Introduction
Spencer H. Smith Jr., 1958
Spencer H. Smith Jr. was born on October 6, 1914 in Camden, NJ to Catherine and Spencer H. Smith Sr. The Smiths were living at 753 Walnut Street in South Camden when the 1914 City Directory was compiled. His father had joined the Camden Fire Department on May 1, 1914, and was assigned to the Number 1 Engine Company at 407–409 Pine Street in South Camden. At the time of the 1920 census, Spencer and Catherine Smith were renting a home at 1017 Atlantic Avenue in Camden. By this time, the family included eight children, Addie, Annie, Earl, Marion, Clara, Spencer Jr., Walter, and Robert. Later that year in 1920 Spencer H. Smith Sr. was assigned to Engine Company Number 10 at 9th Street and Morgan Boulevard in the Fairview section of Camden. By 1924 Spencer Smith Sr. had moved his family to 3022 North Constitution Road in the then new Yorkship Village neighborhood of Camden. Fire Department records from 1931 show Spencer Smith Sr. and family residing at 1190 Congress Road in Fairview.
Spencer H. Smith Jr. joined the Camden Fire Department on October 14, 1942. He is not listed separately from his father in the 1943 City Directory. The 1947 Directory has him at 3306 Winthrop Road in Camden.
Spencer H. Smith Jr. would serve for 29 years before retiring on April 1, 1971. His father, Spencer H. Smith Sr. applied for his pension in July of 1950, a mandatory retirement at 65 law having been passed covering police and firemen. The elder Smith’s last day on the fire department was August 31, 1950, when he retired along with Deputy Chief Clarence T. Madden Sr., Firemen John B. “Shorty” Prucella, and Fireman Frank L’Esperance.
Spencer Smith Jr.’s brother Earl, a Navy veteran of World War II, would join the Camden Fire Department around 1950. Sadly, Earl Smith would suffer a fatal heart attack after returning from a working fire, making the Ultimate Sacrifice in April of 1968.
During his time with the Camden Fire Department, Spencer Smith Jr. was instrumental, along with Ernest Tartaglia, in putting together a union to represent Camden’s fire fighters, the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association of Camden. He served two terms as President of the State Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association. He also served as a member of the New Jersey State Police and Fire Pension Commission for 52 years, and was chairperson as late as 2004. He also was a Labor Liaison Officer for the City of Camden for 25 years, and was elected to the City of Camden’s Board of Education, where he served one term.
Socially, Spencer Smith Jr. was a member of the Independent Citizens Athletic Club (I.C.A.C.) of Fairview, a member of the Police and Fire Retired Men’s Club of South Jersey, and the AARP.
Spencer Smith Jr. was married to Marie Stewart. They had one child, Spencer H. Smith III, who served with both the Camden Fire Department and the Camden Police Department from 1962 to 1995, retiring as a detective. When Spencer Smith Jr.’s nephew, Larry Smith, retired from the Camden Fire Department in 2016, the Spencer Smith family had served the City of Camden without interruption for over 102 years.
Spencer H. Smith Jr., last a resident of Oaklyn NJ, died at the age of 90 on March 5, 2005. He was predeceased by his wife Marie and son Spencer Smith III, who had passed in June of the previous year. He was survived by his grandson, Spencer H. Smith IV.
Pension Granted To Fire Captain Hurt at Blaze
Camden Courier-Post —
Pension Granted To Fire Captain Hurt at Blaze
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.
Six of the Seven Candidates
Camden Courier-Post —
SIX OF THE SEVEN CANDIDATES in today's election to four seats on the Camden Board of Education. The seventh candidate, John M. McCloskey, declined to have his picture taken nor would he submit a photograph to The Courier-Post for inclusion with the others.
Thomas Carr Heads Police, Fire Group
Camden Courier-Post —
THOMAS J. CARR SR. Who has been reelected president of the Camden Police and Firemen's Association.
Thomas Carr Heads Police, Fire Group
Thomas J. Carr Sr. has been reelected president of the Camden Police and Firemen's Association, it was announced today.
