Introduction
Allen F. Hess Sr.
Allen F. Hess Sr. was born in Camden on April 16, 1926 to Mary and Harry Hess. The family was living at 2733 Sherman Avenue in Cramer Hill by 1927. Harry Hess joined the Camden Fire Department on April 4, 1928 and served for many years thereafter.
Allen F. Hess enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey on May 9, 1944. As he had qualified for flight duty, he trained as a member of a bomber crew and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was awarded the Air Medal, indicating that he flew at least five combat missions, most likely as a gunner.
Allen F. Hess returned to Camden after completing his military service. His parents were still living at 2733 Sherman Avenue as late as 1947. He was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 14, 1950. Allen Hess was promoted to captain in May of 1960, and to Battalion Chief on June 11, 1966, and later was promoted to Deputy Chief. After serving the City of Camden for 40 years, Chief Hess retired on May 1, 1991.
Allen F. Hess had moved to 3064 Mickle Street in East Camden by October of 1956. This remained his home until Camden lifted the residency restrictions on its fire fighters. By 1977 he had moved to the Barclay Farms section of Cherry Hill NJ.
Allen F. Hess passed away on January 22, 2001, survived by his wife, the former C. Marion Davis, son Allen F. Hess Jr., daughters Patty Janus and Joann Erenhouse, and six grandchildren.
New Fire Recruits
Camden Courier-Post —
37 Camden Men Pass Tests for City Firemen
Thirty-seven candidates have passed the Civil Service test for fireman in the Camden City fire department. Thirty-two of those who qualified are former service men and three of them, disabled veterans, were placed at the top of the list under the preference given by law.
Joseph T. Hackett, of 158 Branch Village, is listed first, Owen D. Gale, 320 Marlton avenue, second and August L. Johnson, 916½ Chestnut street, third.
The salary on Jan. 1 will begin at $2400 and reach a maximum of $3160 after four years.
Following is the complete list of those who qualified in the test:
Joseph T. Hackett, 158 Branch Village; Owen D. Gale, 320 Marlton avenue; August L. Johnson, 916 Chestnut street; Harry Sterling, 112 Ablett Village; Albert A. Stinger, 1423 Bradley avenue; Jesthroe Hunt, 753 Walnut street; Harold H. Pike, 429 Penn street; Roy R. Moffa, 216 Morse street; Allen F. Hess, 2733 Sherman avenue; Franklin W. Whylings, 602 North Thirty-second street; William L. Gosnell, 3303 Crescent drive; David W. Humphries, 3017 Mickle street; William G. Winstanley, 510 Penn street; Joshua H. Robinson, 1934 Kossuth street; Henry S. Keubler, 936 Broadway; Adolph S. Zubrzycki, 1223 South Tenth street; Ralph H. Palmer, 585 Mickle street; Alexander P. Matis, 903 Haddon avenue; Earl G. Robinson, 1036 Penn street; Anthony J. DiMaggio, 530 South Eighth street; Earl A. Smith Sr., 201 Biedeman avenue; Philip J. MacDonald, 123 North Eleventh street; Robert P. Olesiewicz, 321 Mt. Vernon street; Eugene E. Demers, 2034 High street; Chester J. Gedrich, 1154 Thurman street; John F. Chudzinski, 1043 Thurman street; Samuel D. Siniscalki, 803 Line street; Santo DiMaggio, 319 Beckett street; Ludwig Polniak, 471 Pfeiffer street; George P. Baxter, 817 Howard street; Ralph F. Schaffer, Canterbury apartments; Joseph J. McTaggart, 3135 Waldorf avenue; Louis J. Monahan, Canterbury apartments; John DiMaggio, 319 Beckett street; William N. Stone Jr., 950 Vine street; Casper J. Martelli, 220 Mt. Vernon street; and H. Raymond Dixon, 439 Trenton avenue.
Fire Headquarters Staff
1961
In the staff office at Fire Headquarters (kneeling from left) Fireman Ernest Tartaglia, Fireman Howard Lewis, Fireman Harrison MacNeir; (standing from left) Captain Allen Hess, Fireman Dominic Dalanni, Fireman Henry Keubler, Chief Harry Wagner, Fireman James Troutman, Chief Edward Michalak, Fireman James Smith, Chief Edward MacDowell, Fireman John Yates, and Fireman George Wade.
