Members Recognitions - Silverton Volunteer Fire Company

Firefighter of the Year

Is in recognition of a member who best exemplifies the positive characteristics of a member of the fire service and who has a notable record of service and achievements.

2025 Robert Reynolds
2024 Chris Inglis
2023 Robert Reynolds
2022 Paul Sharpe
2021 Michael Mooney
2020 William “WILLY” Ihrig
2019 Jason Goldstein
2018 Chris Inglis
2017 Lou DeAngelo Sr
2016 No recipient picked by Chief Gary Tattersall
2015 No recipient picked by Chief Gary Tattersall
2014 John Reilly
2013 Michael Cocco
2012 Joe Veni
2011 Chris Hansson
2010 Brian Tillotson
2009 David Guziejewski
2008 Gary Tattersall
2007 Ken Taylor
2006 Lou DeAngelo Sr

Annual Presidents Award This award is in recognition of a member who displays a level of dedication that far exceeds his duties and obligations.

2025 Thomas Leonard
2024 Derrick Cytryn
2023 Devin Angelos
2023 John “Yanni” Paitakis
2022 Joseph Zangara
2021 No recipient picked by President Kevin Geoghegan
2020 John Reilly
2019 David Guziejewski
2018 John Addalia
2017 Joseph Zangara
2016 Joseph Pretto
2015 Michael Stanzione
2014 Thomas Leonard
2013 Frank Donnelly
2012 Fire Company Members for Super Storm Sandy Response
2011 Tony Maurillo
2010 Michael Stanzione
2009 Michael Cocco
2008 Michael Stanzione
2007 Don McGarry / William Dorman
2006 Thomas Leonard
2005 Don McGarry
2003 William Rawlins
2002 Thomas Morris Sr
2001 Thomas Leonard
2000 Michael Jahn
1999 Richard Strasser
1998 Art Maison
1997 Bob Clancy
1996 Don McGarry
1995 Joseph McManus

Recognition of Thirty Years of active firefighting service or more to the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company No 1 by order of the Fire Chief the following hooks are hereby retired from service:

Retired by order of Fire Chief Thomas W Morris effective January 15, 2000:

Hook # 1 Robert Kelly Sinnott 1966 to 1996
Hook # 11 John Jensen 1966 to 1996
Hook # 31 Thomas Morris Sr 1959 to 1999

Retired by order of Fire effective January 16, 2010:

Hook # 15 Richard Strasser 1978-2009
Hook # 7 Andy Jensen 1975-2010
Hook # 40 Kenneth Taylor 1977-2010
Hook # 54 John Reilly 1977-2010
Hook # 2 Scott Ireland 1977-2010
Hook # 49 Donald McGarry 1978-2010

Retired by order of Fire Chief Gus Baxes effective January 18, 2014:

Hook # 27 Joe Brown 1983-2013

Retired by order of the Fire Chief effective January 21, 2017:

Hook # 39 Lou DeAngelo 1986- 2016
Hook # 66 Kevin Geoghegan 1987-2017

Retired by order of the Fire Chief effective January 18, 2020:

Hook # 37 William Dorman 1989-2019
Hook # 42 Thomas Leonard 1988-2019

Retired by order of the Fire Chief John Keating Jr. effective April 18, 2026:

Hook # 25 William Ihrig 1995-2026
Hook # 42 Matt Tamaro 1996-2026

Chief Baron Training Center Top Honors Award

The Silverton Volunteer Fire Company congratulates the graduating Firefighter 1 class of the Toms River Fire Training Center especially to the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company members for being presented with the Milan “SPIKE” Baron Award for top recruit in the class based upon a combination of academic, physical fitness and practical evolution performance.

The plaque at the training center reads: ” In honor of Chief Baran’s dedication to this academy and to his great love for training and education. This award is presented to on recruit in each level 1 class for outstanding performance from a combination of high academic and practical scores.

Michael Willson 2002
Pete Sabey 2003
Gene Russo 2004
John Sullivan 2006
Maxwell Kenny 2013
William Carolan 2015
Jason Goldstein 2016
Bridget Badalis 2018
Michael Escott 2024
Donald MacCarrick 2024

Station 29 is proud of the above members to achieve this top honor and represent Silverton Fire Company.

LADIES AUXILIARY PRESIDENTS AWARD

This award is in recognition of a member who displays a level of dedication that far exceeds her duties and obligations.