Other officers elected for 1958 are John K. Voll, vice president; Harrison Pike, treasurer; Joseph Gfrorer, financial secretary; Arthur C. Batten, recording secretary; Winfield Leviseur, chairman of the board of managers; Joseph Ballinghoff, John Moore and Howard Brickner, members of the board of managers, and Joseph Dmochowski, Leon Puszczykowski, Ernest Tartaglia and Spencer Smith, sergeants-at-arms.
Appointments include: Gfrorer, flower committee; Leviseur, memorial committee; Pike, Leviseur and Gfrorer, loan committee; George Bowen, auditor; Bruce A. Wallace, solicitor.
Dinner Set For Retired Fire Capt.
Camden Courier-Post —
Dinner Set For Retired Fire Capt.
A testimonial dinner for retired Camden City Fire Marshal Maurice F. O'Brien will be held at Kenney's, Camden, Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
The affair will be sponsored by members of the city Fire Department and friends, Spencer Smith, chairman, said.
O'Brien, 63, of 22 Fairview Court, will retire as a fire captain on Saturday. He retired as city fire marshal last Jan. 1. He entered the fire department June 6, 1930.
O'Brien is an Army veteran of World War I, and a member of the League of the Sacred Heart, the Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association and the Police and Fire Club.
Assisting with the dinner arrangements are Edwin Wirtz, John Moore and John Gaffney, inspectors in the chief combustibles inspector's office.
Fire Equipment Has Changed (photo caption)
Camden Courier-Post —
FIRE EQUIPMENT HAS CHANGED in Camden but the Smith family carries on into the third generation. Spencer Haines Smith III (left) and his father Spencer H. Smith Jr. examine a picture of the old coal-burner the latter once drove. Young Smith was sworn in today as a member of the city fire bureau. The late Spencer H. Smith Sr. joined the department in 1914.
Earl Smith – Eutaw Avenue – Ernest Fagan – 35th Street – Truman F. Maples
Firemen Rescue Woman
Camden Courier-Post —
Firemen Rescue Woman
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.
Firemen, Police File Pay Petition
Camden Courier-Post —
Ballot Question FIREMEN, POLICE FILE PAY PETITION
City police and firemen yesterday filed petitions to place their pay raise question on the ballot in the November election.
The petition contained nearly 17,000 signatures, nearly 36 per cent of the city’s 48,000 registered voters, according to Spencer Smith and John Odorisio, city clerk.
Spencer Smith, chairman of the joint pay-raise committee, said the city employes are seeking an across-the-board raise of $1,489.25 yearly. City police and firemen’s starting salaries are now $5,650.
More Than Needed
Jack Yeager, attorney for the police and firemen, said the next step in getting the pay question on the ballot would be certification of the petition by the city clerk and acceptance by City Council.
Smith said the committee had fine results in getting the large number of signatures in four days.
Yeager said police and firemen complied with both the election laws and provisions of the Faulkner Act in obtaining more than the necessary signatures. He said under the state’s election laws 20 per cent of the voter registration is required for petitions while the Faulkner Act requires 15 per cent.
Police and firemen have gone to the ballot six times since 1940 to gain pay hikes and have been successful in each bid. Twice city firemen used similar referendums and voter approval to shorten their work week which now stands at 42 hours.
Present at yesterday’s filing were Yeager, Smith, Leon Puszczykowski and James Asher, representing the fire department; and Jack Dease, Edward Hahn and Leo Tompkins of the police force. Tompkins is president of the local Fraternal Order of Police chapter.
Smith stated the proposed pay raise would increase the present tax rate by about 45 cents per $100 and would cost the average city homeowner about $24 a year.
He added that the proposed pay raise would be a great factor in recruiting men badly needed by both departments and would build morale for present members. He pointed out that the police department alone is now suffering from a shortage of nearly 100 men.
Survey Begun
Meanwhile, a Chicago consulting firm is conducting a survey of the police department, placing emphasis on the pay scale, according to Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman.
Tompkins last week said he was given assurance by both Mayor Alfred R. Pierce and Kauffman that they would be given a raise based on the findings of the city-hired survey team.
Nevertheless, police and firemen voted at a general membership meeting to go ahead with the referendum petition to safeguard their chances for a raise in the near future.
