Vincent “Chief” Dransfield, a lifelong resident of Passaic County, New Jersey, died peacefully at his home in Little Falls on June 26, 2024.
As reported by The Star-Ledger, he was 110 years old.
Dransfield was born on March 28, 1914, in Paterson, New Jersey.
He moved to Little Falls in 1945 and lived independently for the rest of his life.
He joined the Singac Volunteer Fire Company #3 at the age of 21, serving for over 80 years, including eight years as chief.
Dransfield remained active with the fire company until 2019 and was proud to be the oldest living firefighter in the country.
Dransfield’s contributions to the fire department were notable.
He served as the third in command during active fires, managing the pumps on the fire truck well into his 80s.
His dedication earned him the respect and admiration of his peers.
He was known for his routine visits to the firehouse every afternoon, where he and his colleagues, the “3 to 5 club,” would gather to discuss various topics.
In addition to his firefighting career, Dransfield worked in several managerial roles.
During World War II, he managed operations at the Schmid company, which supplied condoms to U.S. troops.
He later worked at Crane Motors in Little Falls for 25 years and held another position in the automotive parts industry before retiring.
Vincent Dransfield was remembered in his obituary for his sharp wit and excellent memory.
His family and friends cherished his humor and intelligence.
His daughter, Beverly Howard, along with her husband Glenn, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, survive him.
Dransfield’s wife of 54 years, Ann Dransfield, predeceased him in 1992.
His life story includes humble beginnings, dropping out of school at 15 to support his family, and working on a dairy farm.
He delivered milk to renowned boxer Joe Louis in the mid-1930s.
Dransfield’s long life was marked by his service, dedication, and the many relationships he formed.
