From left, Longport Volunteer Fire Chief Levon “Lefty” Clayton, Mayor Nicholas Russo, retiring employee and Fire Capt. Richard Hirsch Jr. and Commissioner Dan Lawler.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – The Board of Commissioners Jan. 4 recognized the retirement of longtime employee and volunteer Richard Hirsch Jr. and proclaimed the day in his honor.
“It seems like just yesterday that I started in the Building Department,” Hirsch said.
Mayor Nicholas Russo said Hirsch served the residents of Longport with distinction for 29 years as the head of the Building Department, Joint Insurance Fund Commissioner, and Safety and Claims Coordinator.
Hirsch has been a member of the Longport Volunteer Fire Department for more than 50 years, obtaining the rank of captain in 1991. He has received numerous awards, including the G.E. Ted Shall Award and Officer of the Year award.
The board expressed “deep and sincere appreciation” for his 29 years of distinguished service to the community, the proclamation stated.
“He’s leaving the government but he’s not leaving Longport,” Russo said.
Russo said Hirsch started in the fire service at the same time Fire Chief Levon “Lefty” Clayton and Deputy Chief Bruce Funk started.
“When I got to the Fire Department, the knowledge of all three of them was incredible,” Russo said. “But Richard was the most accessible and always there for us.”
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