Longtime city firefighter dies battling blaze
BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH — Ronald W. Fitzpatrick, a volunteer firefighter for Long Branch, lost his life in the line of duty on Saturday.

Fitzpatrick, 68, from West Long Branch, was directing RIT (Rapid Intervention Teams) at an abandoned burning building on South Broadway when he collapsed from a heart attack. Efforts to revive him at Monmouth Medical Center’s emergency room were unsuccessful.

"I knew him for a long time, since I was elected mayor," Mayor Adam Schneider said. "He is respected as the most informed and best teacher in the department."

Fitzpatrick was a retired fire captain from the Newark Fire Department, where he served for 27 years. He volunteered at Long Branch Fire Department and remained active in the community.

He was a member of the Phil Daly Hose Company, a senior instructor at the Monmouth County Fire Academy, and served as a Long Branch fire training officer.

"He taught and trained virtually the entire department," Schneider said.

Fitzpatrick is described by members of the department as a great fireman and a person who lived to contribute to the community through his fire services.

"He was a mentor and role model for hundreds if not thousands of firefighters throughout the county and state," Kevin J. Hayes Sr., a city fireman and fire official, said.

According to Hayes, the fire the department responded to occurred at 4:16 p.m. in a vacant building that was being occupied by two people, whom officials have declined to identify. The two people removed boards in order to enter the building, and, apparently, while they were sleeping, a candle fell over and ignited a mattress, he said.

The city’s nine fire companies responded to the fire that destroyed the building. The two persons allegedly responsible for the fire were brought to police headquarters for questioning.

Fitzpatrick was predeceased by his wife, Gloria Burozski Fitzpatrick, in May. He is survived by two sons, Stephen Fitzpatrick of Red Bank and Kevin Fitzpatrick of Eatontown; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and Louis Vitale of Oakhurst, Eileen and Edward Krausser of Wall, and Mary and Steve Graziano of Brick; nine grandchildren; three stepchildren; and six step-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Ave., Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. and will be followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church. The viewing was scheduled for Wednesday from 1 to 9 p.m.