John S. Brzozowski
John S. Brzozowski, Camden Fire Department
JOHN S. BRZOZOWSKI was born on July 11, 1940 to Bruno Brzozowski and his wife, the former Anna Krawczyk. The family lived at 723 Blaine Street in the 1950s. He married Barbara Fennimore around 1960 and there were three children born of this marriage, Leonard, John S., and Kim. The Brzozowski family resided in Fairview at 2857 Idaho Road in the early 1960s.
John S. Brzozowski was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in 1962 and graduated from the Fire academy in February of 1963. By June of 1967 he was already serving as an Acting Captain, and was promoted after passing the Captain’s test in 1968. He was living at 371 North 34th Street in East Camden when the results of the test were published in June of that year. John S. Brzozowski retired as a Captain on February 1, 1990.
John S. Brzozowski moved to Franklinville, New Jersey around 2000. He died on December 14, 2018, and was buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
5 New Firemen Complete Training
Camden Courier-Post —
Five new Camden firemen, who have completed three weeks of fire school training, will be presented graduation certificates Monday and assigned to companies, Fire Chief Edward R. McDowell announced today.
They are Joseph A. Murray, of 2802 Harrison ave.; Thomas Stammerjohann, of 1302 Whitman ave.; Kirby Bates, of 303 Biedeman ave; William P. Neale Jr., of 3055 River rd., and John Brzozowski, of 2857 Idaho rd.
Starting the New Year on the Job
Camden Courier-Post —
FIREMEN MAN equipment in fire headquarters, 3rd and Arch sts., New Year’s Day. They were among hundreds of South Jerseyites at work in diverse ways despite the holiday. Men in foreground are Fireman John Brzozowski (left) and Capt. Joseph Wolfinger, both members of Engine Co. 2.
Firemen Rescue Woman
Camden Courier-Post —
Firemen braved smoke that felled a policeman to rescue an East Camden woman from an apartment fire early today.
In serious condition at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital after she was carried out of her home at 367 Marlton Avenue was Mrs. Frances Brooks. She was found unconscious on her kitchen floor.
Treated at Cooper Hospital after being overcome by smoke was Ptl. Joseph Kane, 43. He was felled by smoke after forcing open a rear door in an attempt to rescue Mrs. Brooks.
Acting Battalion Chief Leonard Oshushek said Acting Fire Capt. John Brzozowski and Fireman Spencer Smith Jr. made their way past Kane, found the woman and carried her out.
Smoke from the blaze, which broke out shortly before 5 a.m., also routed Mrs. Leah Burn from a second floor apartment in the building.
Oshushek said the blaze was confined to a sofa in Mrs. Brooks’ first floor apartment. He said the fire marshal’s office was asked to investigate to determine the cause of the fire.
Widow Routed by Blaze
Camden Courier-Post —
A Camden woman whose husband was killed seven weeks ago in a traffic mishap today was routed from her home when fire broke out in the upstairs bedroom for the second time within six hours.
Mrs. Edith McDevitt, 45, of 916 Front St. was aroused while sleeping on the living room couch about 8 a.m. as she heard what appeared to be stones hitting a window.
As Mrs. McDevitt investigated she discovered the noise was fire crackling in the bedroom upstairs. She then ran to the rear door where she called for neighbors’ aid. One of the neighbors notified the fire department.
Two Overcome
Responding to the alarm were Engine Companies 2 and 6 and Ladder Company 1.
According to Fire Capt. Joseph Wolfinger, flames had engulfed the bedroom and flames shot from windows as firemen arrived at the scene. The fire was quickly extinguished although two firemen — Acting Capt. John Brzozowski of Engine Company 2 and Fireman Samuel Fisher of Ladder No. 1 — were overcome by smoke. Both were treated at the scene.
According to authorities, Mrs. McDevitt reported she had taken medication before retiring about 11 o’clock last night. She apparently fell asleep before finishing a cigarette which ignited the mattress.
Doused Mattress Fire
However, she doused the mattress fire—about 2 a.m.—with a bucket of water. Believing the fire out, she went downstairs and slept on the couch.