Firemen Oppose Ending Job
Camden Courier-Post —
Safety Director
Firemen Oppose Ending Job
By JAMES SMITH Courier-Post Staff
Three organizations, representing 90 per cent of Camden's 250 firemen, strongly protested the proposed abolition of the director of public safety to city council last night.
James R. Asher, battalion chief and president of Local 788 of the International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO, said firemen fear the division of the fire and police departments might result in a lack of protection for firemen during periods of civil strife.
He added that many firemen also feel that a disparity will result between the salaries and working conditions of policemen and themselves.
Have Common Boss
“If we have trouble in the streets and the chief of police, whoever he may be, decides he can’t spare officers to accompany firemen during alarms, we’ll be out there by ourselves,” Asher said.
He added, “We don’t want to be victims of this because as it stands now the chief of police and chief of the fire department are answerable to a common director.”
Chief of Police Harold Melleby is now acting director of public safety. He has proposed, in accordance with a recently-completed police department study, that the position of director be abolished and replaced with separate chiefs answerable to the mayor.
Not Included
Commenting on the survey report, Asher said it did not include the fire department and noted the recommendations only apply to the police department.
He said the proposal that police salaries be increased by at least $1,000 could result in a disparity with firemen’s salaries. Presently both make a base salary of $8,300.
Leon Puszczykowski, president of the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association, said abolishing the directorship “could put us in a very uncomfortable seat.”
Asher noted the purpose of the closed-door session was to inform council of the “seriousness of the problem.” He added that
Continued on Page 2—Col. 8
Firemen Oppose Ending Job
Continued from Page One
Spencer H. Smith Jr., president of the Police and Fire Association of Camden, could not attend due to ill health.
Council president Mrs. Elizabeth Hawk said she had no comment on the meeting. She said a meeting will be held with Mayor Alfred R. Pierce before any action is taken by council. Council recently met with Melleby.
John Marini, councilman, said he supports the police department “100 per cent” but noted that this does not necessarily reflect council’s view.
It was his belief the city should back its police force and law enforcement agencies. He said he could see no real problem that would be caused by abolishing the public safety director.
Spencer H. Smith Jr., Obituary
Camden Courier-Post —
SMITH, Spencer H., Jr.
On March 5, 2005, of Collingswood, after living most of his life in Fairview, NJ, age 90.
Beloved husband of Marie E. (nee Stewart). Dear father of the late Spencer H. Smith, III. Loving grandfather of Spencer H. Smith IV, Shauna Simone (Ken) and great grandfather of Tyler. He is also survived by his brother in law Charles Stewart, 2 wonderful nieces Amy Petello and Fay Smith, several other nieces and nephews and his best friend ‘Kitty Cat.’
Mr. Smith was a member of the Camden Fire Dept. for 29 years, served as Police and Fire Pension Commissioner for the State of NJ for 52 years, was a 2 term President of the State FMBA and a member of the Police and Fire Retired Mens Club of S.J.
Mr. Smith was also a Labor Liaison Officer for the City of Camden for 25 years, a 1 term City of Camden School Board Member, a member of ICAC of Fairview and the AARP. A private Memorial Mass was held at Transfiguration RC Church, Collingswood. In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial donations be made to the Animal Welfare Assoc. 509 Centennial Blvd., Voorhees, NJ 08043. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the CRERAN FUNERAL HOME, Oaklyn, NJ.
Fire Card
Spencer H. Smith Jr. — Camden Fire Department Personnel Card
Spencer H. Smith III, Obituary
SMITH, SPENCER H., III
On June 2, 2004, of Cherry Hill, NJ. Age 62 years.
Beloved husband of Betty Anne Smith (nee Baptiste). Dear father of Spencer H., IV. Loving son of Spencer H. and Marie Smith, Jr.
Mr. Smith retired in 1995 after 33 years of service as a detective with the Camden City Police Department. He was a member of Camden City Lodge #1 F.O.P. and Camden City Lodge #35 P.B.A. Mr. Smith was an avid country western music fan and a proud member of the Georges Jones Fan Club.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend His Memorial Service on Sun. 8PM at the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, 250 White Horse Pike, Audubon, NJ. Friends may call Sun. 6–8PM.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or The American Cancer Society, 1851 Old Cuthbert Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.