2025 Doris Faronea
2024 Kelly Walker / Dana Foster
2023 Diane Garrison
2022 Tammy Seyforth
2021 Fran Velardo
2020 Ceil Cocco / Helen Kearney
2019 Donna Jones
2018 Diane Garrison
2017 Barbara Cumberton
2016 Rose Senatore
2015 Rosemary Pasqualetto / Jamie Justus
2014 Helen Kearney
2013 Joanne Naturile
2012 Ladies Members – Super Storm Sandy Response
2011 Rose Lemma
2010 Amy Baxes
2009 Aileen Addalia
2008 Dot Weinberger
2007 Joyce Devincentis
2006 Ceil Cocco / Ellen Sinnott / Alice DeAngelo
2005 Maria Oltarzewski / Edna De John
2004 Rose Pasqualetto / Raquel Cloos
2003 Josephine Ihrig / Debbie Teschner / Janet Burmeister
2002 Marylou Cenicola / Marie Kupers
2001 Florence Kernasovic / Rose Lenaghan
2000 Marge Estell / Scotty Clancy
1999 Cathy Leger / Rose Caulkins
1998 Dot Michal / Ellen Sinnott
1997 Helen Browne / Charolotte Abrahmsen
1996 Dot Weinberger / Helen Demchick
1995 Carmen Morris
1994 Betty Hansen

2021 Exceptional Service

Robert Reynolds
Joseph Veni

Exceptional Service – For a highly creditable accomplishment bringing public acclaim to the company, or the fire service in general as a result of training, devotion to duty in the company, or service to the public. Exceptional Service Award Commendation shall be orange.

2022 Medal of Courage for actions during a fatal structure fire 3/22/2022

John Keating Jr
Robert Reynolds
John Carolan

2022 Life Saving Award for actions during a fatal structure fire 3/22/2022

Paul Sharpe
Nicholas Mcginley

2022 Meritorious Service for actions during a fatal structure fire 3/22/2022

Joe Zangara
Brian Tillotson
Connor Shevlin
Tom Fischer

Meritorious Service – For a highly unusual accomplishment under adverse conditions with some degree of hazard to life and limb of the member, or where serious injury to a third party is prevented. Meritorious Service Award Commendation shall be Blue, White, and Green with the Blue to the left when viewed from the front.

2022 Medal of Gallantry for actions during a water rescue on 7/17/21

Fire Boat 2906 crew

Will Ihrig
Chris Inglis
Rich Gabriel
Kieran O’Hara

2022 Heroism Award for actions during a water rescue on 7/17/21

Squad 2913 crew

Joe Brown
Joe Zangaa
Joe Pretto
Chris Wilson
Jon Swift

2022 Medal of Gallantry for actions during submersion on 8/21/21

Dave McElwain
Keegan Shevlin
Rich Forster
Mike Hader

2022 Meritorious Service for actions during a submersion – CPR on land 8/21/21

Chris Inglis
Drew Calvo – Chief Sta 27

2022 Service Time Award

Chief Robert Clark – 55 years
Andy Jensen – 45 years
Lou DeAngelo- 35 years

2021 Mayor and Council of Toms River Township

Presentation to the membership and Ladies Aux for 70 years of service

2021 VFW Toms River Post 6063

Certificate of Appreciation – Recognition and highest praise for alertness and guardianship of life and property

2021 200 Club Award

John Carolan

June 2021 Valor award for his actions during a fatal structure fire on February 7, 2020.

2021 200 Club Award

John Reilly

June 2021 Exceptional Service for 44 years of active membership

2021 VFW Post 6063

John Pagano
Jay Veni
John Winiavski Jr
Jason Goldstein

June 2021 Crew of Engine 2931 for their actions during a fatal structure fire on February 7, 2020.

2020 Medal of Honor

For actions during a fatal structure fire 2/7/20

Jason Goldstein
Joseph Veni

Medal of Honor – For an outstanding individual act of heroism, in the line of duty, at imminent personal risk and hazard of life during fire department operations.

2020 Meritorious Service Award

Meritorious Service for actions during a structure fire 2/7/20

Engine 2911 Crew

John Pagano
John Winiiavski Jr

Toms River Police Officer & Fire Company Member

John Carolan # 426

2020 Exceptional Service Award

Thomas Fischer
Joseph Zangara

Exceptional Service – For a highly creditable accomplishment bringing public acclaim to the company, or the fire service in general as a result of training, devotion to duty in the company, or service to the public. Exceptional Service Award Commendation shall be orange.

2019 Outgoing Fire Police Captain

Michael Willson

2019 Exceptional Service Award

Daniel Dickman
Kieran O’Hara

2019 Meritorious Service Award

Meritorious Service for actions during a structure fire 1/1/19

Engine 2911 Crew

Michael Mooney
John Keating
Max Kenny
Jason Goldstein
Salem Bahr
Chris Hansson

2019 Apparatus Engineers Recognition

Sean Walker
Todd Boden
John Addalia
Kieran O’Hara
Chris Inglis
Tom Fischer
Mike Willson
Brian Tillotson
Joe Zangara
Rich Gabriel
Connor Shevlin
Dave Guziejewski
John Winiavski Jr