Mrs. McDevitt told firemen she has been prescribed a depressant medication since the death of her husband, James, who was killed last April 22 when the car he was driving crashed into a viaduct overpass on Admiral Wilson Boulevard near Federal Street.
Authorities said Mrs. McDevitt’s bedroom had extensive fire damage but was contained to that area. More than $300 in coins also was recovered for the widow after she informed firemen that a pitcher broken during the fire contained many coins.
Police, Fire Tests Take Heavy Toll
Camden Courier-Post —
Courier-Post Bureau
TRENTON — The high rate of failures on police and fire examinations was repeated yesterday in the Civil Service Department’s announcement of the results of tests for fire captain and patrolman in Camden City.
In the captain’s test, 23 passed, 64 failed and two did not show up for the test. In the test for patrolman, 10 passed, 32 failed and 14 failed to show. In the non-residents’ test for Camden patrolman, six passed, eight failed and five did not appear.
In the fire captain’s test, Kenneth M. Clark of 111 North 26th St., Camden, a veteran, qualified with a score of 92.6, highest for the seven veterans who qualified. Joseph R. Gfrorer of 3040 N. Constitution Road, Camden, was highest of applicants with a score of 96.5.
Others who passed the fire captain’s test were:
George D. Getty of 1111 N. 34 St., 95.4; John DiMaggio of 319 Beckett St., 94; Joseph J. Anderson of 2406 Denfield St., 92.96; Phillip A. Maycott of 2836 Lincoln Ave., 90.5; James McMaster of 402 N. 37th St., 90.2; William D. Hillman of 3071 Constitution Rd., 89.4; Joseph Arensberg of 1041 N. 32nd St., 88.3; Robert E. Briggs of 2861 Congress Road, veteran, 86.3; John S. Brzozowski of 371 N. 34th St., 86.2; Edmund F. Gorczynski of 272 N. 33rd St., veteran, 85.4; Anthony F. Orme of 3317 River Ave., veteran, 82.4; William J. Young of 1126 N. 33rd St., 80.5; William D. Ayers of 2846 Pierce Ave., veteran, 79.1; Joseph Dowhy Sr., of 866 Beideman Ave., veteran, 78.9; James O. Jones of 3214 Mitchell St., 78.3; Joseph Chelhowski of 1324 Sheridan St., veteran, 75.8; James T. Robinson of 504 Trenton Ave., 75.5; Anthony D. Moffa of 23 Leonard Ave., 73.3; Robert E. Davenport of 1026 Reeves Ave., 73; John F. Gaffney Jr., of 78 S. Dudley St., 72.8, and Albert E. Collum Jr., of 2409 Howell St., 72.6.
Patrolman (residents) who passed:
Joseph A. Fox of 2117 Mount Ephraim Ave., 77.1; Charles W. Cahilly 2d of 2015 Westminster Ave., 75.; Edward B. Bush of 3210 Mitchell St., 78.9; John F. Oppmann of 550 N. 30th St., 77.7; Gary E. Miller of 486-A Rand St., 77.4; Donald J. Tymusczuk of 2737 Concord Ave., 75.1; Joseph A. Broccoli of 1467 Pershing St., 74.2; Richard W. Merta of 1641 Pulaski St., 72.9, and Robert G. Gibson of 572 Clinton St., 72.6.
Patrolman (nonresidents) who passed:
Flem J. Hopkins Jr., 78; Elwood L. Ridge, 75.4; Joseph E. Benton, 74.7; David Vautier Jr., 74.1, and Frank R. Pedano, 73.8.
25 Firemen Finish Training
Camden Courier-Post —
In a move aimed at staffing the Camden Fire Department for a new 42-hour work week, 25 probationary firemen will be graduated from the city fire academy Monday and 10 fire officers will be given promotions Tuesday.
Heading the list of fire officer promotions will be the selection of Battalion Chief Anthony C. Saponare, 51, of 117 S. 27th Street, Camden, as deputy fire chief. The new deputy chief is a 26-year veteran on the city fire force.