Municipal Proclamation Ceremony
Commissioner of Public Safety Edward Garrity presents Chief of Department Edward McDowell with municipal proclamation, January 1961. Members in attendance, (from left) Fireman George Wade, Fireman Harrison MacNeir, Fireman John Gaffney, Fireman James Troutman, Fireman Ernest Tartaglia, Captain Allen Hess, Fireman John Yates, District Chief Harry Wagner (obscured), District Chief Edward Michalak, Fireman Dominick Dalanni, Fireman Howard Lewis, and Fireman Henry Keubler.
Promotions to Battalion Chief
Camden Courier-Post —
Promotions were made today to fill four vacancies in the City Fire Department.
Director of Public Safety Keith Kauffman announced the promotion of Allen F. Hess, 40, of 3064 Mickle Street, and John Giuliano, 38, of 419 N. 38th Street, to battalion chief.
Hess was appointed to the department in November, 1950, and made captain in May, 1960. Giuliano was appointed January, 1956, and received his captain rank in July, 1960.
The new battalion chiefs replace Charles and Godfrey Patterson, brothers, who have retired.
Named to fill the vacancies created by the promotion of Hess and Giuliano are Richard Brooks, 33, of 1081 N. 34th Street, a member of the department since January, 1961, and Roy Moffa, 47, of 161 S. 27th Street, a member since November, 1950.
Photos
Allen F. Hess Portrait
Allen F. Hess Portrait
Ladder Training at 502 Linden Street
Ladder training at 502 Linden Street, October 1968
Allen F. Hess – Richard Brooks – Ladder Company 1
Broadway Fire
Camden Courier-Post —
Two noontime fires in Camden Thursday slightly injured two city firemen and caused traffic on Broadway between Berkley and Washington streets to snarl for more than an hour. Treated at West Jersey Hospital, Northern Division, Camden, were firemen Dennis Penn, 25, whose hands and right ear were burned, and Joseph Broccoli, 34, who had a cut over his right eye.
Both were injured in a fire that destroyed a second floor rear bedroom at 684 Hazelton Court, Camden. Battalion Chief Charles Bates said the two-story stucco home was engulfed in flames and heavy smoke when firemen arrived. It was declared under control within 10 minutes. The residents of the house, Mrs. Anna Jenkins and her son, were not at home at the time of the fire, he continued.
No injuries were reported as firemen battled a second floor blaze at 438 Broadway shortly before 1 p.m. That fire apparently started in the second floor bathroom and spread to a rear kitchen and front bedroom, said Battalion Chief Allan Hess. “The heat was so intense in the bathroom, that ceramic tiles on the floor cracked and several water pipes burst,” he said. “Firemen were forced to use air packs because of the density of the smoke.” Firemen confined damage to the second floor of the three-story brick building with some smoke damage to the third floor and water damage to the first floor, he continued. The occupants of the house, Mrs. Ruth Morris and her son Spencer, 16, who were at home when the fire broke out, escaped without injury.
North 34th Street Fire
Camden Courier-Post —
Named: North 34th Street, Thomas F. Broccoli, Richard E. Johnson, Allen Hess, and Roles Court.
Fire scene photo, June 1987
Allen Hess at fire scene, June 1987
Personnel Card
Camden Fire Department personnel card for Allen F. Hess Sr.
Allen F. Hess Sr. Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
Hess
On January 22, 2001 Allen F. Hess Sr. age 74. Beloved husband of C. Marion (nee Davis) of Cherry Hill, NJ. Loving father of Allen F. Hess Jr. of Cinnaminson; Patty Janus of Mt. Laurel; and Joann Erenhouse of Elkins Park, PA, 6 grandchildren. Viewing Wednesday evening 7-9pm and Thursday 12 noon to 1pm in The Schetter Funeral Home 304 W. Rt. 70 Cherry Hill, NJ. Funeral service 1pm. Interment Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson, NJ.
C. Marion Hess Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
Hess
On June 27, 2004 (nee Davis) of Cherry Hill, NJ. Age 81. Beloved wife of the late Allen F. Hess, Sr.
Loving mother of Joann Erenhouse of Bethesda, MD, Allen F. Hess, Jr. of Cinnaminson, NJ, and Patricia Hess Janus of Mt. Laurel, NJ.
Devoted grandmother of Ryan, Chad, Ashlee, Amanda, Kyle, Heather; and great grandson Walter.
Viewing Thursday morning 11am to 1pm in the Schetter Funeral Home, 304 W. Rt. 70, Cherry Hill, NJ. Funeral Service 1pm. Interment Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson, NJ.