR HOPE & SAFETY
CALHOUN MANIA FUNERAL HOME
BODYSCULPTORS
HEALING HEARTS OF RUTHERFORD
MATERA’S ITALIAN MARKET AND CATERING
RUTHERFORD CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH, UCC
FIORENTINI RESTAURANT
BLUE FOUNDRY BANK
GC INSPECTIONS OF NJ
EARL WHITE LAW
RUTHERFORD PRIDE ALLIANCE
WEB SAMURAI FOR HIRE
RELAY FOR LIFE
SPOOKY CHIC
PRIMETIME CHEMDRY
THE SALAD HOUSE
STUDIO 108, LLC
MARKETING INTUITION
WALKING WITH SCHLEMM, LLC
FOND & FAYE
FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIOS
BUNGALOW BEAUTY BAR & BOUTIQUE
BLACK BELT AMERICA OF RUTHERFORD
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY OR RUTHERFORD
THE LITTLE PLAY CAFE
BACKSTAGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
RAISING THE BAR REHABILITATION & FITNESS, LLC
RUTHERFORD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
BE WELL GREENS
METROPOLITAN MEDICAL CORPORATION
PURE MASSAGE AND HOLISTIC SPA
55 KIP CENTER
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
COCCIA REALTY
RUTHERFORD SWIM ASSOCIATION
COMMUNITY CHEST OF RUTHERFORD
DAN MEREDITH ALLSTATE AGENCY
WILLIAM NEUMANN PHOTOGRAPHY
NJ4S CHILDREN’S AID AND FAMILY SERVICES
MATISSE 167
HARMONIC EGG
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
RD
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
BINNIE & CLODE
GOFFINS/ 64 PARK BOUTIQUE
THE AGENCY
CLICK IT MASTERS, LLC
NATIONWIDE MORTGAGE BANKERS
RUTHERFORD EYE CARE
NATIVE DEVELOPMENT
WILLIAMS CENTER
IAG, LTD
JIM DANDY’S OCAAT, INC.
MOVED TO SPEAK
PORRO DESIGNS, LLC
RUTHERFORD COFFEE CO.
THE BEAUTY HOUSE
JMHD PRODUCTIONS
MENTORS PRO
ARCANA COSMETIC TATTOO
COMPASS
NICJOY ENTERPRISES
RUTHERFORD ENGINE COMPANY 2
SONOMA BISTRO CODE WIZ
BROSNAN AND CLARK ORTHODONTICS
MICELI HANDIWORK AND HOME
REPAIR
29TH DEGREE
30 BURGERS
GOLDILOCKS CHILDREN LEARNING
BUTTERFISH SUSHI
RUTHERFORD FC SOCCER
AJ DUO
GOLDEN PROPORTION ACUNPUNCTURE
PAINTING ON PARK
ROOTED IN JOY, LLC
LIVING BREAD BAKERY
THE ALFRED M. FIUME FOUNDATION
SCORE NE NJ
EVOLUTION ARTS
RUTHERFORD ELKS 547
YEAH MANAGEMENT
OPPORTUNITY CONSTRUCTION, LLC
STRETCH BOSS WELLNESS
ALL THE TECHNOLOGY
SO CREATIVE BRANDING AND DESIGN
PLAYA BOWLS
FERRETTI SALON
J. STILES PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER
PRIME RELIEF & WELLNESS
CROSS COUNTRY MORTGAGE LLC
MIKAYLA’S THRIFTIQUE
COMMUNITY CHEST OF RUTHERFORD
RUTHERFORD FIRST-AID AMBULANCE CORPS
VARIANCE FILMS
SCHOOL OF ROCK
JESSI DAVIDSON- THE AGENCY
RESTAURANTE AZTECA
ART ASSOCIATION OF RUTHERFORD
SONG E NAPULE
BUTTERFISH SUSHI
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
RD
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
RUTHERFORD GIRLS SOFTBALL
SKT INTERIOR DESIGN LLC
HAIR BY MARE
TAQUERIA NACHO LIBRE
MISSION KIDS SUCCESS
RUTHERFORD HISTORIC PRESERVATION
SOCIETY
MAGGIE MCGILL PHOTOGRAPHY
LIONS CLUB OF RUTHERFORD
THE RENDEROS FARMERS AGENCY
RUTHERFORD LITTLE LEAGUE
KIPP & ALLEN, LLC
RUTHERFORD LACROSSE ASSOCIATION
EDWARD KRAWIEC AGENCY, LLC
WEST END GOLF
ASK ALEXA REAL ESTATE
THIS IS OUR TOWN, LLC
RUTHERFORD MUSIC EXCHANGE
RUTHERFORD ARTS COUNCIL
RUTHERFORD WOMAN’S CLUB
ATELIE ERYN SANTOS
GERIA DERMATOLOGY
RUTHERFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
SMILE TODAY DENTISTRY
CODE WIZ
BROSNAN AND CLARK ORTHODONTICS
MICELI HANDIWORK AND HOME
REPAIR
29TH DEGREE
JOINT HEALTH PHYSICAL THERAPY
VOLARES RESTAURANT
YEAH MANAGEMENT
OPPORTUNITY CONSTRUCTION, LLC
STRETCH BOSS WELLNESS
ALL THE TECHNOLOGY
SO CREATIVE BRANDING AND DESIGN
PLAYA BOWLS
FERRETTI SALON
J STILES PHOTOGRAPHY
IAG, LTD
JIM DANDY’S OCAAT, INC.