Two fire captains to be promoted to battalion chief are Matthew J. Davies, Jr., 36, of 2819 Carman Street, Camden, and James H. Stewart, 54, of 317 Garden Avenue, Camden.
Seven firemen to be named captains include William D. Hillman, 29, of 11 Crestfair Apartments, Camden; Joseph H. Arensberg, 32, of 1041 N. 32nd Street, Camden; Robert E. Briggs, 48, of 2861 Congress Road, Camden; and John Brzozowski, 28, 371 N. 34th Street, Camden.
Also to be named captains are Edmund F. Gorczynski, 36, of 272 N. 33rd Street, Camden; Anthony T. Orme, 44, 3317 River Road, Camden; and William B. Young, 29, of 1126 N. 33rd Street, Camden.
The new firemen include Richard E. Johnson, Thomas H. Eckel, Ronald C. Crowder, John A. DeLuca, Peter P. Carbone, Robert P. Hand, Robert M. Lapp, Jerome A. Kee, Thomas V. Kane, Charles E. Mayo, James C. Peterson and George S. Szychulski, all of Camden.
Other slated fire school graduates are Ronald Angemi, Robert C. Welch, Robert G. Boyle, Glenn H. Moore, Marvin W. Bendy, Thomas J. DiBiaso, Arthur J. Gibson, Daniel J. Galasso, Samuel Battle Jr., Ronald J. Boyle, Jerome J. Watson, George R. Abbey, 3rd., and William H. Huelas, all of Camden.
The appointments of all 35 men become effective Jan. 1, 1969.
Fire Prevention Week
Camden Courier-Post —
FIRE PREVENTION is “bag” of Camden firemen John J. Meksa (in rear) and Capt. John Brzozowski at Broadway and Market Street. Firemen were handing out literature as part of city’s observance of Fire Prevention Week.
Obituary: Anna Brzozowski
Camden Courier-Post —
BRZOZOWSKI — On January 25, 1996 Anna (nee Krawczyk) of Lansdowne, PA age 76. Wife of the late Bruno. Beloved mother of John of Gloucester. Dear sister of Mary Zduniak of Clemonton. Also survived by three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial, on Tuesday, 9:00am at St. Joseph’s Church, 10th & Mechanic St., Camden. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Viewing Tuesday morning 7:30 to 9:00am at the CIECHANOWSKI FUNERAL HOME, 1309 S. 10th Street, Camden.
Obituary: Leonard Brzozowski
Camden Courier-Post —
BRZOZOWSKI — Leonard, of Maple Shade formerly of West Deptford, NJ, suddenly on May 2, 2000. Aged 33 years. Beloved fiancée of Sharon Picklo. Devoted son of Barbara M. Hillman (nee Fennimore) and John S. Brzozowski. Dear brother of Kim M. Martino, John S. Brzozowski and Wm. Wade Hillman. Dear Step-son of William Hillman and step-brother of Dawn Hillman, Dean Hillman and Denise Laute. Viewing Fri., 6:30–9pm and Sat., 9–10am in the McGUINNESS FUNERAL HOME, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury, NJ, where services will be held Sat., 10am. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, Chews Landing, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Muscular Dystrophy Assoc., 1000 White Horse Pike, Voorhees, NJ 08043.
Obituary: John S. Brzozowski
Camden Courier-Post —
BRZOZOWSKI, JOHN S. — Franklinville — On December 14, 2018 of Franklinville, formerly of Camden. Age 78. Loving father of John Brzozowski and Kim Marie Diaz. Proud grandfather of Dan, Steven, John, Danielle and great grandfather of Kory and Skyla. Predeceased by his son Leonard Brzozowski. Mr. Brzozowski was a Camden City Fire Fighter with 27 years of service. Prior to retirement John attained the status of Captain for his many years of dedication. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Life Celebration Wednesday, 9:00 – 10:30 AM at the CIECHANOWSKI FUNERAL HOME, 1100 N. Black Horse Pike, Runnemede, NJ 08078. Funeral service will follow 10:30 AM at funeral home. Interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chews Landing. Memorial contributions in John’s memory can be made to SPCA, 1244 N. Delsea Dr., Vineland, NJ 08360.