By Claudia Vargas
DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ — Before pagers and house alert systems, volunteer firefighters in Deptford Township had to keep one ear cocked at all times to hear their company siren.
“Whoever showed up, showed up,” former Tacoma Fire Company Chief Mike Gallagher said.
But residents could always count on at least one Tacoma firefighter: Harold “Bubby” Angeroth.
“He would say, ‘When the siren blows, it’s because someone needs our help.’ . . . We weren’t getting invited to a barbecue,” said Gallagher, who considered Chief Angeroth a mentor.
Chief Angeroth, 89, a Tacoma Company member since 1937, died of a stroke Saturday in his Westville Grove home.
Under Chief Angeroth’s leadership from 1959 to 1983, Tacoma grew from a small independent company whose firefighters would pay for the fire trucks’ gas to a better-financed and organized firehouse.
The company now has a few paid members, and the Deptford Township Board of Fire Commissioners covers most costs.
“He was one of the big supporters of having paid daytime staff,” Gallagher said.
In the 1970s, Chief Angeroth had lockers installed so firefighters could organize turnout gear. Previously, most of the gear was kept in a truck, all mixed together.
“The reason Tacoma Fire is here today is because of Bubby,” current Chief Rick Thomas said.
Chief Angeroth taught almost all the firefighters who run the company now. One of his specialties was pumping water from the trucks.
Last month, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Legislature and Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders. He previously was inducted into the Deptford Township Volunteer Hall of Fame.
Born in Camden, Chief Angeroth attended Audubon High School until 10th grade. Following in his father’s footsteps, he joined the Tacoma Fire Company and took pride in the job right away.
He served in the Army from 1941 to 1945, going to various countries in Europe. When he returned from World War II, he went back to the fire company.
By trade, Chief Angeroth worked as an ironworker until the early 1980s. After his retirement, he continued as a firefighter, running out on call until the late 1990s.
Though he wasn’t an active member in recent years, Chief Angeroth dropped by the firehouse almost every day.
When not putting out blazes, he enjoyed hunting, bowling, and waterskiing.
Chief Angeroth is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rita; a brother; and a sister. Though he had no children, he considered his wife’s three granddaughters and two great-grandchildren his own, said Rita Jayne Bobo, one of the granddaughters.
A viewing will be held today from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., followed by a funeral at 11:30, at the McGuinness Funeral Home, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury.
A procession of about 20 fire trucks will leave the funeral home and pass the Tacoma Fire Company and Chief Angeroth’s home on its way to Woodbury Memorial Park in West Deptford, where he will be buried with fire service and military honors.
Copyright 2010 Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC
All Rights Reserved