Introduction
George A. Fuscellaro was born in Philadelphia PA on September 9, 1917 to Carmin J. Fuscellaro and his wife, the former Anna Rocco. A sister, Nettie, was born in 1919. Sadly, she passed, but the following year another daughter was born, also named Nettie. A brother, Carmin Fuscellaro Jr., was born in 1926.
The Fuscellaro family had moved to Camden by 1924. The city directory for that year shows them living at 301 Stevens Street, and that the elder Fuscellaro worked as a shoe cutter. By 1929 the family had moved to 343 Clinton Street. Carmin Fuscellaro Sr. had by then been appointed to the Camden Police Department, where he went on to have a long and distinguished career.
George Fuscellaro had married Alice Vogt when he was inducted into the United States Army on June 2, 1941 at Trenton, New Jersey. His military career was not a long one, and George Fuscellaro was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on January 30, 1942. He reported for duty on February 1, 1942 with Engine Company 2. After serving with Engine Company 2 for five years, he was transferred to Engine Company 11 on North 27th Street in Cramer Hill, not too far from his home at 1041 Lois Avenue. George Fuscellaro was promoted to captain on September 16, 1949 and remained in service with Engine Company 11.
On August 15, 1954 Captain Fuscellaro retired on full disability. He and his family apparently moved away from Camden not long afterwards. Tragedy struck the family in February of 1961 when his brother, Carmin Fuscellaro Jr., was killed in the line of duty during an attempted jailbreak at City Hall in Camden.
Last a resident of Hammonton, New Jersey, George Fuscellaro passed away on August 31, 1982.
Fire Ruins Awning
Camden Courier-Post —
Capt. George Fuscellaro, of Engine Company 11, at Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue, and several members of his company only had to walk across the street today to extinguish a blaze that destroyed a canvas awning over a window of the luncheonette of Paul Wells, at 868 North Twenty-seventh street. Wells saw the awning smoking and sent his son, Douglas, seven, to notify the firemen. The damage was estimated at $90.
Fire Captain Burned In Blaze at Garage
Camden Courier-Post —
A Camden fire department captain was burned on the left hand Friday night while he fought a fire in a private garage in the rear of 2632 Baird boulevard.
Captain George Fuscellaro, in command of Engine Co. 11, Twenty-seventh street and Hayes avenue, was treated at Cooper hospital for second degree burns of the hand.
Doctors at the hospital said Captain Fuscellaro sustained the injury when melted pitch ran onto his hands while he battled the blaze which damaged the doors and the roof of the garage.
Pension Granted To Fire Captain Hurt at Blaze
Camden Courier-Post —
A Camden fire department captain has received a disability pension as a result of injuries received while fighting an East Camden blaze last year.
Capt. George Fuscellaro, 37, of 1041 Lois ave., was approved for pension, at full salary, by the retirement committee of the police and Firemen Pension Commission at Trenton.
Fuscellaro was injured April 4, 1953, while fighting a fire at two houses in the 220 block of Sewell st. While pulling an inflated hose over the edge of a roof, Fuscellaro suffered a severe back pain and it was necessary to take him from the roof by stretcher and remove him to the hospital.
Forced to Wear Brace
Fuscellaro’s condition was reported to the committee by Drs. Edwin Rosner, of Collingswood, Stanley L. Brown, orthopedic specialist, and Garnett Summerill, Camden police surgeon.
Members of the committee, Arthur Wright, of Bayonne, Ross Logan, of Haddonfield, and John Fryland, of Clifton, fireman, civilian and policeman members respectively, were told Fuscellaro must wear a brace at all times.
In a report to Director of Public Safety Aaron, Dr. Brown reported that Fuscellaro’s condition is worse today than it was a year ago.
City Will Pay Half
Spencer Smith, a member of the Camden Fire Department, and one of the four representatives to the committee elected throughout the state, presented Fuscellaro’s case at the hearing.
Under the present state pension laws, the pension commission and the City of Camden will each pay half of Fuscellaro’s salary, averaged over the last three years, of $3850. Fuscellaro was appointed to the department Feb. 1, 1942. Commissioner Aaron will introduce a resolution at the next city commission meeting for the payment.
2 Cops, 2 Firemen Okayed for Pensions
Camden Courier-Post —
Pensions for two Camden policemen and two firemen have been approved by the New Jersey Police and Firemen’s Retirement System.
The four were among 22 policemen and eight firemen throughout the state for whom pensions were approved.
Police Capt. Nathan Petit and Patrolmen William McGrath, and fire department Capt. George Fuscellaro and Charles Cooke, hoseman, were approved for pensions.
Among the other policemen approved for pension were John F. Galen, of Atlantic City; Samuel D. Price of Ocean City, and Andrew F. Delate, of Trenton.
Fire Department Service Record
Camden Fire Department Service Record