Tommie H. McDuffie, was a
62-year resident of Mt. Lodge Park and a Fifty-three year Life Member of the
Mt. Lodge Park Fire Company, died on Thursday, January 24, 2008 after
suffering a stroke on January 17th. Tom was considered the
“elder statesman’s” of the fire company considering he joined three
years after
its inception. Tom rose through the ranks of the fire company and was
eventually elected to the position of Chief. He served in numerous positions
during his 53 year career in the fire service. Here are some of the
positions and titles he held.
1961 - Fire Company President
1962-1965 Fire Police Chief
1973-1975 Chief of the Fire
Company
1978-1989 Fire Police Chief
1968-1980 Battalion 5 Secretary
1982-1994 Commissioner of the
Salisbury Mills Fire District
Life Member of the Orange County
Volunteer Fireman’s Association
Life Member of Orange County’s
Fire Chief’s Association
Life Member of the Mt. Lodge
Park Fire Co.
Honorary Member of the Salisbury
Mills Fire Co.
Tommie retired after 33 ½ years
as a structure specialist for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving in World War II. He was
a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe. He was a member and treasurer
of the Blooming Grove Democratic Committee, a life-member of the V.F.W Post
#8691 in Washingtonville and was involved with the Orange County Board of
Elections voting machines.
Tom is survived by his wife
Alice, son Art, and daughters Kathy & Barbara with eight grand children and
five great grand children. He was a tremendous asset to the fire company,
the fire district and the community and will be truly missed by all.
