Fireman served area for over 3 decades Former fire official Philip C. Payne dies following stroke BY DANIEL HOWLEY Staff Writer WEST LONG BRANCH - A moment of silence was observed at the Dec. 19 Eatontown municipal meeting for a former fire official who was on life support after he had had a stroke. A day later, Philip C. Payne died at Monmouth Medical Center at the age of 60. "Our fire marshal, Phil Payne, was rushed to the hospital," Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo said at the meeting. "He had a stroke and is in very serious condition. "It is my understanding that he is on life support," he said, adding, "So, if we could, let us have a quiet moment of prayer to hopefully see Phil through this difficult time." Born in Long Branch, Payne served in a number of capacities in various fire agencies throughout the county. Payne began his firefighting career at the Neptune Hose Company of the Long Branch Fire Department in 1968. He served as captain for the department in 1972 and was later made a life member. After joining the Fort Monmouth Fire Company in 1973, Payne was promoted to deputy chief in 1988. He retired from the Fort Monmouth Department in 1998. In 1980, while still working for Fort Monmouth, Payne also served as Chief of the West Long Branch Fire Department. He was recently awarded a lifetime membership with West Long Branch Fire Company No. 2. In addition to working for various fire departments in Monmouth County, Payne also served as a fire official for West Long Branch, Eatontown, Rumson, Asbury Park, Fair Haven and Oceanport. He also served as second deputy fire marshal for Monmouth County. In recognition of his service to Monmouth County, Payne had been named Fire Prevention Man of the Year by the Monmouth County Fire Prevention and Protection Association. In 2007, Payne received the Monmouth County Fire Investigator's Medal from the Monmouth County Fire Marshal Valor Award Committee. Payne is survived by his wife, Louise Anfuso Payne, daughter Heather, and son-inlaw Michael McGough.