The Fire Fighters

  Perhaps it started with William McNally.      While he wasn't an "Alberque" per se, he was E.G. Alberque's in-law, his wife, Margaret's family, and he died in the line of duty on May 5, 1903 in New York City, trying to save the life of another man.

In fact, if you visit Ladder Co. #3 at 108 E. 13th Street in New York City, you will find a plaque dedicated to him on the wall there.  

We know this because of a wonderfully helpful New York fire fighter, John McAvoy, from the same company  who,  in the fall of 2000, researched the story of William McNally for us.  John sent us newspaper clippings and invited us all to visit him and his firehouse any time.  He said he would proudly show us the plaque of our fallen hero.

John McAvoy died  in the line of duty while saving others in the World Trade Center bombing on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.  

 Rest in Peace, John.

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Ladder 3 lost 12 of its 25 fire fighters on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.  

On Monday, Dec. 3, 2001, Cousins Kathy, Cissy, Cissy's son, Michael, and family friend Joan visited Ladder 3 on 13th Street in Manhattan to pay tribute to William McNally, John McAvoy and the other fire fighters lost on Sept. 11.  Fire fighter Tim Brady joined us.  Tim was not on duty the morning of Sept. 11 but immediately drove in to help out when he heard the news.  

The fire station was filled with memorials.  Some of the memorials are big and up-front.  Others are much more subtle.  We brought one more to add to the collection.  Note the bronze plaque to the left.  That is where the name of William McNally is engraved.

To the right is a picture of the coat rack behind the truck where fire fighters hang their heavy striped  black jackets when not in use.  Twelve jackets are missing from the  rack.

The Beginnings of Volunteering

It was not long after the death of William McNally that E.G. joined the volunteer fire department in Ridgefield Park, NJ, almost as soon as he moved there with his family.  

Early records show that  in 1908 E.G. was the Recording Secretary of Friendship Hook and Ladder Co. No.1, which had been incorporated in April of 1892.  There were seven officers and 20 other active members in the company in 1908.  The next year, 1909, E.G. was the Assistant Foreman. In 1911 he was Foreman and then Captain from 1912-1913. After serving his time in the leadership of the company,  he continued to be listed as an "Active Member."  Antoinette, his wife, would tell of fire alarms sounding in the middle of the night when the entire Alberque family would get up out of bed to help pull the apparatus.  

From the beginning it was a very personal family affair.

The family became even more deeply involved as E.G.'s sons grew up.  In 1923,  his oldest son, E. George, Jr., was Lieutenant in Hose Company No. 1, a Captain in 1924, and a Vice-President from 1925 until 1939. Also, In 1934 he was the 2nd Assistant Chief of the Fire Department in Ridgefield Park; in 1935 the 1st Assistant, and in 1936 the Fire Chief. 

E.G.'s fourth son, Howard,  followed in his father's and older brother's footsteps.  Howard J. Alberque was a Lieutenant in Hose Company No. 1 in 1933, the Captain from 1934-1936, the Recording Secretary from 1937 to 1939, and then 2nd Assistant Chief, 1st Assistant Chief and finally Fire Chief of Ridgefield Park Fire Department in 1940, 1941, and 1942, respectively. 

And then came E.G.'s fifth son, Edward. Edward joined Hose Co. No. 1 in 1938 and was a member until 1982! 44 years and injured in the line of duty!  Edward's son, Joseph, was Chief of the Fire Department in 1984, having been 2nd Assistant Chief and 1st Assistant Chief the two years before. And, another son, Michael John, was the Chief in 1996, 1997, and 2000. Edward's oldest son, Edward, Jr., was Fire Commissioner for Ridgefield Park from 1980-1984 after serving many years in the company as well. 

The Knights of Columbus

By 1920 E.G. was a retired, but very successful silk finisher.  (See The Silk Business for more on that story. )  He decided to trade 85 Hudson Ave. in Ridgefield Park (where the family lived) for property on Bergen Ave.  He built a new house for his family at 154 Mt. Vernon Street (see Where They Lived for more details about their homes) and then donated the property on Bergen Ave. to the Knights of Columbus.  The "K of C" hall was dedicated in 1921 and the local chapter that met there was known as the "Phil Sheridan Council".  E.G. Alberque was its first Grand Knight.  In 1943 when E.G. died, it was renamed the "E.G. Alberque, Sr. Council."

Other Voluntary Activities

E.G. was called the "first citizen of Ridgefield Park", where he lived for more than 30 years.  

Around 1900 Ridgefield Park established a "Sinking Fund Commission" to take care of the 50 year term bonds that it had just issued.  This commission had six members, three citizens who served without pay, the Mayor, the Secretary, and the Commissioner of Finance.  E.G. served for many years as one of the three citizens on this commission. He also was president of the Boaard administering the Bate Memorial, a scholarship fund, and a trustee of St. Francis Roman Catholic Church in Ridgefield Park.

E.G. was quietly, yet profoundly generous.  His widespread charities were rarely publicized, however.  The Little Sisters of the Poor, who had a home for the aged on Day Street, Paterson, NJ, were frequent beneficiaries.  Among other donations, he financed the Paul Alberque Memorial Maternity Room at Holy Name Hospital, Teaneck, NJ. 

E.G. also became active with the Boy Scouts of America and served as Scout Master of Troop No. 2 for some time.  He was New Jersey's first Boy Scout Commissioner.  In addition, he was asked to serve his town in smaller ways, as well, such as judging  the town's Annual "Independence Day Celebration", the 4th of July parade!  His son, E. George, Jr., followed his father in similar activities and is listed as a track judge in the annual Athletic Program event.  By the mid 30's, George, Jr. was serving on the Board of the Free Public Library of Ridgefield Park and was a Commissioner of the town in 1939, a position he held until 1948 and then 1954-1956.  He continued to hold honorary positions, as well. 

And it didn't stop there.  E.G. always fostered "giving back to your community".  Many others have volunteered their time and effort, as well, since then: 

And Those Who Have Chosen Military Service

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This page is dedicated to the memory of John McAvoy and William McNally.