From left, Margate Fire Chief and Longport Assistant Chief Dan Adams, longtime firefighter and former Mayor and Commissioner William A. Fiore and Longport Fire Chief Levon Clayton.
LONGPORT – Former Mayor and Commissioner William A. Fiore, 79, has died, his family announced this morning.
Fiore, who Mayor Nicholas Russo called “a dedicated public servant,” served as mayor and commissioner for 24 years. He was mayor from 1992 to 2000, and a commissioner from 1980 to 2004.
“It is a sad day here in Longport when we lose someone who made such a contribution over the years to the borough,” Russo said in a statement. “Bill served during a challenging time when the borough was transitioning from a small community to a popular summer destination.”
Fiore was a lifetime member of the Longport Volunteer Fire Department, having served the department for more than 62 years. He had achieved the rank of captain, and in 2020, the Longport Volunteer Fire Department honored him by naming him Chief Engineer Emeritus.
Longport Volunteer Fire Chief Levon “Lefty” Clayton, second from left, and members of the fire department presented Bill Fiore with a new helmet and an honorary title, Chief Engineer Emeritus.
During his tenure as Commissioner of Public Safety, he worked hard to ensure that the fire department had the necessary equipment to protect the residents and visitors of Longport. He served as the Director of Public Safety for 16 years.
At the time of his passing, he was Atlantic County Legislative Representative for the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association.
Fiore was also a longtime member of Longport American Legion Post 469, with more than 50 years of membership. He served honorably in the U.S. Army.
“Those who were fortunate enough to have known Fiore respected him as an esteemed resident of the Borough of Longport who worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life in the Borough of Longport and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of his fellow citizens. He will be tremendously missed by many,” Russo said.