MOVED TO SPEAK
PORRO DESIGNS, LLC
RUTHERFORD COFFEE CO
THE BEAUTY HOUSE
JMHD PRODUCTIONS
MENTORS PRO
ARCANA COSMETIC TATTOO COMPASS
NICJOY ENTERPRISES
RUTHERFORD ENGINE COMPANY 2
SONOMA BISTRO
AJ DUO
GOLDEN PROPORTION ACUPUNCTURE
PAINTING ON PARK
ROOTED IN JOY, LLC
LIVING BREAD BAKERY
THE ALFRED M. FIUME FOUNDATION
SCORE NE NJ
EVOLUTION ARTS
RUTHERFORD ELKS 547
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
RD
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
30 BURGERS
GOLDILOCKS CHILDREN LEARNING
FOREVER RELICS
JESSICA DAVIDSON REALTOR
SURGE LABS
CREATIVE CONTENT CONSULTING
SPENCER SAVINGS BANK
REED AUTISM SERVICES PATH
TRANSITIONS PROGRAM- FELICIAN
UNIVERSITY
DOC DAILEY DESIGNS
THE BIRKETT MILLS
HOLTZ PHOTOGRAPHY
SHOT CALLERS BASKETBALL
TWICE ON SUNDAY
PRESTIGE AWARDS
FAITH HEALTH GROUP
ROB MACMILLAN MEMORIAL FUND, INC.
CONNECT COUNSELING & WELLNESS, LLC
LOU VEGA
SUBSTANCE SALON
J’S COZY CREATIONS
STEVE’S HOBBY SHOP
SUMMIT STREET
SUGAR SPHERE
DECORATION STATION
PERFECTLY INVITED
HELIUMBALLOONS365NJ
NEVERSTOPMOVING365BERGEN
BRIGHTSTAR CARE
RE/MAX SELECT
SOPHIA VAZAC
NEREID BOAT CLUB
PARK FINANCIAL GROUP
PLACEMENT PRODUCTIONS
DURAPROOF CONSTRUCTION LLC
THE MEENA PATEL GROUP
SAY CHEEZ PHOTOBOOTH
HAYQUE LLC
LIGHTBRIDGE ACADEMY
PANEBIANCO CUCINA ITALIANA
PERSISTENCE PILATES
KEARNY BANK
AMERICAN LEGION, POST 109
ARA COFFEE
GRAZE CRAZE
MICHELE’S STATION SQUARE
HAIR ENVI
ANDREA CARTWRIGHT, CPA, LLC
THE DOJO
RUTHERFORD IRISH-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ERIE BAKERY
4HD PRINT
KNEAD A BAGEL
RUTHERFORD ALL SPORTS BOOSTERS
NITU’S THREADING SALON
THE KIDDIE ACADEMY
CHURCH ALIVE
MEADOWLANDS YMCA
HOME WITH CHRISTIN
EPIQUE REALTY
CASSANO’S PIZZA PARLOR
MARISCAL DESIGN
ICE CREAM CREATIONS
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE RD
MEET
YOUR
MEET YOUR CHAMBER DIRECTORS & OFFICERS
CHAMBER DIRECTORS & OFFICERS
Officers
Dan Meredith - President
Cliff Witmyer - Vice President
Tom La Tourette - 2 Vice President nd
Jennifer Ersalesi - Secretary
Mike Rizzo - Treasurer
Board of Directors
Maggie McGill
Maria Schlemm
Annemarie Barone
Susan Tully
Kirsten Hoefling
Doug Tobin
Annie Allen
Janine Fenton
Anthony Rusignoulo
Rita DellaFave
Jennifer Zenquis
Kenneth Hopson
Jessica Davidson
Cassi Vargas
Ashley Ferreira
Shanece LaFaye Davis
RUTHERFORDCHAMBEROFCOMMERCE
73 ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
A SPECIAL THANKS TO... A SPECIAL THANKS TO...
Cliff Witmyer & Everyone At Cliffhanger Productions, Mayor
Frank Nuziato, Borough Administrator Robert Kakoleski,
Borough Public Information Officer Kim Bogosian, The Entire
Rutherford Borough Council, Police Chief John Russo & The
Entire Rutherford Police Department, Fire Marshal Paul Dansbach, Recreation Director Patrick Bonner, Christopher
Seidler & The Entire Rutherford DPW, and Dave McAllister (Holiday Tree Crane Operator), The Rutherford Fire Department, The Rutherford Ambulance Corps, The Rutherford Chamber 2025 Parade Committee, The Rutherford Chamber Events Committee, The Rutherford Chamber Board
Of Directors, Rutherford Chamber Member Volunteers,
Felician University Volunteers, & The Entire Rutherford Community. The 73 Annual Holiday Parade Would Not Be Possible Without Your Support.
