Introduction
Captain Felix E. Bendzyn
FELIX BENDZYN was born on May 30, 1899 in Camden, New Jersey to Louis and Anna Bendzyn. His family had lived in Philadelphia before he was born. The Bendzyns were at 829 Sycamore Street at the time of the 1900 Census. Louis Bendzyn worked as a day laborer to support his family, which then included four children older than baby Felix. They were Helen, Louis, Paul, and Mary. Two other children had died, an all but too infrequent event in those times. By 1906 the family had moved to 1041 Diamond Street.
When he registered for the draft in September of 1918 Felix Bendzyn was working at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard. The census taken in January of 1920 shows that Felix Bendzyn was still working at the shipyard and living with his parents, older sister Helen, and younger siblings Frank, Alexander, and Anna at 1041 Diamond Street.
By 1924 the Bendzyn family had moved to 1247 Thurman Street and stayed there as late as 1927. Brothers Paul and Louis had also moved back in with the family. Felix Bendzyn remained with the shipyard until the spring of 1928.
Felix Bendzyn was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on April 28, 1928 and assigned Engine Company 7 as a hoseman. The 1929 Camden City Directory shows him living at 926 Howe Street with his wife, the former Martha Kokocha. This would be his address for the rest of his days. During the 1930s Martha Bendzyn was an active member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Camden Police and Firemen’s Association. In October of 1943 Martha’s brother, Peter Kokocha, was appointed to the Camden Fire Department.
On June 16, 1951 Felix Bendzyn was promoted to Captain and transferred to Engine Company 8.
Felix Bendzyn was still serving with Engine Company 8 when he died on June 4, 1961. He was replaced on the Fire Department by James Stewart, who reported for duty on August 1, 1961. Felix Bendzyn was survived by his wife Martha, who joined him in 1986.
World War I Draft Card
World War I Draft Registration Card – Felix Edward Bendzyn, 1041 Diamond St., Camden, N.J. Occupation: Tester, N.Y. Ship.
Promoted Firemen Take Posts Today
Camden Courier-Post —
Promoted Firemen Take Posts Today
Lennox Deputy Chief; Eight Others Elevated as Captains Here
A new deputy chief, a battalion chief and eight new senior and junior captains will assume their posts today in the fire department. The men were promoted yesterday afternoon, along with the announcement of eleven new appointments of firemen, who will go into service April 15.
The new deputy chief, John H. Lennox, now is second in command when his platoon is on duty. He was acting deputy since the naming of Thomas Nicholas as chief two years ago.
The new battalion chief is Rollo Jones. Jones succeeded George B. Wade, who retired January 1.
Junior captains advanced to senior captains, with salaries increased to $2,400, are William H. Harring, Truck Company No. 1, Clarence Madden, Engine Company No. 6 and George Hunt, Engine Company No 7. The new junior captains advanced from the ranks, with new salaries of $2,299 a year, are David Ellis, driver for Chief Nicholas for nine years, George Saunders, hoseman of Engine Company No. 9; Eli Hunt, driver of Engine Company No. 3, and William Van Pfefferle, hoseman, Engine Company No. 1.
All the promotions were from the civil service eligible list. The captains will be assigned tomorrow.
The new firemen, also civil service eligibles, will start with salaries of $1,500. Each year of service brings an increase, until five years in the department pays $2,040 annually. The new men are Thomas F. Gibbons, Byron M. Davis, John S. Anderson, William H. Toy, Leo J. Tompkins, Horace T. Molan, Lawrence Bolton, George W. Garner, Felix E. Bendzyn, Harry H. Hess and Charles Jones.
Chief Lennox is one of the most popular firefighters in the organization. “Chappie” is the nickname by which he has been known for years. He was appointed a fireman January 1, 1908. He was promoted to a captainship October 1, 1915, and was assigned to Engine Company No. 8.
His promotion to deputy chief gives the department two men in that standing, one in command of each platoon on duty. His new salary will be $2,800 a year. He will be stationed at headquarters, Fifth and Arch streets. He lives at 633 Clinton street. William W. Patterson is the other deputy chief.
Battalion Chief Jones will receive $2,520 a year. He has been in command of Engine Company No. 9, Twenty-seventh and Federal streets. He will be sent to command Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue. He was a former senior captain of Engine Company No. 4. For a number of years he was an instructor in fire school methods of life saving. He lives at 536 York street.
New Firemen Take Posts
Camden Courier-Post —
12 Rookies and 10 Promoted Men Go to Posts
Twelve new firemen and ten men promoted several weeks ago were assigned to their new stations yesterday by Chief Thomas J. Nicholas. With these appointments, the department complement of 200 men is completed.
John H. Lennox, newly named deputy chief, will make his headquarters at the Fifth and Arch streets station. Rollo Jones, promoted from senior captain to battalion chief, succeeding George Wade, recently retired on pension, will move to Engine Company No. 3, Broadway and Ferry avenue.
Three men were promoted from junior to senior captaincies. They are: William Heron, who moved to Company No. 2; George Hunt, Company No. 8, and Clarence T. Madden [sic] Company No. 5.
Taken from the ranks, the following will be stationed as junior captains: David R. Ellis, Company No. 7; Clarence Newton, Company No. 5; William Van Pfefferle, Truck Company No. 2; Eli Hunt, Company No. 9, and George Saunders, Company No. 6.
The new firefighters and their stations are: Lawrence Bolton, Company No. 9; John S. Anderson, Company No. 4; Byron M. Davis, Company No. 1; George W. Garner, Company No. 4; Lawrence Milton, Company No. 5; Thomas Gibbons, Company No. 4; Leo J. Tompkins, Company No. 2; Felix Bendzyn, Company No. 7; Horace T. Molan, Company No. 7; William E. Toy, Company No. 9; Harry H. Hess, Company No. 11, and Edward Callahan, Truck Company No. 4.
23 Homeless After $300,000 Fire Destroys City Block in Camden
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Courier-Post, July 11, 1933 – C.B. Coles & Sons Lumber Co. fire at Kaighn’s Point. Knight Street – Front Street – Mechanic Street – Atlantic Avenue – Kaighn Avenue – South 2nd Street – Margaret Dolson – Robert Dolson – Engine Company 8 – George Tucker – Charles Voll – Dr. Arthur L. Stone – Mrs. Marion Richards – Henry C. Coles – John Bircher – John H. Lennox – James H. Long – Harry Hertline – Joseph Novack – E.H. Stewart – Camden Clown Club – Engine Company 2 – Engine Company 7 – William Hopkins – Felix E. Bendzyn – Howe Street – Cedar Street – Wiley Mission
Heads Auxiliary
Camden Courier-Post —
Heads Auxiliary
MRS. ANNA GLEASON, who was elected president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Camden Police and Firemen’s Association, 1175 Whitman Avenue. She is the widow of Lester A. Gleason. Other newly elected officers are Mrs. E. Schriver, vice president; Mrs. Ruth Baker, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Mable Batten, secretary, and Mrs. Martha Bendzyn, treasurer.
Captain Bendzyn at the C.B. Coles Fire, 1958
Captain Felix Bendzyn of Engine Company 8, encrusted in ice following the extinguishing of a fire on the pier at the foot of Clinton Street, winter of 1958. Photo by Bob Bartosz.
Fire Department Personnel Card
Camden Fire Department personnel card – Felix E. Bendzyn, Captain, Engine Co. 8. Born Camden, N.J., May 30, 1899. Appointed Apr. 2, 1928. Assignments: 4/16/28 Engine 7 hoseman; 6-16-51 Promoted Captain, Engine 8. Deceased June 4, 1961.