Philip C. Payne

Mr. Payne, 60, of West Long Branch, died Dec. 20, 2007, at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Long Branch, he was a lifelong resident. He was deputy chief at Fort Monmouth Fire Department, Eatontown, retiring in 1998, after joining the department in 1973. He was also a former lifemember and captain of NeptuneHose Company of the Long Branch Fire Department, fire chief of theWest Long Branch Fire Department, and a life member of West Long Branch Fire Company No. 2. Mr. Payne was also the fire official for the boroughs ofWest Long Branch, Eatontown and Rumson. He was named 2007 Fire PreventionMan of theYear by theMonmouth County Fire Prevention and Protection Association, and was a recipient of the Monmouth County Fire InvestigatorsMedal.He is survived by hiswife, LouiseAnfuso Payne; and a daughter and son-in-law,Heather andMichael McGough of Oceanport. Interment was at Glenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch. Arrangements were by Damiano Funeral Home, Long Branch.Memorial donationsmay bemade to the Philip C. Payne Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 567, Long Branch, NJ 07740.