2018 Outgoing Fire Police Captain

John Reilly

2018 Exceptional Service Award

John Addalia
Mike Stanzione

2018 Citizens Award

For his actions with EMS assist at Lenny’s Silverton Market – Hooper Ave

Honorary Member Adam Arms

2018 Medal of Honor

For actions during a fatal structure fire 2/14/17

Rob Leach

2018 Meritorious Service Award

For actions during a fatal structure fire 2/14/17

Ladder 2905 Crew

Michael Cocco
Frank Civitano
Joe Zangara
Kris Picola (Pleasant Plains FD)
Ed Ruhl (Pleasant Plains FD)
Nick Mcginley (Pleasant Plains FD)

2018 Honorable Service Award

For actions during a fatal structure fire 2/14/17

Engine 2911 Crew

Lt Chris Hansson
Capt Chris Silva
Brian Tillotson
Kieran OHara
Jason Goldstein

Rescue 2917 Crew

Dana Mitchell
Joe Brown
Sara Brezniak
Capt Joe Catapano (sta 28)

2018 Honorary Member Inductee

The Cataldo Family – Owners of Johnny G’s Italian Restaurant

2017 200 Club Award

Robert Leach

June 2017 Valor award for his actions during a fatal structure fire on February 14, 2017.

2017 Toms River Elks “Citizen of the Year”

Robert Leach

April 2017 Toms River Elks Grand Exulted Ruler Pug Lightbody presented Firefighter Rob Leach with the Elk of the Year award for is actions during a fatal structure fire on February 14,2017.

2016 Award of Merit

John Carolan

April 2016 Without personal safety or concern, entered a house filled with smoke, located the victim unconscious in the kitchen and removed the victim to the front of the house and assisted with CPR.

2016 200 Club Award

John Carolan

April 2016 Without personal safety or concern, entered a house filled with smoke, located the victim unconscious in the kitchen and removed the victim to the front of the house and assisted with CPR.

2016 VFW Fireman of the year

Michael Cocco

June 2016 Outstanding volunteer of the year – VFW Post # 6063

2014 Special Presentation

Chief Brian Doyle (Station 30)Toms River Fire Officers Association District 2

Thank you as President and Awards Ceremony Chairman

2014 Award of Merit

Michael Cocco

Dedication to the company for Fire Prevention, Explorer Post and Fall Festival

2014 Distinguished Service Award

Captain Steve Henry – Toms River Police Department

Upon retirement – Thank you for your support of the fire service by the TRPD

2013 Distinguished Service Award

Members and Ladies Aux
October 29, 2012 to January 1, 2014 Super Storm Sandy Response / Community Actions

2013 Distinguished Service Award

Police Chief Michael Mastronardy – Toms River Police Department

Upon retirement – Thank you for your support of the fire service by the TRPD

2013 VFW EMS of the year

Kevin Geoghegan

2013 Outstanding Fire Fighter/EMT of the year – VFW Post # 6063

2013 200 Club Award

Silverton Fire Company # 1

Acknowledgement for actions and assistance to Ocean County during Hurricane Sandy 10/29/12

2013 Life Saving Award

Dan Dickman

June 25, 2012, 2 separate ocean water rescue of 9 swimmers who got caught in a rip current with no lifeguards on duty.

2011 Award of Merit

Michael Cocco, Frank Civitano, Drew Calvo, Patrick Mabie

2011 8 year old swimming pool submersion victim

2011 Distinguished Service Award

Dana Mitchell

Dedicated service to the Toms River Fire Department

2010 Award of Merit

Rex Hayes

2010 Sixty Years of Service

Charter Member / Chief Robert Weil

2010 Citizens Heroism Award

Citizen Tom DeMichael

March 14, 2010 Without personal safety or concern, entered a house fire on Aldo Drive, located a victim unconscious on the stairs and removed the victim to the front lawn.

2007 Award of Merit

Robert Weil

2007 Award of Merit

John Reilly

March 2006 observed and obtained information on arson suspects for a 7 alarm fire.

2007 Probationary Firefighter of the Year

Michael Stanzione

2005 200 Club Award

Frank Donnelly

Meritorious Service Award
Life long distinguished career and record of achievement in the fire service.

2004 200 Club Award

Will Ihrig
Valor Award

March 14, 2003 and April 15, 2003 rescue of two victims from their burning residences

2004 Ocean County Fire Chiefs Assoc.

Robert Kelly Sinnott

LIfe long distinguished service and dedication to the fire service of Ocean County, NJ

2003 200 Club Award

Robert Weil

Meritorious Service Award
Life long distinguished career and record of achievement in the fire service.

1997 Life Saving Rescue

Steve Henry and Kevin Geoghegan

Live Saving Rescue and Resuscitation
June 26, 1997 12 year old swimming pool submersion victim

1997 200 Club Award

Louis DeAngelo Jr.
Valor Award

March 1997 Extraordinary bravery at a motor vehicle accident rescuing a victim from electrocution risk

1997 200 Club Award

Scott Ireland
Valor Award

December 30,1997 Disregard for his own safety at a fully engulfed house fire in Holiday City.